Purdue basketball player ratings vs. Toledo: Braden Smith's career high leads Boilermakers

Purdue basketball player ratings vs. Toledo: Braden Smith’s career high leads Boilermakers

Posted by Admin December 30, 2024 Basketball

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WEST LAFAYETTE — Braden Smith scored a new career high, and Purdue basketball pulled away for a convincing 83-64 victory over Toledo at Mackey Arena on Sunday to complete its nonconference schedule.

Now the No. 25 Boilermakers prepared for Thursday’s road game at Minnesota as Big Ten play resumes. After losses to Texas A&M and Auburn, the two-time defending conference champions will take a small measure of momentum on the road.

Smith broke his previous career high of 27 with a 3-pointer with 8:25 to play. He finished with 34 points and 12 assists.

(*denotes Man of the Match)

STARTERS

∎ Braden Smith: 9/10*

Clearly was feeling it from the time he walked in the arena. Connected on a couple of early 3s to get in a groove, setting him off on a high-volume/high-gravity night. Hit a couple of big transition 3s in the second half when Toledo threatened to make it a one-possession game. Added 12 assists, four rebounds and three steals to go with his 34 points.

∎ Fletcher Loyer: 7/10

Turned things on late in an 18-4 first-half run. Scored 12 points in the final 5:39 before halftime. A nearly scoreless second half (he hit a 3 in final minute) but Smith was hot and Trey Kaufman-Renn was taking charge in the lane.

∎ Myles Colvin: 6/10

Now 1-for-14 from 3 over the past four games after missing all three attempts. Getting good looks and taking smart shots, though, and that will pay off when the “slump” ends.

∎ Camden Heide: 6/10

Could not quite synch up on a couple of lob opportunities in the first half. One of the guys who could help a lot by asserting himself a bit more as a rebounder.

∎ Trey Kaufman-Renn: 8/10

Another night on which it felt too much of the rebounding weight fell on his shoulders. In another familiar sight, Boilers opened the second half by getting him the ball repeatedly. Is trying to set a physical tone, whether everyone else is picking it up or not. Kaufman-Renn scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half and finished 11-of-14 from the floor.

RESERVES

∎ Raleigh Burgess: 6/10

First big off the bench with Will Berg (ankle) unavailable. Keeps providing some glimpses of where he could take his game — in this case, as a high-post passer hitting Kaufman-Renn and others on the block.

∎ Gicarri Harris: 7/10

One of the best rebounding averages on the team with four in 12 minutes. Took one coast-to-coast for a goaltended layup. Little things adding up.

∎ Caleb Furst: 7/10

Five rebounds off the bench and knocked down a couple of free throws.

∎ C.J. Cox: 7/10

Not one of his loud scoring performances off the bench, but a couple of points, three rebounds and two assists still help.

∎ Brian Waddell: N/A

Subbed in for final 51 seconds.

∎ Sam King: N/A

Subbed in for final 51 seconds.