WEST LAFAYETTE − An early season top-10 battle that was as good as advertised.
Purdue basketball senior tandem Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn proved to be the offensive counter to Alabama’s 3-point barrage.
The senior duo combined for 48 points to lift the unbeaten Boilermakers (3-0), ranked No. 1 in the USA Today coaches poll, over No. 9 Alabama 87-80 at Coleman Coliseum.
After going 10-for-21 from 3 in the first half, Alabama went cold from beyond the arc in the second (6 of 25) and Purdue showed its prowess as a strong rebounding team in its first time playing with All-Big Ten forward Kaufman-Renn this season.
Purdue basketball turning point vs. Alabama
When Purdue couldn’t find a field goal down the stretch, the Boilermakers made sure Alabama couldn’t either. The Crimson Tide missed three straight 3s in the final minute. Oscar Cluff rebounded the first two and made 3 of 4 free throws.
It marks the third straight season Purdue beat Alabama, including a neutral site game in Toronto in 2023, and at Mackey Arena last season.
How many assists did Braden Smith have vs. Alabama
Purdue senior point guard Braden Smith had four assists against Alabama, giving him 782 in his career.
Smith needs 294 assists to tie the NCAA record held by former Duke guard Bobby Hurley.
3 stars for Purdue basketball vs. Alabama
Trey Kaufman-Renn: After missing Purdue’s first two games, Kaufman-Renn came out like he was trying to make up for lost time. By halftime, he scored 17 points, the most in a half in the redshirt senior’s career. Kaufman-Renn finished with his fifth career double-double. Kaufman-Renn briefly exited with 4:35 to go, but returned with 2:55 to go, helping the Boilers close the door and finishing with 19 points and 15 rebounds, including 8 offensive.
Braden Smith: When the Boilermakers needed offense, Smith, last year’s Cousy Award winner, went into shot hunting mode. After Kaufman-Renn’s 17 points in the opening half, Smith one upped his teammate scoring 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second. He also had 7 rebounds.
Oscar Cluff: The transfer center from South Dakota State showed exactly why Matt Painter lured the 6-foot-10 Australian to Purdue. Cluff’s 11 rebounds helped Purdue dominate the boards 52-28. Cluff added 9 points.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue basketball led by Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn at Alabama
