Purdue Outlasts Alabama in a Top-10 Thriller, 87-80
In a game that had more twists and turns than a Stephen King novel, the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers pulled off a gritty 87-80 road victory against the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide. If you were looking for a snoozer, you picked the wrong channel. This early-season, top-10 showdown felt more like a March Madness Elite Eight game, complete with 21 lead changes, haymakers from beyond the arc, and a point guard who decided he was simply not going to lose.
The final moments were pure, uncut basketball drama. With the score knotted at 80 and the clock ticking down under two minutes, it felt like the entire state of Alabama was holding its breath. Then, Purdue’s floor general, Braden Smith, decided it was closing time. He sliced to the rim for a go-ahead layup and then, with ice in his veins, calmly sank two free throws in the final 47 seconds to seal the deal. It was a gutsy, put-the-team-on-my-back performance that had Boilermaker fans everywhere nodding in approval.
Smith’s Second-Half Heroics
Let’s be honest, for a while there, things looked shaky. But with about 11 minutes left, Braden Smith flipped a switch. The Tide had just nudged ahead 61-57, and the home crowd was rocking. That’s when Smith apparently had enough. He went into what can only be described as “full nuclear status,” dropping 14 of his game-high 29 points down the stretch. He wasn’t just scoring; he was controlling the entire game, orchestrating the offense with the confidence of a seasoned pro. By the final buzzer, he had stuffed the stat sheet with 29 points, seven rebounds and four assists, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the nation’s best.
The Battle on the Boards
If you want to know the real story of this game, look no further than the glass. Purdue absolutely mauled Alabama on the boards, winning the rebound battle by a staggering 52-28 margin. It was a clinic in toughness and physicality. Leading the charge was Trey Kaufman-Renn, who played like a man possessed. He was a force of nature in the paint, gobbling up 15 rebounds to go along with 19 crucial points. After looking “allergic to rebounding” in their first two games, the Boilermakers made it their mission to own the paint, and it paid off in a huge way.
Alabama’s Tale of Two Halves
For the Crimson Tide, this one will sting. They came out of the gates looking like the Golden State Warriors, draining an incredible 10 three-pointers in the first half. Freshman Aden Holloway was on fire, hitting four threes on his way to 14 first-half points and finishing with a team-high 21. It seemed like they couldn’t miss, and for a team that had been shooting a paltry 30% from deep, it was a welcome sight for their fans.
However, basketball is a fickle game. That same hot hand went ice-cold in the second half. The Tide went a dismal 6-for-23 from three-point range after halftime, and that drought was the opening Purdue needed. Despite the loss, Alabama showed they can hang with the best. Their ability to force nine turnovers while only giving up six, plus their eight steals, proved their defense can create opportunities. They just couldn’t overcome Purdue’s dominance on the boards and Smith’s heroic finish. This team has the firepower to make a deep run, but they’ll need to find more consistency to get there.
This wasn’t just another non-conference game; it was a statement. Purdue proved they have the grit and the star power to win tough games on the road, even when their backs are against the wall. For Alabama, it’s a tough lesson but a valuable one. Circle your calendars for a potential rematch in March, because if this game was any indication, that would be an absolute spectacle.
