Purdue's Matt Painter Focuses on

Purdue's season came to an end on Friday, losing to Houston in the Sweet 16. With the offseason underway, Coach Matt Painter is already focusing on making improvements to the team.

Painter emphasized that Purdue needs more physicality, saying, "We do need more physicality. That's what we need. And that's not their fault. That's my fault. We need to have a more physical team."

In pursuit of this goal, Painter has already secured a commitment from Oscar Cluff, an elite rebounder from South Dakota State. Cluff was second in the country in rebounds per game and first in defensive rebounding percentage.

Purdue struggled with defensive rebounding this season, ranking just average in that category. The Boilermakers were also one of the worst defensive teams inside the arc, allowing opponents to shoot 55.6% on two-point attempts.

Cluff, a 6'11" player, was named to the All-Defensive Team in the Summit League this season.

Painter's approach to adding players to the program is focused on character and makeup rather than just recruiting new talent. He said, "Ultimately, we don't need to go out and get a different player. We just need to keep getting the same guys with the same character and the same makeup that we've been getting."

Painter also emphasized the importance of putting in the work during the offseason, saying, "If you don't like where you are, improve. Get better. That's the one thing we've tried to do with guys is dominate the summer. Dominate the fall. Get yourself in a better position than you are."

Purdue has made the Sweet 16 in three of the last four seasons and has been a No. 4 seed or better in each of the last eight NCAA Tournaments. Painter is confident that the team will continue its success next season, saying, "I know this, we'll have a good team next year."