2/10/2025 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Super Sunday Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
I am typing this article while watching the greatest sporting event in the world. I love the Indianapolis 500, but this is bigger. March Madness is amateur hour compared to this Sunday. It’s not the CFB Playoff, it’s not the World Series, it’s not the Masters, nor is it the Wrestlemania. There is something special about this Sunday. Parties, chicken wings, cheers, tears, and triumph. This is a day that I look forward to all year.
Man, I sure do love the Puppy Bowl!
The Games:
#7 Purdue 90, Iowa 81
A back and forth affair, led to Purdue surging and holding Iowa at arm’s length. The turning point? Some idiot Iowa fan talked trash to Braden Smith mid game… didn’t work out well for Iowa.
Braden Smith had an electric 31 points, drilling 5 threes, hauling in 6 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. Trey Kaufman-Renn battled foul trouble but still added 25 pts & 10 rebounds, while Caleb Furst tallied double digits with 10 pts & 9 rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Solid performances by CJ Cox and Fletcher Loyer, who each added 9 points, helped secure the road victory.
USC 72, #7 Purdue 90
A game that my cardiologist, wife, and general well being benefited from, Purdue jumped out to an early lead and coasted to an easy win.
Trey Kaufman-Renn led the way with 24 points & 10 rebounds. Fletcher Loyer added 14, while Caleb Furst narrowly missed a double-double again with 9 pts & 10 rb. Braden Smith only scored 9 points, but dished out a gaudy 13 assists. Cj Cox, Raleigh Burgess, Gicarri Harris, and Myles Colvin had great performances in the easy Boilermaker win.
Purdue – USC Gallery by Mark Elsner: https://iscpurdue.com/purdue-mens-basketball-vs-usc-2-7-25/
Break It Down:
Purdue did what they needed to do. They took care of business, and didn’t bottom out or step on a landmine. This team continues to improve, and is currently sitting in first place in the Big 10. They control their own destiny, but are heading into a gauntlet ahead. While the early part of the season wasn’t what we are used to as Purdue fans, the turn of 2025 has shown that Purdue isn’t just a good team, they’re trending towards elite status.
What Went Well:
- Braden Smith: His competitive streak is nothing to be trifled with. He has been called a “psychopath” in the best of ways as a competitor. Yes, Iowa fans sitting courtside, poke the most dynamic player in the country.
- TKR: Continues to play at an All-American level, alongside Braden. This week he averaged 24.5 points, and did everything in his power to make his opponents miserable. The only thing that can stop him? Foul trouble and accidental kicks to the head.
- 48%: From three against Iowa is what I like to see. We know that Purdue can be an elite shooting squad, but they are streaky. Luckily the Boilers are finding ways to win even when they’re not bombing away.
Opportunities for Improvement:
- Clowns: Or, as Matt Painter eloquently put it, “non-basketball people making basketball decisions” in regards to people making honors watch lists. In case you missed it, TKR is currently trending as the #8 player in the National Player of the Year according to analytics. Two award watch lists for big men were released this week. The Kareem Abdul Jabbar Watch List highlights the top 10 centers in the nation. The Karl Malone Watch List highlights the top 10 power forwards in the nation. TKR, despite being analytically a top-10 performer in the nation, was not listed on either of those lists. Keep up the disrespect, you’re just making yourself look ignorant.
Big Man on Campus:
Caleb Furst might not be scoring 30 points or hitting 4 threes a game, but he is the poster boy for “sum is greater than [his] parts”. This week he narrowly missed 2 double-doubles, but his energy, his discipline, and consistency has been key from turning Purdue from a good team, into an elite team. There is a reason why the Boilers have began to surge the last month, and it coincides with a heavier influx of Caleb Furst, and his insertion into the starting lineup.
A Look Ahead:
The (as of this writing) #7 Purdue Boilermakers have a tough week ahead of them, playing two ranked foes. Purdue goes on the road against (as of this writing) #25 Michigan on Tuesday. Don’t let the last outcome fool you, this Michigan team is tough, and will be looking for revenge. On Saturday, Purdue returns home to take on (as of this writing) #21 Wisconsin. Both of these are tough teams, and if Purdue wants to remain in the Big 10 Title hunt, they need to do what they do… just keep winning.
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