MADISON, Wis. — Purdue guard Braden Smith reacted to becoming the Big Ten’s career assists leader as though it were just another step rather than a culmination.
The 6-foot senior still has other goals in mind.
«Obviously, it’s something cool to see and be a part of,» Smith said after scoring 14 points and breaking the conference assists record Saturday night during No. 5 Purdue’s 89-73 victory over Wisconsin. «But at the end of the day, I’m here for something bigger than that, and that’s to win a national championship. That’s really our main focus.»
Smith had 12 assists against Wisconsin to increase his career total to 893. Cassius Winston had held the Big Ten record after compiling 890 assists for Michigan State from 2017 to 2020.
It’s quite an accomplishment for a player who wasn’t ranked among the nation’s top 150 recruits coming out of high school.
«He’s special,» Purdue coach Matt Painter said about Smith. «He’s elite. A lot of people who want to go past college and be a professional, it’s like, ‘What do you do great on a professional level?’ He passes better than anybody in college basketball. We sit there and watch. It’s amazing he didn’t have another high-major offer because he’s a winner.»
Oscar Cluff for a three-point play.
The boisterous section of Purdue fans at Kohl Center gave Smith a standing ovation and started chanting «Braden Smith» as soon as he broke the Big Ten record. In keeping with his competitive spirit, Smith focused more on the spectators who weren’t cheering him on.
«Some people were talking a lot in that front row over there,» he said. «I was just like, ‘Are you not listening to what’s going on out here?’ You’re talking to me, calling me too small. That doesn’t make sense. Too small, but the whole opposing arena is chanting my name? That doesn’t look very good on you.»
