Braden Smith had another double-double Thursday, scoring 16 points and dishing out 14 assists. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell called the junior a "special player."

With Matt Painter's new lineup playing nasty defense, and with Braden Smith leading the offense like a lumberjack Bob Cousy, Purdue blows out Rutgers.

Purdue point guard Braden Smith notched his seventh points-and-assists double-double in a road win at Rutgers.

No. 20 Purdue plays the Rutgers Scarlet Knights after Braden Smith scored 22 points in the Boilermakers' 79-61 victory against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Braden Smith scored 16 points and dished out 14 assists Thursday night and visiting Purdue never trailed in a 68-50 Big Ten Conference win over Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Trey

The Purdue Boilermakers seek their fourth straight win when they visit Rutgers. Stay here for updates throughout.

When junior guard Braden Smith is in attack mode, No. 20 Purdue can beat anyone. In the Boilermakers' three-game winning streak, the Big Ten Conference's preseason Player of the Year has averaged 25.3 points and 9.

Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer (2) reacts after making a 3-point basket against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. Credit: AP/Noah K. Murray Rutgers committed 16 turnovers, which led to 11 points from Purdue.

No. 20 Purdue faces Rutgers after Braden Smith scored 22 points in Purdue’s 79-61 win against the Northwestern Wildcats. The Scarlet Knights are 7-1 on their home court. Rutgers averages 78.2 ...

Also ready when needed, such as on the 3-pointer he sank off one of Smith’s dazzling dishes ... helped create a few of those 12 first-half Rutgers turnovers. His third foul so early in ...

The Scarlet Knights bench has 12 points. The Boilers are 1-of-10 on 3-pointers and 3-of-7 on free throws. They have just 2 turnovers, to Rutgers' 12. Braden Smith has 9 points and 5 assists ...