WEST LAFAYETTE — One Purdue men’s basketball redshirt decision is in, though it may not be the last.
Boilermakers coach Matt Painter confirmed Thursday second-year big man Raleigh Burgess will use a redshirt this season. He said further discussion for other players could follow after the two exhibition games between now and Wednesday.
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Burgess came back healthy from offseason foot surgery and was cleared for full activity at the start of preseason practice. However, Purdue’s frontcourt is full. Daniel Jacobsen and South Dakota state transfer Oscar Cluff will play the bulk of minutes at center. Trey Kaufman-Renn can play there as well, but he will start at the 4, backed up by stretch 4s, Jack Benter and Liam Murphy.
Painter went through this same process a year ago, ultimately deciding to keep Burgess active. He played sparing bench minutes most of the season, and those became smaller when a foot injury cropped up in January.
Burgess told IndyStar last month. He was enthused about his progress both from the injury and as a second year player. However, he also saw the value of protecting a year of eligibility. Assuming he stays on redshirt, he will have three more years of eligibility.
From last week: Raleigh Burgess healthier, wiser and perhaps again on the roster fringe
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Painter said additional decisions could be made after the exhibition games. Freshmen can play in the exhibitions without burning a redshirt, but cannot play in even one regular season game without doing so.
Purdue’s backcourt is also quite loaded. Behind starters Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and C.J. Cox, and important second-year player Gicarri Harris, Purdue brought in freshmen: Omer Mayer, an Israeli with significant international experience, and Antoine West Jr., a combo guard prospect from Toledo’s Whitmer High School.
By all accounts, everyone in that guard group has played well over the summer and into preseason camp. Painter also likes the long-term potential of all of the younger people in that group. All can help Purdue win right now, but by sheer numbers, it might make sense to set someone aside for one year to maximize the length of their career.
Insider: Does Purdue basketball’s No. 1 preseason ranking predict March Madness success?
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The potential of this team likely makes it more difficult for a player to take an inactive role. Purdue is the preseason No. 1 in both major polls and is the betting favorite to win the national championship.
Everyone on the roster obviously wants to be an active participant in that on any given night.
Everyone on the roster also wants to maximize their college careers, though. When Painter references the sacrifices necessary to win a championship, these are the decisions he’s talking about.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Raleigh Burgess to redshirt for Purdue basketball, stats, foot injury
