Purdue basketball seeks its fifth straight victory as Nebraska visits Mackey Arena in Big Ten action.

The No. 19 Boilermakers (12-4, 4-1) have been rolling since Christmas, winning by an average of 18 points. Braden Smith is leading the way, averaging 23.0 points, 10.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals over those four games. The Boilers have the second-stingiest defense in league play (66.2 points allowed), and they’re in third place in conference play, only behind Michigan and Michigan State.

The Cornhuskers (12-3, 2-2) struggle inside (-4.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocked shots per game in league play) but they’ll take the ball from you (8.5 steals, No. 2). They are coming off an overtime loss to Iowa that followed six consecutive wins. Connor Essigian, a 2022 Indiana All-Star from Central Noble who transferred from Wisconsin, offers offense off the bench (11.3 points, 40.7% 3-pointers).

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