Trey Kaufman-Renn Not Taking Any Game Lightly: 'I Want to Win Everything'

Don't tell Purdue junior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn that the Big Ten Tournament doesn't matter. That opinion might be held by fans, but the Boilermakers star views it as another opportunity to bring a championship back to West Lafayette.

On Friday night, Purdue will have a chance to secure a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a win over Illinois. The Boilermakers would finish inside the top-four of the conference standings and wouldn't have a game in the event until Friday.

Kaufman-Renn said that's a pretty big incentive heading into the regular season finale, as it would give Purdue some extra time to rest before pursuing a second Big Ten Tournament title in three seasons.

And, make no mistake, bringing a Big Ten Tournament title back to West Lafayette is the goal, especially after Purdue failed to reach its first goal this season — winning a third straight league title.

So, for those who think the Big Ten Tournament isn't a big deal, Kaufman-Renn disagrees.

"We want to win every game we go into. Like last year, I'd like to win the Big Ten, the Big Ten Tournament and go to a Final Four," Kaufman-Renn said. "I don't think I'm ever saying, 'Oh, let's lose this game so we can get rest.' I'm trying to win everything when I step on the floor."

Kaufman-Renn has won two Big Ten titles, a Big Ten Tournament championship and appeared in the National Championship Game since his arrival in West Lafayette. He'd like to add another trophy to his collection.

But first, Kaufman-Renn and the Boilermakers are headed to Champaign to close out the regular season against Illinois. A win would make Purdue's life in the Big Ten Tournament a little bit easier.

Related stories on Purdue basketball