Big Ten Media Day comments add "a little fuel" to Braden Smith as Purdue opens Big Ten season

The chip on Purdue’s Braden Smith’s shoulder should be full by now.

But there’s always room to add more motivation to Purdue’s point guard, who thrives in proving everyone wrong. It’s been a significant part of his development throughout his career, and it didn’t start when the Westfield graduate arrived in West Lafayette.

And it doesn’t take much for Smith to feel slighted. He takes nearly everything personally and embarks on a mission to show those who have perceived to disrespect him that they’re wrong.

That’s part of the storyline of tonight’s Big Ten opener (6:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1, Purdue Radio Network) for the eighth-ranked Boilermakers when they face Penn State at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Return to October’s Big Ten Media Day near Chicago when Baldwin, who joined the Nittany Lions from VCU before the 2023-24 season, conducted a one-on-one interview with NBCsports.com.

Baldwin loves defense, highlighting “steals” as his favorite statistic, even though he was the only active Division I player with more than 1,000 points, 600 assists, and 250 steals before the season started.

“As the defensive player of the year, you want to stick the best and guard the best, and they also make you better, too,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said he looks at the opposing team’s roster and focuses on the leading scorer, regardless of position.

“That’s the I guy I want,” Baldwin said. “Leading scorer, that’s who I want to guard, even if it’s Zach Edey.”

He had his chance last season to defend Edey, who poured in 30 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a lopsided victory at Mackey Arena. Baldwin was asked: “Who’s that guy in the conference right now for you, where you say, that’s the one I want?”

“Purdue point guard,” Baldwin replied.

Braden Smith? Why?

“He’s player of the year, supposedly,” Baldwin said.

Word of Baldwin’s comments reached Smith quickly three months ago, and he shared the story with his teammates and coaches. Everyone has the opportunity to watch the matchup unfold.

Smith said, “it’s a little fuel,” before Thursday’s game. Gasoline isn’t necessary to add to Smith’s internal fire.  

“It’s basketball, it’s competition, and it’s happened since I’ve been here at Purdue,” said Smith, who was selected Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. “Our game has always been circled for whoever we play against and wherever the matchup is for me, which in this game is for me and him. Obviously, that’s circled as well. I’m a competitor as well. We’re going to get their best shot, and they’re going to get ours.”

During Wednesday’s Penn State media availability, Baldwin said: “I’m just looking forward to playing against him. He’s a good player, and we both just want to win.”

Baldwin didn’t have to say anything, and the Boilermakers would still be ready for the start of the conference season. Purdue is seeking its third-straight regular-season championship, and Thursday is the beginning of the 20-game grind to add another banner.

“Braden is going to be ready to go, whether he said it or not,” guard Fletcher Loyer said. “We know everybody is going to be out to get us because we’re Big Ten champs. Just making sure we’re focused on us and making sure we’re ready to start off the year and get ready to three-peat the Big Ten championship.”

Don’t expect a different type of game from Smith from the ones we’ve seen this season. He’ll try to get involved from a scoring perspective early but also look to Trey Kaufman-Renn in pick-and-roll situations and set up Loyer for 3-pointers and midrange jumpers.

He doesn’t need to raise his competitive spirit to another level because it’s already maxed out.

“It’s basketball, and whoever I play against is always going to be me being competitive, and I’m going to do my best to go out and perform and help this team win,” Smith said. “Whether that’s somebody saying something or not, I’m not changing how I’m playing.”

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Results of the Big Ten games in December have been a mixed bag for the Boilermakers.

They’ve posted a 1-1 record in these early games in five of the last six seasons but did go 2-0 two years ago. However, it hasn’t prevented Purdue from winning back-to-back league championships.

After Thursday, the Boilermakers host Maryland on Sunday before resuming the non-conference schedule.

Purdue coach Matt Painter said it’s essential to understand the style of play because conference expansion has added more variety to the league.  

“It used to be, OK, you’ve got a Big Ten team, and the style was kind of the same,” Painter said. “Like Michigan State, 15-20 years ago, they really pushed the basketball. Illinois, when I got here, had really good teams, and they really pushed the basketball. You’ll see some teams in our league, like Iowa, that really pushes it and scores the basketball, and Nebraska does some really good things.

“Now, with the East Coast influence, it’s closer to playing that pressing style team of Penn State, and then playing that traditional type Big East team the way Maryland changes everything and makes it so hard for you.”