5
Nov
Men's Digest
The Oscar Cluff era starts at Purdue
Oscar Cluff #45 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts during the first half of the NCAA basketball between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Evansville Purple Aces at Mackey Arena on November 4, 2025 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images
A potential future Boomers big man impressed in his Big 10 debut with the Boilermakers
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The Oscar Cluff era has officially begun at the Purdue University Boilermakers after the Aussie big helped his team to a convincing win to start the season.
Cluff was just one of many Aussies in action on day two of the NCAA Division 1 men's season. It comes after fellow Aussie big man Alex Condon featured on day one.
Basketball.com.au will have a daily update on some of the notable and top Aussie performers across college basketball, along with features and in-depth analysis from our expert Michael Houben.
Also stay up to date with the latest on our socials, including @bouncepass on Instagram, @bouncepassau on X and basketball.com.au on Facebook for all your latest 'Aussies in the NCAA' news.
NCAA Box Score: Purdue Boilermakers vs Evansville Purple Aces
The King of Triple-Doubles in Sunshine Coast product Oscar Cluff just fell short of one in his first game for the Purdue Boilermakers in his first game under Matt Painter.
Cluff, who transferred to Purdue from the South Dakota Jackrabbits, had nine points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes as Purdue beat Evansville 82-51 at the Mackey Arena.
The Australian centre was a standout performer in the Summit League last season, posting impressive averages of 17 points and 12 rebounds per game last season.
Cluff's transfer catapulted Purdue, a Big 10 school, into the National Championship conversation.
Basketball.com.au's Brayden Heslehurst caught up with Cluff's family about the move to Purdue earlier this year.
"(The move) is all about how good the coaching staff are in developing bigs. Oscar sees he still has a long way to go in his development," his dad, Stephen Cluff, said.
Fellow Aussie and Queenslander Joshua Hughes 15 points and 11 rebounds for Evansville.
NCAA Box Score: Fordham Rams vs NJIT Highlanders
Another Queensland big man in Abass Bodija had an impressive game for Fordham despite the team's 72-61 loss to the NJIT Highlanders.
Bodija, from the South West Metro Pirates in Brisbane, had seven points and six rebounds in the 11-point defeat.
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