The last time anyone saw Purdue basketball standout guard Braden Smith, the final seconds were rolling off the clock of the NCAA Championship in April.
Purdue basketball had fallen to Connecticut, 75-60, and the Boilermakers finished the season 34-5. Smith finished the national title tilt with 12 points, 8 assists and three rebounds and enters the upcoming season hungry to get Purdue basketball back into the national title chase as the Boilermakers opened their summer practice schedule recently.
A season ago, Smith was an All-Big Ten guard last season, averaging 12 points, 7.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. for a Purdue squad that captured the Big Ten Conference regular season championship.
Smith focused on getting stronger, better defensively
Smith is one of the key pieces back this coming season for a Purdue basketball team that will try to adapt to life without big man Zach Edey.
“We’ve got a great group of guys coming back, so that’s obviously nice to have that experience. We’ve got a lot of young guys coming in that have a lot of talent. I think our main focus right now is just leading them through summer and just trying to help them the best we can,” Smith told the media after his first summer practice.
Smith said he has enjoyed some down time since the season ended, while also working on getting stronger in the weight room. He also acknowledged the approach remains the same coming into this season.
“We are just trying to get better every single day. We obviously have new guys coming in, so just trying to get them to the level that we’re at and help them the best way possible,” Smith said.
He admitted the coaching staff also told him to work on his defensive play during the summer.
“Be more aggressive defensively and be able to pressure the ball a little bit better. That was really it. Paint said, offensively, everything just kind of works itself out, and he knows what I’m capable of,” Smith said.
Post Edey life begins for Purdue basketball
It’s no secret the Boilermakers will look different on both ends of the floor without Edey, something Smith is working to be ready for.
“It’s obviously going to be different. It’s more opportunities for us other guys — for me to go create and get other guys the ball. It’s going to be something new, but nothing that we’re not able to do,” Smith said, pointing out that he, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn will all have to shoulder the load offensively.
On the defensive end, the Boilermakers won’t have Edey to clog up the middle and secure rebounds.
“We definitely have to lock down more. It’s just another challenge for us and I think we’re capable of doing so. We’re a lot more athletic, and I think, wider. So, I think that should help,” Smith said.
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