Whether it’s winning national honors or leading Purdue from the front, Zach Edey did it all, earning his place as one of the greatest college basketball players to ever play the game. Many doubted anyone could match the legacy he’s leaving behind. However, every year a new star rises, and this time Duke found theirs in Cooper Flagg, who’s chasing his own national honors. Yet, Edey’s replacement has made things more challenging for Flagg, as the Purdue star emerges as an even more dangerous nemesis.

Purdue is top off on their game this season. Even with the departure of their best player, Zach, the team ranks No.1 in the Big 10 currently (18-5) with 10-2 conference play. Their more recent statement win against Iowa on the road was simply magnificent and it all came down to one man on the court at the Hawkeye arena.

In the recent episode of The Field of 68: After Dark, John Fanta stated; “If Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome, if you took them out of college basketball, I’d put Braden Smith as my player of the year right now.”

Braden Smith certainly made his case for that honor with an outstanding performance on the road, leading his team to a victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes (81-90). The junior guard played a full 40 minutes, for 31 points, six rebounds, and four assists. But it was more than just scoring. The Boilermakers tied Iowa 36-36 by halftime, energy visibly low as they trailed in the final seconds. But it was a complete different picture in the minutes that followed. Purdue dominated throughout the second half, cruising to their 10th conference victory.

What caused the shift? A few words from Braden Smith.

The guard was clear in making his teammates see their Big Ten goals, a third straight if they manage a title this season. He understands the conference games are as tough as they come, but they needed to keep their foot down and we know the results. “I kind of said that at halftime with these guys, we have to pick it up. Then shots fall, it helps pick up the energy, gets the bench going and everything falls from there,” Smith said.

The Junior guard is having the best of his career yet, averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and ranking third nationally with 8.6 assists. He’s also poised to earn the Big Ten Player of the Year, another third straight for Purdue after Zach Edey won it the last two times. If you ask head coach Matt Painter, he’d tell you Smith’s heroics is nothing new-found. “He enjoys the fight and loves to win. He’s won, if you go look at his record in high school, college, he’s won at every level he’s played at,” he says.

The guard’s role isn’t lost on the crew at The Field of 68: After Dark. When Fanta mentions how wonderful of a job Painter has done with Smith after losing a unicorn (Edey), CJ Moore nods in agreement. “I freaking love Braden Smith,” he says. “He’s gonna find a way for the fire to burn every single night. No matter who they are playing, he’s gonna be ready to go.”

Copper Flagg has some competition to watch out for. All that drives Smith currently is getting the Boilermakers to that third title, and they have got some schedule ahead to get the star guard charged.

Purdue surges as USC hunts another upset

No. 7 Purdue is on a roll and looking to keep the momentum going when Southern California visits West Lafayette for a Big Ten matchup this Friday. The Boilermakers have won three straight and 10 of their last 11, including a road win over Iowa on Tuesday.

Purdue’s success this season has been powered by the dynamic duo of Kaufman-Renn and Smith, who lead the team in scoring. Kaufman-Renn is averaging 18.7 points per game, and their chemistry on the court has been crucial to the team’s strong performance.

Currently sitting at the top of the Big Ten, Purdue’s path won’t get any easier. Starting Feb. 11, the Boilermakers face a tough stretch with three consecutive games against ranked conference opponents—home against Wisconsin and road games at Michigan and Michigan State. But first, Purdue can’t afford to overlook USC, which has been on a tear, winning its last two games against ranked teams.

The Trojans (13-9, 5-6) have been making waves recently, including an impressive 82-72 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on the road. They followed that up with a big 70-64 victory over Michigan State last Saturday, handing them their first Big Ten loss. A key player in both victories was Desmond Claude, whose standout performances helped lead the charge for USC, scoring an impressive 31 points.

He followed that up with a solid performance against Michigan State, finishing with 19 points and six rebounds. However, during that game, he suffered a knee injury that has since sidelined him.

USC will also be counting on Saint Thomas to step up. He’s been a steady contributor, averaging 10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, and they’ll need his all-around play to make an impact. As both teams push toward the postseason, this game could have major implications for their respective paths ahead.

With Purdue dominating the Big Ten and Braden Smith stepping up as a true leader, the Boilermakers are making a strong case for their third national honor. As Zach Edey’s successor shines and Cooper Flagg rises at Duke, a new rivalry is brewing—one that could define this college basketball season.