Rutgers Coach Steve Pikiell on Why Purdue’s Braden Smith Stands Out

Steve Pikiell summed up the ideas of each Massive Ten coach with one sentence when speaking about Purdue guard Braden Smith on Tuesday night time. After the senior delivered a 16-point, eight-assist efficiency in an 81-65 win over Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights coach stated, “I will be glad when he graduates, that is for certain.”

That is a praise to Smith, who carved up Rutgers at Jersey Mike’s Area on Tuesday night time, choosing up Purdue’s first Massive Ten win of the season and bettering to 8-0 on the yr. He was a menace to the Scarlet Knights protection all through the sport.

Smith began the competition by pulling down his first three pictures from the sphere, all three-point baskets. When Rutgers tried to take that away, he began distributing the basketball at extremely excessive degree.

After Purdue’s maestro carried out one other sensible efficiency resulting in a Boilermaker victory, Pikiell was requested what separated Smith from different level guards in school basketball. He had lots to say in regards to the senior.

“He is such a great shooter now. Not solely do you must guard him on pick-and-rolls to move the ball, and he has elite imaginative and prescient, however he is tremendously artful. His potential to create his personal shot, he fades away, he makes mid-range pictures, he comes off and takes off-balanced threes, and so they simply swish,” Pikiell stated. “He performs with an expertise and a swagger. I imply, he’ll be the all-time main help man in school basketball historical past. This is not only a common man; he’ll beat Bobby Hurley’s document, which has stood for 30 years.

“He can do every little thing, too. He’ll defend, he is gutsy, he makes free throws. I will be glad when he graduates, that is for certain.”

Smith had quite a few spectacular moments Tuesday night time, however his greatest move of the night time got here early within the second half when Purdue owned a 49-29 lead. The guard delivered an ideal behind-the-back move to heart Oscar Cluff, who obtained a straightforward dunk to extend the Boilermakers’ benefit.

With passes like that, it is easy to know why Pikiell and others across the Massive Ten are wanting to see Smith placed on the commencement cap.

The excellent news for Rutgers? Except there is a matchup within the Massive Ten Event or in one other postseason occasion, Tuesday night time marked the final time Pikiell must coach in opposition to Smith on a basketball courtroom.

So, no less than the Scarlet Knights ended the night time with one small victory.

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