Purdue Makes Big Announcement For Braden Smith's Senior Season
Following the disappointing exit, the junior guard had a big decision to make regarding the 2025 NBA Draft. After taking some time to think about it, Smith announced he would be returning for his senior season. With the All-American coming back, Purdue has become one of the favorites to win the 2026 title.
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"Running it back one last time," Smith wrote on Instagram. "Purdue has given me everything: memories, challenges, growth, and a family. There's still more to prove, more to accomplish, and more moments to create with my brothers."
With excitement brewing for the 2025-26 season in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue announced its non-conference schedule on Tuesday morning.
"What's ahead of us," Purdue Men's Basketball wrote on X. "🚂 The non-conference schedule."
Along with tough competition in the Big Ten, Purdue will be taking on numerous non-conference teams that made the 2025 tournament.
Purdue will open the new season with an exhibition against the Kentucky Wildcats before facing another SEC team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, in mid-November. It will also face Iowa State, Marquette and Auburn in December.
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The Boilermakers' full non-conference schedule is as follows:
Kentucky – October 24 (Lexington, KY; Exhibition)
UIndy – October 29 (Home; Exhibition)
Evansville – November 4 (Home)
Oakland – November 7 (Home)
Alabama – November 13 (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Akron – November 16 (Home)
Baha Mar – November 20 & 21 (Nassau, Bahamas)
Eastern Illinois – November 28 (Home)
Iowa State – December 6 (Home)
Marquette – December 13 (Home)
Auburn – December 20 (Indianapolis, IN)
Kent State – December 29 (Home)
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3).Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Smith was one of the better offensive players in the entire nation during his junior year. The 6-footer out of Westfield, Indiana, averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game. His assist numbers ranked second in all of college basketball, behind Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (9.8).
Related: 7-foot-1 Center Makes Transfer Portal Decision on Monday
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