- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,169,962
- Reaction score
- 59
CHICAGO — Purdue men's basketball's second victory over Northwestern in as many weeks sends the Boilermakers back to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
The 7 seed Boilers' 81-68 victory in Thursday's third round set up a Friday rematch with 2-seed Nebraska. The teams played a memorable mid-February game in Lincoln, with Purdue winning in overtime.
Here's what I liked and disliked, and what the Boilers' win means.
Purdue already flexed its frontcourt edge against Northwestern last week, nearly doubling them up on the boards. With starting 6-foot-11 forward Arrinten Page out again Thursday, the Boilermakers attacked that even greater advantage early and often.
Oscar Cluff had a hand in nine of Purdue’s first 11 points. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 11 points on six first-half field goal attempts. The team built a 20-10 rebounding edge and grabbed eight offensive boards on only 15 missed shots before halftime.
Purdue was well-rested and healed up facing a compromised opponent playing its third game in as many days. It smelled blood and went for the jugular.
∎ Northwestern’s defensive strategy last week focused on bringing an extra defender to trap Smith or make him give up the ball. It worked early that night. He came better prepared to handle it Thursday, and while he made only one basket in the first half, he piled up nine assists before halftime while others feasted.
One of those assists should feature prominently on his career highlight reel. Smith deflected a pass intended for Jake West. When the ball bounced up in the air, Smith dove for it and smacked it across the half-court line toward the Purdue basket while falling out of bounds. Omer Mayer finished with a layup and the rout was officially on.
His 16 assists set a single-game Big Ten Tournament record. He's 31 assists from Bobby Hurley's all-time NCAA record.
∎ Purdue can seemingly fall out of bed and play with offensive efficiency which rivals any team in recent history. When its defense can fuel its offense, though, a game can get out of hand in a hurry. It won’t always have the advantage of playing an opponent whose legs are turning to Jell-o before our eyes. But when it plays connected, intense defense, the ceiling raises.
Required reading: How Chinese basketball heritage influenced Purdue's next 7-foot center recruit
Smith would be a little closer to that assist record if Daniel Jacobsen had finished better around the rim. The second-year big man bounced back with a better effort in the regular-season finale against Wisconsin. These ups and downs, even late in the season, are not uncommon for a player who is essentially in his freshman season. A confidence boost between now and his first NCAA Tournament game next week, though, would help.
∎ Given a second chance in eight days, Purdue could not really summon a better answer for Nick Martinelli.
March begins: Purdue must find postseason momentum beginning with Big Ten Tournament
By winning Thursday, Purdue earned entry into the quarterfinals, where it can prove its postseason credentials against the league’s best.
That begins Friday against Nebraska, a team it was whooping by 22 early in the second half Feb. 10 in Lincoln before needing to rally in the final seconds of overtime. That came during a four-game winning streak – the last time Purdue won consecutive games.
Cluff and Kaufman-Renn were monsters on the boards that night. If the Boilers can recreate that edge while shooting better than that night’s 28.3% from 3, they’ll have a good chance at a semifinal berth.
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 Northwestern score today, Braden Smith assists, Big Ten Tournament
Continue reading...
The 7 seed Boilers' 81-68 victory in Thursday's third round set up a Friday rematch with 2-seed Nebraska. The teams played a memorable mid-February game in Lincoln, with Purdue winning in overtime.
Here's what I liked and disliked, and what the Boilers' win means.
What I liked in Purdue basketball's win vs Northwestern in 2026 Big Ten Tournament
Purdue already flexed its frontcourt edge against Northwestern last week, nearly doubling them up on the boards. With starting 6-foot-11 forward Arrinten Page out again Thursday, the Boilermakers attacked that even greater advantage early and often.
Oscar Cluff had a hand in nine of Purdue’s first 11 points. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 11 points on six first-half field goal attempts. The team built a 20-10 rebounding edge and grabbed eight offensive boards on only 15 missed shots before halftime.
Purdue was well-rested and healed up facing a compromised opponent playing its third game in as many days. It smelled blood and went for the jugular.
∎ Northwestern’s defensive strategy last week focused on bringing an extra defender to trap Smith or make him give up the ball. It worked early that night. He came better prepared to handle it Thursday, and while he made only one basket in the first half, he piled up nine assists before halftime while others feasted.
One of those assists should feature prominently on his career highlight reel. Smith deflected a pass intended for Jake West. When the ball bounced up in the air, Smith dove for it and smacked it across the half-court line toward the Purdue basket while falling out of bounds. Omer Mayer finished with a layup and the rout was officially on.
His 16 assists set a single-game Big Ten Tournament record. He's 31 assists from Bobby Hurley's all-time NCAA record.
∎ Purdue can seemingly fall out of bed and play with offensive efficiency which rivals any team in recent history. When its defense can fuel its offense, though, a game can get out of hand in a hurry. It won’t always have the advantage of playing an opponent whose legs are turning to Jell-o before our eyes. But when it plays connected, intense defense, the ceiling raises.
Required reading: How Chinese basketball heritage influenced Purdue's next 7-foot center recruit
What I disliked in Purdue basketball's win vs Northwestern in 2026 Big Ten Tournament
Smith would be a little closer to that assist record if Daniel Jacobsen had finished better around the rim. The second-year big man bounced back with a better effort in the regular-season finale against Wisconsin. These ups and downs, even late in the season, are not uncommon for a player who is essentially in his freshman season. A confidence boost between now and his first NCAA Tournament game next week, though, would help.
∎ Given a second chance in eight days, Purdue could not really summon a better answer for Nick Martinelli.
March begins: Purdue must find postseason momentum beginning with Big Ten Tournament
What Purdue basketball's win vs Northwestern in 2026 Big Ten Tournament means
By winning Thursday, Purdue earned entry into the quarterfinals, where it can prove its postseason credentials against the league’s best.
That begins Friday against Nebraska, a team it was whooping by 22 early in the second half Feb. 10 in Lincoln before needing to rally in the final seconds of overtime. That came during a four-game winning streak – the last time Purdue won consecutive games.
Cluff and Kaufman-Renn were monsters on the boards that night. If the Boilers can recreate that edge while shooting better than that night’s 28.3% from 3, they’ll have a good chance at a semifinal berth.
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 Northwestern score today, Braden Smith assists, Big Ten Tournament
Continue reading...
