Braden Smith sets Big Ten’s career assists record as No. 5 Purdue defeats Wisconsin 89-73

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Braden Smith became the Big Ten’s career assists leader, Fletcher Loyer scored 20 points and No. 5 Purdue defeated Wisconsin 89-73 on Saturday night.

Smith had 12 assists to increase his career total to 893 and break the record formerly held by Cassius Winston, who compiled 890 career assists with Michigan State from 2017-20.

Smith is averaging 9.6 assists per game and entered Saturday leading all Division I players in that category. The large contingent of Purdue fans at the Kohl Center chanted “Braden Smith!” and gave him a standing ovation after he broke Winston’s record.

The 6-foot senior also had 14 points as Purdue (13-1, 3-0 Big Ten) continued its hot streak.Since losing 81-58 to No. 3 Iowa State on Dec. 8 — a defeat that dropped Purdue out of the No. 1 ranking — the Boilermakers have won each of their last five games by an average margin of 26.6 points.