For the first time since 2022, Purdue basketball is 1-0 in the Big Ten.
Despite the Boilermakers' success in recent years, conference road openers have been tough sledding, including losses at Penn State last season and at Northwestern in 2023 to open league play.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTop-ranked Purdue had no issues squashing that narrative this season, thumping Rutgers 81-65 at Jersey Mike's Arena on Tuesday night to improve to 8-0.
It's just the second time in the past eight seasons the Boilers have won their first Big Ten road game. Purdue won at Nebraska in the 2022 season when current seniors Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer were freshmen.
Purdue basketball turning point vs Rutgers
A 10-0 run had Rutgers' home crowd on its feet and Purdue clinging to a one-point lead. Just as quickly, the Boilermakers countered with a 10-0 run of their own over the next 3:41.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore: Purdue basketball is Big Ten favorite, but what obstacles block path?
Gicarri Harris' corner 3 put Purdue ahead 30-19 with 3:38 to go in the first half. The Scarlet Knights never got closer than eight points the rest of the night.
How many assists did Braden Smith have vs Rutgers?
Braden Smith had eight assists at Rutgers. Smith now has 829 career assists and needs 61 to tie former Michigan State guard Cassius Winston for the Big Ten record and 247 to tie former Duke guard Bobby Hurley's NCAA career record of 1,076.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 2: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball as Jamichael Davis #1 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena on December 2, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)3 stars for Purdue basketball vs Rutgers
Braden Smith: Not only did Smith control the offense with his eight assists, he drilled three straight 3s in the early going and finished with 16 points.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrey Kaufman-Renn: For the fourth time in six games this season, Kaufman-Renn collected a double-double. By halftime, he had nine points and eight rebounds and finished with game highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds, while adding three assists.
Gicarri Harris: While the final score looks like Purdue controlled throughout, it was tough going early for the Boilermakers. Harris was the offensive boost Purdue needed in that stretch, beginning with his steal and fastbreak layup (on a goaltending) to go up 14-8. Harris scored 11 points, all in the first half, on 4-of-5 shooting, including 3 of 4 from 3.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball defeats Rutgers to open Big Ten season
AdvertisementAdvertisement
