WEST LAFAYETTE – What's Matt Painter to do? The Purdue coach wants to win, play well, utilize depth and maximize potential. But here's the dilemma. He's never had so many quality players at the same time and minutes are limited.

Painter has got the top six players back from a Sweet 16 team. He's got a vastly improved sophomore guard in Ryne Smith. He's got a strong four-player newcomer group set to contribute.

Previous Painter teams have gone eight deep. This No. 7 group could go as many as 12.

So how does he handle it?

“I don't know,” he said. “This is the first time we've had this kind of depth.”

Painter points to last year's Michigan State team. Coach Tom Izzo used a deep bench to build a Final Four run.

“They did a great job in bringing guys along as freshmen,” Painter said. “By the end of the year that proved to be a valuable asset.

“At times we could play 10 to 12 guys. I don't know if we'll stay with it.”

Purdue played 15 of its 17 players – forward Sandi Marcius was out with an injury, guard Lewis Jackson was suspended — in last Tuesday's 78-44 exhibition win over California of Pennsylvania. It might do the same in Monday night's exhibition finale against NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan.

The season begins Nov. 13 against Cal State Northridge, and Painter has no clue on what rotation he'll use.

“Where do you find the minutes?” he asked. “In the end, recruiting cures it all. You get good players to push the other guys.”

One newcomer doing a lot of pushing is freshman D.J. Byrd. He came off the bench for 11 points, five fouls, five turnovers and zero assists against California.

“He did some good things,” Painter said, “but he has to understand in moving to college he needs to be a shot-maker and not a playmaker.

“He makes open shots. He's aggressive. He has to be simple. He has to play within himself and be solid. Make shots and keep it simple.”

Byrd worked on simplicity and shooting two hours before the California game. He'll likely do the same thing before the Kentucky Wesleyan game

“I was trying to get the jitters out,” he said. “I got in a hurry a couple of times. I have to be solid with the ball and learn from the upperclassmen as much as I can.

“I could have done a lot better. I still have to make strides. I try to do what Coach Painter says.”

He also tries to do what his father says. The elder Byrd shouted at his son from the stands to stop fouling moments before Byrd fouled out.

“I heard that,” the younger Byrd said with a smile. “It didn't work.”