Matt Painter Thankful for Sacrifices Made by Caleb Furst, Ethan Morton During Purdue's Final Four Run

Players like Zach Edey, Braden Smith and Lance Jones receive a lot of attention for Purdue's success. But coach Matt Painter wants to make sure guys like Caleb Furst and Ethan Morton get respect for their sacrifice during this magical run.

Dustin Schutte | Apr 7, 2024

Apr 7, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter answers questions during / IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports

When you think about Purdue's success this season, names like Zach Edey, Braden Smith and Lance Jones immediately come to mind. But Matt Painter doesn't want anyone to overlook any of his players — especially guys like Caleb Furst and Ethan Morton, who have sacrificed so much.

Both Furst and Morton were regular starters for the Boilermakers during the 2022-23 campaign. That was a Purdue team that finished the year with a 29-6 record and won the Big Ten regular season and Big Ten Tournament titles.

This year, though, the roles for both players have been reduced. Furst and Morton saw playing time during the regular season but the minutes have been almost non-existent for both veteran players since the beginning of the NCAA Tournament.

While Painter knows guys like Edey, Smith and Jones will get plenty of recognition for their play on the court, he wants to make sure Furst and Morton also receive the respect they deserve.

"When you make a statement, Would we be here without Zach Edey? Braden Smith? No. As you start to trickle down as a coach, you realize importance," Painter said during his media availability on Sunday. "I had two guys that didn't play for me last night, Caleb Furst and Ethan Morton. They started for me the year before. With their attitudes, the way they've handled things, been professional as young people, we wouldn't be here without them either. It's a big part of our team. It pains me that they don't play. It's hard for me as a person to do that. I want it to work for each individual."

Purdue was incredibly successful last season, but after an early exit from the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Painter knew he had to make some changes. That meant surrounding Edey and Smith with better offensive players — Myles Colvin, Camden Heide, Mason Gillis and Jones fit the bill.

As Painter tightened his rotations in the postseason, Furst and Morton saw fewer and fewer minutes on the floor. And, in some cases, haven't even seen the court. It's not a move the coach wants to make, but one that is necessary.

"At the end of the day, I have to make decisions that are best for Purdue. It's also best for circling around Zach and circling and Braden and our core guys, how they do it. We've really went to a more offensive front to where we're putting as much skill out on the court as possible," Painter said.

While Furst and Morton may not see much playing time, they have been vital for Purdue's success during this run to the national title game. Painter can't thank those two veterans — and everyone on his roster — enough.

"I'm appreciative of those guys, appreciative of the guys on our scout team. People that come to Purdue, they don't come to be on the scout team, they come to play," he said.

"When you don't, you have to be on the scout team, do those things, man, to be able to swallow your pride and do it, try to help us, I have a lot of respect for that. I appreciate those guys."

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