Braden Smith's historic night brings Purdue comfortable win at Wisconsin

5 days ago 2

MADISON, WI — Purdue basketball celebrated Braden Smith's historic night with an emphatic 89-73 victory at Wisconsin’s Kohl Center on Saturday.

Smith became the Big Ten’s all-time assists leader, and the Boilermakers took control with a 10-0 run early in the second half.

Here's what I liked and disliked, and what the win means.

What I liked in Purdue basketball's win vs Wisconsin

How fitting that Smith’s record-tying and record-breaking assists yielded seven points for his teammates?

Smith’s 10^th assist of the night – driving the lane and dumping to Oscar Cluff, who scored through contact and made the free throw – made him the Big Ten’s career record holder. He could have 20-some games remaining, depending on postseason advancement, to chase Bobby Hurley’s all-time record.

Yet this night was also a display of all the other problems Smith causes team’s defensively – hitting leaners and pump fake pull-ups en route to 10 points. He also did not turn the ball over in 30-plus minutes.

∙ The game changed in the first half when the Boilermakers figured things out defensively. They played from behind too much defensively in the first eight minutes, allowing Wisconsin to build a foothold by getting to the basket.

Then came three straight Badger turnovers in a two-minute span. Disruptive hands by C.J. Cox and others started creating offense. Wisconsin turned it over only once in its first 16 possessions and finished the first half with eight. Purdue went into the break with a 13-0 edge on points off turnovers and a 45-38 lead.

Pretty classic example here of winning the middle eight. Wisconsin’s Braeden Carrington made a deep 3 to pull within 34-32 with 4:02 to play before half. Purdue started attacking inside, with Daniel Jacobsen, Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn combining for the team's next nine points. Then it outscored Wisconsin 18-6 to start the second half.

History! Purdue's Braden Smith is Big Ten's all-time assists leader

What I disliked in Purdue basketball's win vs Wisconsin

Purdue had no early answer for the spacing Wisconsin’s versatile big men created. The Badgers too easily moved the ball to the post and the lane and kept converting. They opened the game 9 of 12 from the field, and most of that damage came at close range.

On this night, Purdue corrected that vulnerability. It hasn’t seen the last ream built like this, and some of them will have more athleticism than Wisconsin.

∙ Purdue could have closed stronger after building a 25-point lead with under nine minutes to play. Some sloppy turnovers helped the Badgers make the final score more respectable. Not lethal by any means, and perhaps a result of the circumstances, but still something worth addressing in the film room.

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What Purdue basketball's win vs Wisconsin means

Every Big Ten road win is a huge one in pursuit of a championship. Purdue has now won three straight in Madison, which used to be one of its more frustrating road trips.

There’s still room for growth defensively, but each recent victory has felt a little more complete.

Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar's Boilermakers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue vs Wisconsin score, Big Ten record, Braden Smith stats, Oscar Cluff

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