Braden Smith Flips the Switch, Powers Purdue Past Iowa with Second-Half Surge
For the first 25 minutes or so, Purdue looked like a team searching for answers. Sloppy turnovers, sluggish offense, and a defense that couldn’t quite contain a hot-shooting Iowa squad had the Boilermakers on their heels. But then, with just under 15 minutes to play, something changed - or more accurately, someone changed.
Braden Smith took control.
The sophomore guard, already carving out a legacy in West Lafayette, flipped the game on its head with a commanding stretch that reminded everyone why he’s in serious contention to repeat as Big Ten Player of the Year. Smith finished with 16 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, but it was his timing - not just the box score - that told the story.
Let’s break down how Purdue turned a shaky performance into a statement win, by the numbers:
8 - Smith’s Climb into NCAA History
Smith’s 8 assists weren’t just a key part of Purdue’s second-half explosion - they also moved him into 15th place all-time in NCAA history with 922 career dimes. That’s elite company.
Next up on the list? NBA legend Gary Payton (938), followed by Doug Gottlieb (947) and Steve Blake (972).
And yes, Bobby Hurley’s record of 1,076 is still out there, but Smith’s pace says he’s not done climbing.
39 & 40 - A Tale of Two Offenses
Through the first 26 minutes, Purdue had just 39 points. The offense looked disjointed, the turnovers were piling up, and Iowa was capitalizing. But over the final 14:35, Purdue erupted for 40 points - nearly matching their total from the rest of the game in half the time.
That stretch wasn’t just about scoring. It was about control.
Purdue had just one turnover in that span, after coughing it up four times in the first four minutes of the second half alone. When the Boilermakers play clean, efficient basketball, they become a different animal - one that few teams in the country are built to handle.
6 - B1G Start, Big Implications
With the win, Purdue improved to 6-0 in Big Ten play - their best conference start since the 2017-18 season, when they rattled off a program-record 12 straight wins to open league play. That 6-0 mark now ties for the seventh-best start in school history, and while there’s still a long way to go, it’s a strong foundation for a team with national championship aspirations.
20.9 - Sharing is Winning
Purdue dished out 20 assists on the night, marking the 12th time in 17 games this season they’ve hit that number or better. That kind of ball movement isn’t just pretty - it’s productive.
The Boilermakers now average 20.9 assists per game, with 356 total on the season. They’re just 364 assists away from setting a new program record (720), and at their current pace, it’s well within reach.
130.1 - Elite Company in Efficiency
Purdue’s offense may have sputtered early, but that closing stretch pushed their adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom to a staggering 130.1 - the best mark in the country. For context, that’s 1.1 points better than Alabama, and 1.8 better than Illinois, the next closest Big Ten team. Rutgers, on the other end of the spectrum, sits at 108.5, while Mississippi Valley State brings up the national rear at 88.6.
That kind of offensive firepower, especially when paired with a defense that can lock in late, is what separates contenders from the rest of the field.
48% - Iowa's Hot Hand from Deep
Credit where it’s due: Iowa came out firing from beyond the arc and hit 48% of their threes - the highest mark by a Purdue opponent this season. That’s well above the 31.3% Purdue had allowed on the year, which ranked among the top 75 nationally.
Interestingly, it wasn’t Iowa’s usual suspects doing the damage. While Stirtz struggled at 2-for-9, Banks and Combs combined to go 7-for-8 from deep - after hitting just 11 threes total between them all season. Sometimes, teams just catch fire, and you have to weather the storm.
What matters is how Purdue responded. Unlike earlier in the year - think Iowa State - the Boilermakers didn’t panic. They tightened up defensively, took care of the basketball, and leaned on their star to close it out.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t Purdue’s cleanest game, but it might’ve been one of their most telling. When things weren’t going their way, they found another gear - led by a point guard who continues to show he’s one of the best in the country. Braden Smith’s ability to control tempo, make plays, and elevate his teammates is what makes this Purdue team so dangerous.
If that final 14:35 is any indication of what’s to come, the Boilermakers aren’t just chasing a Big Ten title - they’re gunning for something bigger.