Rutgers Falls to No. 1 Purdue in Big Ten Opener, 81-65: Familiar Struggles Resurface
For the third year in a row, Rutgers opened Big Ten play with a loss, and this one came at the hands of the nation’s top-ranked team. No. 1 Purdue rolled into Jersey Mike’s Arena and left with a convincing 81-65 win on Tuesday night, handing the Scarlet Knights (5-4, 0-1) a reminder of just how high the bar is in the conference.
A Shakeup in the Starting Five
Head coach Steve Pikiell made a notable adjustment to his starting lineup, inserting redshirt junior Darren Buchanan Jr. in place of freshman forward Denius Badalau. The move came on the heels of Buchanan’s strong performance against UNLV last week, and early on, it looked like the change might spark something. Buchanan knocked down a three in the opening minutes and brought energy on the defensive end.
But that early promise quickly faded.
Purdue’s Relentless Offense Takes Over
After a brief back-and-forth, Purdue flipped the switch. The Boilermakers went on an 18-3 run to seize a 20-9 lead midway through the first half.
Braden Smith was the catalyst, slicing through the Rutgers defense and knocking down shots with ease. Rutgers, meanwhile, couldn’t buy a bucket - the offense stalled, and open looks just weren’t falling.
Still, credit Rutgers for responding. The Scarlet Knights clawed back with a 10-0 run of their own, forcing Purdue into six straight missed field goals and a four-minute scoring drought. Suddenly, it was a one-point game at 20-19, and the crowd at Jersey Mike’s was back in it.
But Purdue didn’t stay quiet for long. Out of the under-eight media timeout, the Boilermakers regrouped and hit Rutgers with another punch - a 10-2 run that reestablished control. By halftime, Purdue led 40-27, shooting 50% from three and moving the ball with confidence.
Second Half Surge Seals It
Whatever momentum Rutgers had built late in the first half disappeared quickly after the break. Purdue opened the second half on a 14-2 run, ballooning the lead to 54-29 before Rutgers could catch its breath. From there, the Boilermakers never looked back.
Trey Kaufman-Renn was a force inside, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Smith continued to orchestrate the offense with precision - 16 points, four threes, and eight assists. Purdue had four players in double figures and shot the ball with the kind of balance and efficiency that makes them a legitimate title contender.
Bright Spots for Rutgers, But Familiar Issues Linger
Despite the loss, Rutgers did get some encouraging performances from its younger players. Sophomore Dylan Grant and freshman Harun Zrno each scored 13 points to lead the team. Freshman forward Chris Nwuli and sophomore Bryce Dortch gave good energy off the bench, each recording a block and making hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score.
But the same issues that have haunted Rutgers early this season were front and center again: perimeter defense and rebounding.
The Scarlet Knights gave up a season-high 10 three-pointers and pulled down just 25 total rebounds - including only six on the offensive glass. Those numbers simply won’t cut it against elite competition, especially in the Big Ten, where physicality and rebounding are non-negotiables.
Looking Ahead
For Rutgers, the challenge now is to regroup and build on the positives. The young core is gaining experience, and Buchanan’s expanded role could be a sign of things to come. But the Knights will need to tighten up defensively and find more consistency on the boards if they want to compete in a loaded conference.
As for Purdue, this was a statement. After two years of dropping their Big Ten openers, the Boilermakers came out sharp, focused, and in control from start to finish. If Tuesday night was any indication, they’re not just chasing a conference title - they’re gunning for something bigger.