Purdue coach Matt Painter still has Zach Edey dominating the post and Mason Gillis doing the dirty work inside. Just like last year. But this season, the top-seeded Boilermakers have a different element to their game — consistent 3-point shooting.
Purdue guard Braden Smith talks with teammates after missing a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. Purdue guard Lance Jones shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Smith responded by dishing out 240 assists and breaking the single-season school record that stood for nearly a half century, flirted with multiple triple-doubles and earned first-team all-Big Ten honors. Loyer’s shooting percentage increased from 32.9% in 2022-23 to 43.9% this season and he ranks second on the team with 54 3-pointers.
Despite shooting a combined 39.6% from the field and 34.4% on 3-pointers over the entire season, Smith and Loyer made just 35.7% percent of their shots and 24.4% from beyond the arc over the 11 games leading into tourney play. Then in Game 35, against Fairleigh Dickinson, Smith and Loyer were 6 of 20 from the field, 4 of 14 on 3s and had seven assists and nine turnovers, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable against the Knights.
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