No. 3 Purdue achieved a significant victory over No. 12 Illinois with a final score of 77-71, securing their second consecutive outright Big Ten regular-season title. The win was highlighted by standout performances from Zach Edey, Braden Smith, Mason Gillis, Fletcher Loyer, and Lance Jones. Edey was particularly dominant in the first half, while his teammates stepped up significantly after the break. Purdue's victory, which saw 74 of 77 points scored by the starters, was not only a testament to their resilience, overcoming an early 10-point deficit, but also marked their first time winning seven straight games against AP-ranked teams since the 1987-88 season. This win improves Purdue's record to 27-3 overall and 16-3 in the conference, with the Boilermakers hosting the Badgers next.
Tuesday College HOOPS INSANITY: Purdue-Illinois, Bama-Florida + a look ahead to a WILD Wednesday https://t.co/Yo5u1yHqzP
Impressive comeback.. Loyer and Smith man.. when they play wellโฆ I want so badly to believe https://t.co/YvEj473CY2
Purdue is the first team to win back-to-back solo Big Ten regular season titles since 2006-07 OSU. This is @BoilerBallโs first time winning 7 straight games vs AP-ranked teams since 1987-88 (8 straight). https://t.co/HNv8EAwFO5
Here's another look at Braden Smith's dagger. ๐ฅถ @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/km2Wgvvr8e
Purdue has earned your skepticism. Doubt them at your peril. Both things can be true. #BoilerUp
BOILER UPโผ๏ธ๐ No. 3 Purdue beats No. 12 Illinois to win back to back outright Big Ten regular season titles.๐ค https://t.co/Ji2w3jbrkx
BOILER UPโผ๏ธ๐ Purdue beats No. 12 Illinois to win back to back outright Big Ten regular season titles.๐ค https://t.co/okc277ZCGY
Zach Edey had himself a GAME. ๐ https://t.co/yIsIJb5lnl
No. 3 Purdue wins at No. 12 Illinois to make it b2b outright B1G titles. ๐ค https://t.co/Ya2wwsO04w
No one should have any doubts about @BoilerBall toughness and resiliency. The comeback win @IlliniMBB might be the Boilermakers most impressive W in quite some time. And Braden Smith is a LOCK for first-team all-@B1GMBBall and is having an all-American season.
Most underrated point guard in America ? This guy Braden Smith โฆ @BoilerBall wins back 2 back outright Big 10 titles โฆ beat the Illini 77-71 on the road . https://t.co/DmPtcvxBLl
NO. 3 PURDUE TAKES DOWN NO. 12 ILLINOIS IN A THRILLER TO BECOME BACK-TO-BACK BIG TEN REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS. ๐ค https://t.co/3d4qlM05h4
The Big Ten Regular Season Champs: Purdue ๐ Matt Painter and the Boilermakers go BACK TO BACK to win their 4th Big Ten regular season title in the last eight years! ๐ฅ https://t.co/6FbFkuqnZm
NO. 3 PURDUE WINS A CRUCIAL GAME ๐ค The Boilermakers spoil senior night for No. 12 Illinois with a massive road win ๐ https://t.co/mfuWjnlftw
Team effort for Purdue in the 77-71 road win at Illinois. Zach Edey went for 28, and Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, Mason Gillis and Lance Jones all made some big plays in the second half for the Boilermakers - who improve what was already the best resume in America.
BIG-time win for Purdue. Boilermakers trailed for 28 of the first 30 minutes at Illinois and Zach Edey was basically keeping them in it alone ... Then Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith and Mason Gillis stepped up. They combined for 27 points, 7 of 8 3s, 6 assists, 1 TO in 2H.
FINAL: No. 3 Purdue 77, No. 12 Illinois 71 Fantastic second half on the road from the Boilermakers. Zach Edey was dominant early, but big shots late from Mason Gillis, Fletcher Loyer, Lance Jones, Braden Smith. Dagger after dagger. Purdue clinches back-to-back outright titles.
No. 3 Purdue's second-half comeback against No. 12 Illinois gives them another conference win ๐ช https://t.co/o9sVwn0aLh
BRADEN SMITH WITH THE DAGGER ๐คฏ No. 3 Purdue def. No. 12 Illinois 77-71 ๐ฅ https://t.co/CLVfnnuUyH
Purdue figured out Illinois. Itโs Domask you need to stop. Heโs the head of the snake.
Purdue goes on the road against Illinois. I've been critical at times this year. But they made *every* big play tonight, in the toughest road environment they've played in all year. Mega win. Deserving of all the credit they've gotten. Nothing but respect.
Purdue goes into Illinois and takes care of business. #B1G
Most underrated point guard in America ? No brainer โฆ @BoilerBall Braeden Smith โฆ Boilers knock off the Illini on the road โฆ #Boiler Up โฆ Boilers win 77-71 โฆ Back 2 back outright Big 10 titles . https://t.co/VQlBTOcH9c
B1G hoops: Purdue overcomes an early 10-point deficit and clinches outright league title with a 77-71 victory at Illinois. Boilers (27-3, 16-3) got 74 of 77 points from starters. They host #Badgers on Sunday.
No. 3 Purdue wins at No. 12 Illinois to earn second consecutive outright Big Ten regular-season title. Zach Edey and Braden Smith were awesome as ever, but Mason Gillis and Fletcher Loyer and Lance Jones also gonna get some love in the #columncoming
BRADEN SMITH ONIONNNSSS๐ง ๐ฅ https://t.co/u5Y2rewJvX
BRADEN. SMITH. A HUGE three late for Purdue! ๐ค ๐บ @peacock https://t.co/g51OtBpZcZ
Biggest difference between this Purdue team and last yearโs is Braden Smith. One of the best PGs in the country. What a big time shot.
ICE IN HIS VEINS!!! ๐ฅถ @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/44ceF50l3I
Fletch got a piece of it ๐ @FletcherLoyer x @BoilerBall https://t.co/x20I6RqrT7
Mason Gillis with a couple of huge 3โs to give Purdue a 64-58 lead at Illinois. It was all Zach Edey in the first half. Now the big man has gotten some help after the break.
Braden Smith drills the big 3-pointer. ๐ฏ @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall ๐ป: Peacock https://t.co/NkK1cElSBP
Take it. MAKE IT. @3bradensmith knocks it down for @BoilerBall https://t.co/nJxuz88frZ
Zach Edey is starting to take over. ๐ค @zach_edey x @BoilerBall ๐ป: Peacock https://t.co/9lNZjb4jAV
Zach Edey ties it all up! ๐ช @zach_edey x @BoilerBall https://t.co/YF1EN4goP7
Jones with the snag, Smith polishes it off! ๐ @LanceBuckets x @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/szliCjs5xs
Stop us if you've heard this before: It's Braden Smith to Zach Edey for the @BoilerBall dunk. ๐ป: Peacock https://t.co/olHkvq1qX8
Special delivery for Zach Edey ๐ @zach_edey x @BoilerBall https://t.co/nJDK2s7aJZ
#3 Purdue visits #12 Illinois in the college basketball game of the day! It doesn't matter who you like - we have the best odds on both sides tonight. https://t.co/OuczAbQNOJ
The Big Ten Regular Season Champs: Purdue ๐ Matt Painter and the Boilermakers go BACK-to-BACK to get their 26th Big Ten regular season title! ๐ฅ https://t.co/uNUt1kecIT
Zach Edey just keeps doing his thing ๐ @zach_edey x @BoilerBall https://t.co/mOvpl52uEg
Me and bestie knowing we won ๐ @zach_edey x @LanceBuckets x @BoilerBall https://t.co/rYNjGmcxkI
Flying down the court ๐จ @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/C5GyAj9JpF
GET THE PEOPLE GOING!! ๐คฉ @3bradensmith is HYPE! @BoilerBall https://t.co/3UaFCyUS0L
Edey AND ONE! ๐ช @zach_edey x @BoilerBall https://t.co/No0PyxD1Dx
Brad3n Smith. That's it. @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/WzKY5aKN5D
Yooo this was NOICE! ๐ฎโ๐จ @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/s2jfFJN9sN