Purdue Makes Big Announcement For Braden Smith's Senior Season
Braden Smith and the Purdue Boilermakers couldn't get it done in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, falling to the Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16.
Following the disappointing exit, the junior guard had a big decision to make regarding the 2025 NBA Draft. After taking some time to think about it, Smith announced he would be returning for his senior season. With the All-American coming back, Purdue has become one of the favorites to win the 2026 title.
Advertisement
"Running it back one last time," Smith wrote on Instagram. "Purdue has given me everything: memories, challenges, growth, and a family. There's still more to prove, more to accomplish, and more moments to create with my brothers."
With excitement brewing for the 2025-26 season in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue announced its non-conference schedule on Tuesday morning.
"What's ahead of us," Purdue Men's Basketball wrote on X. "🚂 The non-conference schedule."
Along with tough competition in the Big Ten, Purdue will be taking on numerous non-conference teams that made the 2025 tournament.
Purdue will open the new season with an exhibition against the Kentucky Wildcats before facing another SEC team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, in mid-November. It will also face Iowa State, Marquette and Auburn in December.
Advertisement
The Boilermakers' full non-conference schedule is as follows:
Kentucky – October 24 (Lexington, KY; Exhibition)
UIndy – October 29 (Home; Exhibition)
Evansville – November 4 (Home)
Oakland – November 7 (Home)
Alabama – November 13 (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Akron – November 16 (Home)
Baha Mar – November 20 & 21 (Nassau, Bahamas)
Eastern Illinois – November 28 (Home)
Iowa State – December 6 (Home)
Marquette – December 13 (Home)
Auburn – December 20 (Indianapolis, IN)
Kent State – December 29 (Home)
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3).Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Smith was one of the better offensive players in the entire nation during his junior year. The 6-footer out of Westfield, Indiana, averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. His assist numbers ranked second in all of college basketball, behind Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (9.8).
Related: 7-foot-1 Center Makes Transfer Portal Decision on Monday
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Big Ten hoops analyst expects a 'breakout season' for MSU starting PG Jeremy Fears Jr.
Big Ten hoops analyst expects a 'breakout season' for MSU starting PG Jeremy Fears Jr. Is Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. in for a breakout season? One Big Ten basketball analyst has already called his shot for this outcome. Former Purdue star and current Big Ten Network analyst Rapheal Davis believes Fears is in store for a breakout season in 2025-26. On Wednesday morning, Davis sent out a simple post on social media platform X: "Jeremy Fears Jr. - Breakout Season." Check out the post from Davis below: Fears stepped in as the Spartans primary staring point guard this past season after suffering a season-ending injury in the middle of his Freshman campaign. Fears started all 36 of the Spartans' games this past season, averaging 7.2 points, 5.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game. Fears also became one of the clear leaders for Michigan State and was critical beyond the stat sheet in the Spartans winning the Big Ten title and reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. There are parts of Fears' game that will need to improve during this offseason -- primarily his shooting from mid-range and outside. But if he can improve upon that part of his game, I too would expect a breakout season from Fears next year. It will be needed if Michigan State is going to contend for another Big Ten title. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Today in Chicago History: ‘Princess Di arrived in Chi and the town went gaga'
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 5, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 97 degrees (1971) Low temperature: 37 degrees (1945) Precipitation: 1 inches (1932) Snowfall: Trace (1955) 1854: The Rock Island Railroad connected Chicago to Lockport and the Mississippi River. 1913: The first in a series of auto-polo matches took place at Comiskey Park. Chicago lost to New York 9-8. But Chicago won the night match 10-8. 'No competitor was injured, which was the most remarkable feature of the contest,' the Tribune reported. 1946: A fire at the LaSalle Hotel, on the northwest corner of LaSalle and Madison streets, killed 61 people and injured more than 200, making it the worst hotel fire in the city's history. The building was demolished in the 1970s. 1989: The Chicago White Sox drafted Auburn first baseman Frank Thomas seventh in the first round of baseball's amateur draft. The 'Big Hurt' played for the White Sox from 1990 to 2005 as part of a 19-season career. The two-time AL MVP hit 521 home runs, including 448 for the Sox. He was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2014. Michael Jordan: Top moments and stats in the life and career of the Chicago Bulls and NBA legend 1991: NBC play-by-play man Marv Albert announced 'Oh! A spectacular move by Michael Jordan!' after the Chicago Bulls star rose for a right-handed layup, encountered the long-armed Sam Perkins, then switched to his left hand and kissed the ball into the basket off the glass on the other side of the rim. 1996: Princess Diana hit the ground running on her first — and only — visit to Chicago. Her priority was clear — to raise money and awareness for the plight of cancer victims. In just 46 hours, she helped raise more than $1 million for cancer charities here and in London. On her first day, Princess Diana spoke at a breast cancer symposium at Northwestern University in the morning, toured Cook County Hospital's trauma unit, children's emergency room and pediatric intensive care unit in the afternoon, then attended a black-tie fundraising dinner with dancing — her first dance with talk show host Phil Donahue — at the Field Museum. The epic affair rivaled the Bulls' first game in the NBA Finals against the Seattle SuperSonics at the United Center. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Princess Diana's visit to Chicago in 1996 Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@ and mmather@
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Big Ten football power rankings for 2025 season, per ESPN's FPI
Big Ten football power rankings for 2025 season, per ESPN's FPI Another notable college football offseason domino fell earlier this week when ESPN released its updated Football Power Index for the upcoming season. When compared to ESPN's SP+ and other rating metrics, FPI's release continues to develop a comprehensive look at the upcoming season, judging each team based on its perceived quality. As a reminder, here is how ESPN describes the metric's methodology. The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete. More specifically, June 2's FPI release gives us yet another projection of the 2025 Big Ten season, complete with each team's percent chance to win the conference and/or reach the College Football Playoff. Here is that projection, which is notably skeptical of one consensus Cinderella contender. 18. Purdue Boilermakers FPI Rating: -6.9 (No. 92 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 3.2 - 8.8 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.0 % Chance to Make CFP: 0.0 Purdue has a measured outlook entering 2025. Given the circumstances of the full roster and program overhaul after a 1-11 2024 season, even a three-win season would mark a step in the right direction. Barry Odom excelled at UNLV. He now faces a tough situation in West Lafayette. 17. Northwestern Wildcats FPI Rating: -3.6 (No. 74 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 4.1 - 7.9 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.0 % Chance to Make CFP: 0.0 Northwestern and Purdue mark the Big Ten's clear bottom tier entering 2025. The Wildcats even did well to win four games last year, given a near Football Bowl Subdivision-worst offense (No. 128 of 134) and below-average defense (No. 79 of 134). 2025 is a critical year for head coach David Braun to prove that 2023's 8-5 output was not an anomaly. 16. Maryland Terrapins FPI Rating: 1.9 (No. 61 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.9 - 6.1 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.2 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.3 Maryland should be in striking range of a bowl trip in 2025, according to FPI. A postseason bid would stabilize a program that appears to be regressing after a 4-8 finish in 2024. Toss-up games against Rutgers and Michigan State could decide that bowl fate. 15. Michigan State Spartans FPI Rating: 2.3 (No. 59 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.2 - 6.8 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.0 Michigan State should have a much higher ceiling than a top-60 team in the country, especially given the potential of underclassman quarterback Aidan Chiles. Spartans fans will be on the edge of their seats entering the year, however, given the team's 5-7 finish in 2024 and current recruiting struggles. Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire 14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights FPI Rating: 3.5 (No. 55 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.8 - 6.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.7 Rutgers' streak of two consecutive bowl trips and three in four years could come to an end in 2025. The team was forced to rebuild most of its defense after a senior-heavy group moved on after the 2024 season. With quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis leading a low-risk, low-reward offense, a 6-6 finish would be a major win. 13. UCLA Bruins FPI Rating: 4.6 (No. 47 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.4 - 6.6 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 1.9 UCLA may be a bit underrated by FPI. After the team showed well against a gauntlet schedule in 2024, head coach DeShaun Foster and his staff got a full offseason of roster movement, headlined by the addition of former Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Foster had to scramble after taking over for Chip Kelly in February of last year. More continuity and a manageable schedule could lead to a breakthrough season. Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire 12. Illinois Fighting Illini FPI Rating: 5.0 (No. 44 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 6.8 - 5.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.6 % Chance to Make CFP: 3.8 This is one spot where FPI significantly differs from other rankings and preseason projections. Illinois is a popular College Football Playoff pick. The team returns most of a group that finished 2024 with double-digit wins, plus is set to face a manageable schedule. All signs point toward a much better finish than mid-40s nationally and No. 13 in the Big Ten. 11. Minnesota Golden Gophers FPI Rating: 5.2 (No. 43 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 6.9 - 5.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.3 % Chance to Make CFP: 4.3 A 7-5 finish and mid-40s ranking would be more of the same for Minnesota. The program has made a bowl game in each of the last six non-COVID seasons. At the same time, it has surpassed 10 wins only once during that time (11 wins in 2019). Unless redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey breaks out unexpectedly, seven or eight wins seem likely. 10. Iowa Hawkeyes FPI Rating: 6.3 (No. 39 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 6.2 - 5.8 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.6 % Chance to Make CFP: 3.7 The Big Ten impressively boasts 10 teams within the nation's top 40. Iowa is a write-in for that category every year, regardless of the team's specific makeup. It put all its chips into Football Championship Subdivision transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski this offseason. If he hits, the Hawkeyes could return to a 10-win mark. Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire 9. Wisconsin Badgers FPI Rating: 6.3 (No. 38 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 5.6 - 6.5 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.4 % Chance to Make CFP: 2.6 This is where team quality shouldn't be confused with record and resume. Wisconsin could very well be a better team than it's been over the last two years under Luke Fickell. But given a schedule that ranks among the toughest in the sport, a bowl trip would feel like a major win. 8. Indiana Hoosiers FPI Rating: 8.3 (No. 31 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 7.5 - 4.5 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.9 % Chance to Make CFP: 8.9 File FPI into the group of metrics that are predicting a bit of a regression from Indiana in 2025. Most agree that the Hoosiers' 11-win 2024 season will be tough to replicate, given the team's schedule alone. The better question is, how high is Indiana's floor under Curt Cignetti? Another nine-win season could seriously change how we view the program. 7. Washington Huskies FPI Rating: 8.8 (No. 27 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 7.1 - 4.9 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 0.8 % Chance to Make CFP: 8.1 Washington is a team to watch in 2025. Like UCLA, the Huskies will benefit from a full year of roster improvement and overall continuity. Washington head coach Jedd Fisch was thrust into a challenging situation last offseason after Kalen DeBoer left for the Alabama job. His team then showed significant promise through the 2024 campaign. Young quarterback Demond Williams Jr. should headline lists of breakout candidates for 2025. Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire 6. Nebraska Cornhuskers FPI Rating: 9.3 (No. 25 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 7.5 - 4.5 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 1.5 % Chance to Make CFP: 10.3 It isn't a proper college football offseason without high expectations for Nebraska. The team returns 61% of production from a 2024 group that broke the program's extended bowl drought. Its 2025 chances rest on the arm of sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola, who will need to live up to his five-star billing. More than a 10% chance to reach the CFP feels a bit steep. Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire 5. USC Trojans FPI Rating: 13.0 (No. 19 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 8.3 - 3.9 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 4.2 % Chance to Make CFP: 21.0 USC is a high-ceiling, low-floor team in 2025. If its defense takes a major step forward in year two under top coordinator D'Anton Lynn, and if Lincoln Riley develops another NFL passer, the team could contend for the conference. As we saw in 2024, it could also very well be on the fringe of bowl eligibility. Given the program's recent momentum, more signs point to the former. Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire 4. Michigan Wolverines FPI Rating: 14.6 (No. 17 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 8.4 - 3.7 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 6.0 % Chance to Make CFP: 25.3 Michigan is in a tier by itself. It's a bona fide CFP and conference title contender, though it falls far below the conference's top three teams. Quarterback play will decide the Wolverines' fate, especially if five-star freshman Bryce Underwood is under center. Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire 3. Oregon Ducks FPI Rating: 20.5 (No. 6 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 10.0 - 2.4 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 19.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 57.5 Oregon will have a tough time repeating as Big Ten champion. The team lost numerous top contributors from its stellar 2024 team. It now returns just 43% of production (No. 104 in the nation). While the number does not automatically mean a regression, it makes Oregon a team to monitor as the season continues. The Ducks will still be a CFP contender, but a national title run may be out of the picture. Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire 2. Penn State Nittany Lions FPI Rating: 21.5 (No. 5 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 10.2 - 2.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 25.1 % Chance to Make CFP: 63.8 Penn State is the second in the projected three-team race for the conference. Returning stars QB Drew Allar and RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen lead that projection, as does the program's terrific history on defense. Penn State finally broke through last season. 2025 could see an even further step forward. Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire 1. Ohio State Buckeyes FPI Rating: 23.8 (No. 4 overall) Projected Win-Loss: 10.4 - 2.2 % Chance to Win Big Ten: 40.3 % Chance to Make CFP: 70.6 While Ohio State returns just 48% of production from its 2024 team that won the national title, it's hard to expect the program to regress significantly. All-world WR Jeremiah Smith and star S Caleb Downs anchor an offensive and defensive unit, respectively, that each projects among the conference's best. Ohio State is currently the class of the sport, so it deserves the benefit of the doubt at positions facing turnover. Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
