GoldandBlack.com Saturday Simulcast: Purdue grad and media expert Kevin Sullivan

What does the future hold for Purdue and college sports in the media world? Purdue grad and sports media expert Kevin Sullivan (ksullivancommunications.com) talks with host Alan Karpick about what the Boilermaker program must do to be competitive in the media space over the next decade. This and much more on the Jan. 25, 2025 edition.

Audio Only

More from Mike Carmin’s story after Purdue’s romp over Michigan

The Boilermakers quickly recovered from squandering a 16-point lead to Ohio State on Tuesday and took out their frustrations against a Michigan team that was 6-1 in the Big Ten and had won six of its last seven. Purdue is 8-2 at the halfway mark of the conference season.

But the Wolverines had no answers on this night.

“Rules of engagement from the very first possession,” Michigan coach Dusty May said of the Boilermakers defense. “I thought Purdue played incredibly determined basketball.”

The hustle. The intensity. The passion. The shot-making. The defense. The precision on offense. Purdue imposed its will, smothering the Wolverines at both ends of the floor, and didn’t let up.

The Boilermakers built leads of 13-2, 29-9, 38-13 before holding a 51-26 halftime advantage before the 84th consecutive sellout and the 500^th Big Ten game at Mackey Arena. The largest lead in the first half was 29 points with 5:29 on the clock.

Smith led the onslaught on both ends, bouncing back after his 3 of 14 shooting night against the Buckeyes. His four steals set the tone for a raucous environment and stuffed the stat sheet again with 24 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.

Freshman C.J. Cox was a leader on defense, diving on the floor for a loose ball 34 seconds into the game and picking up the first of three steals. It led to a Trey Kaufman-Renn second-chance point, and you could feel the momentum building toward a blowout.

Loyer had 18 points – hitting five 3-pointers – and Kaufman-Renn added 15 points.

Michigan didn’t help itself, committing 22 turnovers – eight more than its season average. The Wolverines missed 16 of their first 17 attempts from 3-point range, and Purdue scored 29 points off turnovers, including 17 after steals. The Boilermakers collected a season-high 14 steals.

“THAT’S WHAT I EXPECT FROM MYSELF”

Smith took responsibility, even if he didn’t need to. That’s who he is.

The Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year blamed himself for Tuesday’s loss but knew his teammates had his back. But that’s who Smith is and will always be.

It should surprise no one that the talented point guard bounced back in a big way. He controlled the game from the beginning at both ends and brought the Boilermakers back into the win column to remain near the top of the Big Ten standings.

“That’s my job, and that’s what everybody expects of me, and that’s what I expect from myself,” Smith said. “When Ohio State happened, I was really upset about it. I felt like I let the team down. I felt like it was personally my fault, and I know they’re going to say it’s not.

“But to me, as a competitor and as a person, that’s who I am. I was just trying to get to a quick start and help these guys get the ball in the right place, make shots, and get the energy going. And we were able to do so.”

His teammates followed Smith’s lead. Just like last year’s team followed Zach Edey.

“It’s what leaders do,” Loyer said. “When you’re the best player on the team, you’ve got to lead by example. Zach was a prime example of that. He wasn’t the most vocal guy, but every day, he showed up and gave his energy.

“When we’ve gotten stops, and we’ve gotten out in transition, it’s when we play our best basketball. By Braden leading by example and getting out and defending, it’s huge for us.”

For Smith, it was a mental hurdle to overcome Tuesday’s setback. Smith was in foul trouble throughout the first half against the Buckeyes, disrupting his rhythm. He had no foul issues on Friday night, playing nearly 38 minutes and orchestrating the Boilermakers to another victory.

“I think just talking with myself, remembering how I got here and the work that I’ve put in,” Smith said. “It makes my life so much easier, being around such a great group of guys that tell me to keep shooting and tell me to keep my head up and that we need me to do what I do for us to win. They tell me that every single time I’m on the floor, so it helps me a lot.”