AI-assisted summary

Purdue defeated Akron 97-79, giving coach Matt Painter his 500th career victory.

After a slow start, the Boilermakers dominated the final 30 minutes with strong defense and rebounding.

Trey Kaufman-Renn secured his second consecutive double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The win against a strong mid-major team like Akron is seen as valuable experience for the NCAA tournament.

WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue basketball ’s most recent conquests share more in common than their alphabetical proximity.

The No. 1 Boilermakers followed Thursday’s win at Alabama with Sunday’s 97-79 thumping of Akron at Mackey Arena. Those are both NCAA tournament-quality wins — even if that took a moment, or a few minutes — to sink in.

Matt Painter now owns 500 career victories an

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