Imagine a player so dominant that his 14 assists almost seem like an afterthought. That’s exactly what Braden Smith did as he led Purdue to a thrilling 93-85 victory over Penn State, securing their seventh consecutive win and a perfect 5-0 start in the Big Ten. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Smith’s ability to effortlessly switch between scoring and playmaking the most underrated aspect of his game? Let’s dive in.
Smith’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, dropping 26 points and dishing out 14 assists, a feat that left even Purdue coach Matt Painter in awe. ‘At times, you just step back and you’re like a fan,’ Painter remarked. ‘You just watch him.’ Yet, what’s truly remarkable is how Smith’s defensive impact and court vision make his scoring prowess feel almost secondary—a testament to his all-around greatness.
Oscar Cluff was another standout, dominating the paint with 23 points and seven rebounds. His relentless offensive rebounding in the second half effectively snuffed out Penn State’s comeback hopes. Fletcher Loyer chipped in with 17 points, while CJ Cox added 16, including a crucial second-half surge that helped Purdue pull away.
And this is the part most people miss: Purdue’s starters carried the bulk of the scoring load, with only two bench points coming from Daniel Jacobsen. This reliance on the starting five raises questions about depth, but for now, it’s a formula that’s working.
The game wasn’t without its twists. Despite Smith’s 17 first-half points and seven assists, Purdue only led 45-44 at halftime, thanks to Penn State’s uncharacteristic 8-of-17 three-point shooting, including a banked-in three by Melih Tunca. Smith, however, downplayed his scoring ability post-game, joking, ‘I still know how to score even though I pass a lot.’ His humility belies his impact: he tied a season-high with 14 assists and notched his fifth career 20-point, 10-assist game—a rarity in Purdue’s history.
The second half saw Purdue explode out of the gates with a 15-5 run, fueled by Smith and Cox’s three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Penn State’s shooting cooled off, starting 0-5 from deep. Despite the Nittany Lions’ scrappiness, Purdue’s defensive intensity, highlighted by Cox’s steals and Smith’s playmaking, sealed the deal.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Is Purdue’s reliance on their starters sustainable, or will they need more bench contributions to compete against tougher opponents? Let us know in the comments.
With the win, Purdue extended their streak to 132 consecutive victories when scoring 90+ points. Next up, they host No. 19 Iowa, fresh off a matchup with No. 16 Illinois. Will the Boilermakers keep rolling? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: with Braden Smith at the helm, Purdue is a force to be reckoned with.
