Purdue goes into the 2025-26 college basketball season with the biggest possible bullseye across its chest. The Boilermakers enter their Nov. 4 season opener at home against Evansville ranked No. 1 in the preseason for the first time in program history. It's easy to see why: Their best players are back in unanimous preseason All-American Braden Smith and forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who joined Smith on some All- America lists. "Being ranked No. 1 in the preseason is a great indicator of what we feel this team can accomplish," said Purdue coach Matt Painter. "But the goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the year. We're thrilled that people think this highly of our team, but there is a long way to go and a lot of work to do to reach that goal in April." Smith, Kaufman-Renn and 3-point sharpshoote

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