WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue’s point guard Braden Smith took the previous game’s loss to Ohio State deeply to heart. On Friday night, he made a powerful statement right from the tip-off.
Smith turned a steal on the opening play into a breakaway layup, ultimately finishing with an impressive line of 24 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and four steals in 37 minutes of action. The No. 11 Boilermakers delivered a resounding 91-64 victory against No. 21 Michigan. “I was really upset after the Ohio State game,” Smith mentioned, reflecting on the loss that snapped Purdue’s impressive 26-game home winning streak. “I felt responsible for letting my team down. Even if others say it’s not my fault, that’s how I view it as a competitor.”
Since his arrival on campus three years ago, Smith has established himself as a formidable player. Together with shooting guard Fletcher Loyer, he secured a starting role during their freshman year, and he has claimed all-Big Ten honors for the past two seasons. Yet, he often played second fiddle to the towering Zach Edey, a two-time national player of the year.
This season, Smith has emerged as a reliable anchor for Purdue (16-5, 8-2 Big Ten). While he may not have posted season-high numbers in traditional stats, his impact was felt throughout the game, setting the tone right from the start. Smith showcased his skill by shooting 10 of 17 from the field, with only one turnover, and his dynamic play helped energize a defense that forced a remarkable 22 turnovers, allowing only eight points in return.
Smith nearly achieved a rare triple-double, a feat only accomplished once in school history by Joe Barry Carroll, who tallied 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 blocks nearly fifty years ago. Smith has come close to that mark several times this year, but he displayed his full potential against Michigan, contrasting sharply with his previous outing where he struggled, going 3 of 14 from the field.
“Braden consistently gets 10 assists, and when your point guard is making the right decisions and keeping everyone involved, it poses a challenge for opponents,” commented Michigan’s first-year coach Dusty May. “Watching him, his focus and ability to play simplified the game for him, enabling him to contribute on both offense and defense effectively.”
The expectations were high after witnessing how Ohio State managed to rally back from a 16-point deficit to take a 73-70 win earlier in the week. Smith, however, exceeded those expectations by immediately impacting the game with his steal and subsequent layup on the Boilermakers’ opening possession, which directly contributed to a quick turnover and allowed Purdue to bolt out to a 13-2 lead within the first few minutes.
Smith was determined not to repeat the previous week’s missteps. “He was really active defensively, getting steals and disrupting the passing lanes,” said Purdue coach Matt Painter. “His reads were straightforward tonight, and he remained focused and looked forward—that’s precisely what we expect from him.”
