Braden Smith had another double-double Thursday, scoring 16 points and dishing out 14 assists. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell called the junior a 'special player.'

Steve Pikiell has made a long-awaited move for a huge home game. The Rutgers coach told WRSU in a pregame interview ahead of Thursday night’s crucial matchup with No. 20 Purdue that he is benching starting center Emmanuel Ogbole for the first time this season and giving freshman Lathan Sommerville the first start of his career.

Purdue point guard Braden Smith notched his seventh points-and-assists double-double in a road win at Rutgers.

Rutgers took another step backward in a season that is quickly flying off the rails. The Scarlet Knights (8-8, 1-4) suffered a 78-60 loss to No. 20 Purdue in Piscataway on Thursday, marking their third straight defeat,

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 16 points apiece to lead No. 20 Purdue to a 68-50 win over Rutgers on Thursday night. Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, had 14 assists.

The Scarlet Knights are trending toward a campaign they will never forget — but for the wrong reasons.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 16 points apiece to lead No. 20 Purdue to a 68-50 win over Rutgers on Thursday night. Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, had 14 assists.