It was clear what Matt Painter wanted from Purdue basketball in its first tune-up of the season: A tough environment and an opportunity to learn about his team against an opponent.
The Boilermakers lost 78-65 at Kentucky on Friday night, and it is the third straight season Purdue has lost a road exhibition. Things have turned out fine thereafter with a Final Four and Sweet 16 appearance.
Still, that doesn’t make some of the things that popped up concerning. Kentucky used its length and speed to blow by Purdue in the halfcourt, beating Boilermaker rotations to find driving lanes or open shots on the perimeter.
Here’s a recap of the game, final stats, trends and more.
Purdue basketball final stats at UK tonight
Purdue basketball score tonight at UK, final score in loss at Kentucky
Kentucky had a clear scout on the game, and was rather impressive against a slightly different Boilermakers team.
Kentucky 78, Purdue 65
Liam Murphy enters for first time for Purdue basketball
This is the first time we’ve seen North Florida transfer Liam Murphy tonight. Here’s IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird’s story on him:
Fletcher Loyer stats, Purdue basketball score tonight at UK
Fletcher Loyer started the game 3 for 4 and was the leading scorer with 10 points at half. But since that shooting start, he has missed 11 shots and only scored four more points in that stretch.
Purdue has not improved its shooting. It is 8 for 25 in the half and 1 for 10 on 3-pointers. Kentucky is 14 for 27 and 4 for 11 on 3s.
Kentucky 74, Purdue 57, 3:05 2H
Oscar Cluff extends defense, forces turnover. When did Purdue basketball score last?
The Boilermakers have missed nine straight shots and have been field goal-less over the last 5:36. Oscar Cluff extended his defense to the perimeter, twice getting deflections and forcing a Kentucky turnover.
Purdue basketball offense shift for this season
The Boilermakers have had a shift in their offense noticeable tonight: Braden Smith is setting screens for Trey Kaufman-Renn to allow the big man to get into the mid-range or low post area for scoring opportunities.
NCAA basketball rankings
The USA TODAY LBM coaches rankings had Purdue voted No. 1, as did the AP poll, and Kentucky ninth.
Purdue basketball score tonight at UK
Kentucky has held serve since its burst from the first to second media timeouts this half. Though both teams are on a scoring drought: Kentucky of 2:16 and Purdue of 3:24.
Kentucky 60, Purdue 50, 7:07 2H
Daniel Jacobsen hits a 3-pointer for Purdue basketball at UK
I didn’t have that on my bingo card: 7-foot-4 Purdue center Daniel Jacobsen hit a 3-pointer from the top of the arc. It cut the lead to 58-50. That floor spacing, albeit in limited spurts with a long windup, will help.
Purdue basketball score today at UK
Omer Mayer checks in for Braden Smith as Purdue goes to a smaller lineup out of the break.
Kentucky 56, Purdue 45, 11:45 1H
Jack Benter Purdue forward reenters game. Where is Raleigh Burgess?
The Boilermakers are turning to Jack Benter this season for extra frontcourt depth. The freshman was healthy over the offseason and made strides. He’s a player both Matt Painter and Trey Kaufman-Renn were impressed by.
That made it difficult for Raleigh Burgess, a reserve as a freshman last season, to find minutes after recovering from an offseason foot surgery. So, he will redshirt and preserve his year of eligibility.
Purdue basketball score today at Kentucky. Trey Kaufman-Renn stats
Trey Kaufman-Renn had scored 14 of 18 Purdue points before the last Braden Smith lay-up. Kaufman-Renn missed his first four shots but has found a rhythm and is 6 for 8 since, settling Purdue’s offense.
Kentucky 44, Purdue 40, 15:14 2H
Oscar Cluff, Purdue’s starting center, is a transfer
Oscar Cluff transferred to Purdue in the offseason, a Boilermaker he was destined to be as IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird wrote. He was the nation’s second-leading rebounder at South Dakota State last season. He won the starting job, for tonight at least, due to his rebounding. Here’s more on Cluff:
Braden Smith stats, Trey Kaufman-Renn stats, Fletcher Loyer stats
Purdue basketball’s big three has had some good and bad. Braden Smith is getting to his spots on drives and finding passing lanes despite the ‘Cats’ length. Smith has six points, four rebounds and four assists but is 2 for 6.
Trey Kaufman-Renn has eight points and three rebounds, finding his rhythm after a slow start in his first eight minutes. Kaufman-Renn is 3 for 8 after an 0-for-4 start.
Meanwhile Fletcher Loyer leads all scorers with 10 points and is 3 for 8 and 2 for 4 on 3-pointers.
Purdue basketball score today at Kentucky, Boilermakers trail at halftime
Purdue has struggled shooting on the road in the first half. It is 10 for 27 and 2 for 7 on 3-pointers with five turnovers. Kentucky, meanwhile, is converting 46.7% of its attempts and is 5 for 16 on 3-pointers.
Kentucky 38, Purdue 30, HALF
Fletcher Loyer stats today for Purdue basketball
Purdue’s leading scorer is Fletcher Loyer with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting. He is 2 for 4 on 3-pointers and is the only Purdue player with a make from the perimeter.
Purdue basketball score today at Kentucky. Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn points
Matt Painter said Thursday that they were not preparing for Friday’s exhibition with a full scout. The speed of Kentucky has had an impact on the Boilermakers, but it seems as if they’re adjusting to it.
Still, Braden Smith (six points) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (four) are a combined 3 for 11 and the Boilers are 8 for 20. Meanwhile Kentucky is 12 for 25.
Kentucky 31, Purdue 24, 3:47 1H
Who is Antione West Jr? Purdue basketball freshman from Toledo
Perhaps somewhat surprising, even in an exhibition, is that freshman Antione West Jr. is getting a look here in the first half at Kentucky. He’s a player the Boilermakers coaches are high on. Here’s more on West:
Purdue basketball score today at Kentucky
The Boilermakers have had better effort, especially with their bench unit and sustained when the starters came back in. Yet the lead has grown, albeit by a point.
Kentucky 24, Purdue 20, 7:21 1H
Omer Mayer wins loose ball, plays alongside Braden Smith for Purdue basketball
Talented Israeli freshman Omer Mayer dove on the floor near midcourt for a loose ball and tossed it into the frontcourt, leading to a Gicarri Harris layup and-one. Mayer and Braden Smith are on the court together, something they’re still trying to figure out:
Who is Jack Benter? Purdue basketball high on freshman
The Boilermakers are giving Jack Benter key minutes during the first half at Kentucky. He had an impressive summer as one of the few healthy frontcourt players on campus this summer. Here’s more from IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird:
Purdue basketball score today at Kentucky, Boilermakers struggling early
Braden Smith is getting to his spots but is 1 for 4, and Trey Kaufman-Renn is 0 for 4. The Boilermakers have also had struggles defensively with slow rotations. Purdue is converting 4 of 12 shots with two turnovers whereas Kentucky is 6 for 14.
And yet, it’s still a one-possession game.
Kentucky 15, Purdue 12, 11:02 1H
Trey Kaufman-Renn stats tonight in Purdue basketball game at Kentucky
Trey Kaufman-Renn has struggled in his return to playing the four. He was 0-for-4 with two rebounds when he came off the floor after seven and a half minutes. He’s had several open mid-range push shots and isn’t getting a friendly rim.
Kentucky basketball injury updates for Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance
The Wildcats are without a pair of starters, including Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe and possible top-10 NBA draft pick Jayden Quaintance.
Purdue basketball score today at Kentucky. Braden Smith stats tonight
Fletcher Loyer and Otega Oweh are the leading scorers with five apiece. Braden Smith has two points, a rebound and an assist, plus he set up South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff with a pass leading to a foul and a free throw make.
Kentucky 10, Purdue 8, 15:40 1H
Matt Painter award named for John Wooden
Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter was announced Oct. 14 as the 50th Legends of Coaching Award recipient named after John Wooden, a former player at Purdue.
Fletcher Loyer hits 3-pointer for Purdue basketball’s first bucket
How about that? The first bucket of the season, even in exhibition, is a Fletcher Loyer 3-pointer.
Purdue basketball uniforms today at Kentucky
The Boilermakers are wearing their black jerseys with gold lettering, numbers and trim.
Kentucky basketball star Otega Oweh’s brother is NFL linebacker Odafe Oweh
For those wondering, Otega Oweh’s brother is NFL linebacker Odafe Oweh, who is with the Los Angeles Chargers. Odafe had three tackles and a sack of Carson Wentz in the Chargers’ 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
Here’s our story from March about Otega Oweh and his brother:
Kentucky basketball starting lineup vs Purdue
The Wildcats will start Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen, Trent Noah, Brandon Garrison and Mouhamed Dioubate.
Purdue basketball starting lineup at Kentucky
Matt Painter announced Thursday that his first 5 are Braden Smith, C.J. Cox, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff.
Purdue basketball during pregame warmups at Rupp Arena
Take a glance at a few photos posted by the Boilermakers during pregame at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena. Featured are Fletcher Loyer and Israeli freshman Omer Mayer.
Purdue basketball arrives at Rupp Arena through Gicarri Harris
The Boilermakers posted a fun look at their arrival at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena through the eyes of sophomore guard Gicarri Harris.
What time does Purdue basketball play Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 24? Start time for Kentucky basketball vs Purdue on Friday, Oct. 24
The Purdue-Kentucky game is at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Where to watch Purdue basketball vs. Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 24? What channel is the Kentucky-Purdue college basketball game on Friday, Oct. 24?
TV: SEC Network
Watch college basketball with a free Fubo trial
Purdue basketball scouting report
Nathan Baird, IndyStar: “We will finally have a better sense of where the Boilermakers stand defensively. That includes the impact of Daniel Jacobsen’s rim protection and the backcourt’s ability to prevent dribble penetration against athletes such as Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe (if healthy).”
Where to listen to Purdue basketball vs. Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 24?
Radio: 96.5 FM in Lafayette, 1260 AM in Indianapolis, Learfield network
Who are Purdue’s best players? Purdue basketball roster
Braden Smith (15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds in 2024-25) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds) are preseason All-Americans. They and Fletcher Loyer (13.8 points, 44.4% 3-pointers) are in the starting lineup for at least their third seasons.
Who is Kentucky basketball’s best player?
Otega Oweh (16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals in 2024-25) is a preseason All-American. Several key players transferred in from other programs, including Denzel Aberdeen from national champion Florida.
Purdue basketball schedule: upcoming games
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball vs Kentucky final score, stats, recap: Boilers lose another road exhibition
Reporting by Aaron Ferguson, Nathan Baird and Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
