WEST LAFAYETTE — A difficult loss to Michigan State came with a silver lining.
Purdue basketball outrebounded the Spartans.
Entering Thursday, Feb. 26’s game at Mackey Arena, Michigan State was outrebounding opponents by an average of 12.7 per game. The Spartans hadn’t been outrebounded since last season’s Sweet 16 victory over Ole Miss.
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“When I looked at their stats, whether it was away or home, or last five or the whole season or conference, people, there will be something in a category to where someone is not great in one of those,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “They are great in rebounding in all of them.”
During a 76-74 loss in which the Boilers were doomed by Michigan State’s 19 points off turnovers, Purdue nearly offset it by doing something no one had done against the Spartans to date.
Purdue outrebounded Michigan State 27-25, helping to outscore the Spartans 16-6 on second-chance points.
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“We knew that going into every game, you want to see what they’re great at. I thought we did our job rebounding,” said Purdue fifth-year senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who had a game-high six rebounds. “We were plus-two on the boards against one of the best rebounding teams in the country, but the part we didn’t do is we didn’t keep the ball in front of us whether in ball screens or just off the dribble drive. They got where they wanted and at that point, it’s kind of hard.”
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Trey Kaufman-Renn #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Mackey Arena on February 26, 2026 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Last season, rebounding was a weakness. Purdue ranked 245th in offensive rebounding and 304th in defensive rebounding.
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The Boilermakers addressed it by luring South Dakota State’s Oscar Cluff from the transfer portal. That, combined with Kaufman-Renn averaging a career-high nine rebounds per game this season, has flipped a weakness into a strength.
Before Thursday’s game, the Boilers ranked 16th nationally in rebound rate.
But, even with a silver lining, Painter pointed to the scoreboard.
“You get gauged on that final score,” he said. “And they scored more than us.”
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball outrebounded Michigan State, a rare feat
