The Athletic

[boilerzz]

Braden Smith, junior guard, Purdue​

Stats: 15.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 38.8 percent 3PT, 86.2 percent FT

The nation’s third-leading assister, who still has Purdue playing like a Big Ten favorite despite losing his two-time Wooden Award winning teammate? Yes, we’re still very much in on Smith. With Zach Edey in the NBA, the spotlight in West Lafayette is firmly on Smith, and thus far he’s proven more than capable of keeping the Boilermakers in contention. Obviously much of that stems from his ballhandling and passing — Smith is tops nationally in assist rate, per KenPom — but Smith has also grown as a scorer.

Look no further than the 24 points he had in a 27-point blowout over Michigan on Friday — his sixth 20-point effort this season, or more than he had in his first two seasons combined. Between that and his pesky on-ball defense — Smith has more games (9) with three-plus steals than games with one or no steals (6) — the 6-footer has been arguably the best point guard in the nation.

Men’s college basketball All-America team: Cooper Flagg, Johni Broome, Kam Jones top midseason list

A Purdue guard filling huge shoes and a star transfer for Memphis are also among those honored on our midseason team.

www.nytimes.com

 

[proudopete]

Braden Smith, junior guard, Purdue​

Stats: 15.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 38.8 percent 3PT, 86.2 percent FT

The nation’s third-leading assister, who still has Purdue playing like a Big Ten favorite despite losing his two-time Wooden Award winning teammate? Yes, we’re still very much in on Smith. With Zach Edey in the NBA, the spotlight in West Lafayette is firmly on Smith, and thus far he’s proven more than capable of keeping the Boilermakers in contention. Obviously much of that stems from his ballhandling and passing — Smith is tops nationally in assist rate, per KenPom — but Smith has also grown as a scorer.

Look no further than the 24 points he had in a 27-point blowout over Michigan on Friday — his sixth 20-point effort this season, or more than he had in his first two seasons combined. Between that and his pesky on-ball defense — Smith has more games (9) with three-plus steals than games with one or no steals (6) — the 6-footer has been arguably the best point guard in the nation.

Men’s college basketball All-America team: Cooper Flagg, Johni Broome, Kam Jones top midseason list

A Purdue guard filling huge shoes and a star transfer for Memphis are also among those honored on our midseason team.

www.nytimes.com

His pesky on ball defense? Pretty sure he is seldom on ball on defense.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

His pesky on ball defense? Pretty sure he is seldom on ball on defense.

Just because he doesn't always guard the guy bringing the ball up doesn't mean he doesn't guard players with the ball often. But I'd agree, especially recently he's gotten more of his steals reading the pass and getting in the passing lanes.