Live Game Thread & Updates for No. 6 Purdue vs. Minnesota

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For the first time in the 2025-26 season, a Big Ten game will be played at Mackey Arena. No. 6 Purdue hosts Minnesota, which will be the second conference contest for each team. Both are 1-0 in league play entering Wednesday's game.

Follow along throughout the night for game updates, news and analysis as the Boilermakers host the Golden Gophers. You can refresh this page frequently throughout the night.

#6 Purdue vs. Minnesota live game blog

Highlights

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson hits his 3rd triple of the night 💥 @GopherMBB

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/2YWZNhBdUh
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 11, 2025

Early steal and score for Braden Smith 😤 @BoilerBall

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/pfd0mWqbpf
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 11, 2025

Almost every night.

Fancy.

📺: BTN

pic.twitter.com/6x06QCkblS
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) December 11, 2025

1st half

HALF: Purdue 35, Minnesota 32. Purdue attempted just 6 three points and made only 2 in that half. Minnesota was only 4-of-15 from distance, but connecting on 3 of their last 5. Braden Smith ended the half with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Oscar Cluff scored 8 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn had 6 points and 5 rebounds.

Minnesota was led by Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who scored 11 points. Langston Reynolds ended the half with 6 points.

1:13 — Minnesota has made 6 of its last 7 field goal attempts to cut into Purdue's lead even more. It's 33-30.

2:03 — Purdue looks really disconnected right now. Braden Smith was frustrated with Daniel Jacobsen after a failed lob attempt and then a wide-open triple. The Gophers have really sliced into this lead. It's 33-28 Purdue.

6:04 — Braden Smith has been all over the floor for the Boilermakers. He has 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Minnesota takes a timeout trailing 25-15. Smith will step to the line for a pair of free throws.

7:57 — We're at the third media timeout and Purdue leads 23-13. A big series for the Boilermakers just before the break, as Trey Kaufman-Renn finds Oscar Cluff for an easy bucket. Then, Braden Smith steals the inbounds pass and draws a foul. Purdue is 2-of-5 from three, but Minnesota is just 1-of-10.

8:38 — Purdue's defense is giving Minnesota some trouble. The Boilermakers have held the Gophers scoreless for more than three minutes. On the other end, Fletcher Loyer draws contact on a three-point attempt. He knocks down all three and pushes the Boilermaker lead to 21-11.

10:32 — Minnesota hasn't shot the ball well, but the Gophers have been able to get into the painted area and draw contact. The Gophers have already drawn three and-ones, which is exactly how they want to play.

11:56 — Purdue owns a 14-9 advantage at the second media timeout. Braden Smith is 3-of-5 from the floor and the rest of the team is just 2-of-7. It's another chilly shooting night for the Boilermakers, at least through the first eight minutes. Minnesota is settling for way too many threes and are 1-of-8 from deep.

15:58 — First media timeout and Purdue owns a 9-5 advantage. The Gophers are just 2-of-7 to start. Purdue's defense is playing well, but it's also living with open threes for Minnesota, a smart decision as this team shoots below 32% for the year from deep. before the media break, Cade Tyson knocked down a shot and was fouled by CJ Cox. He'll have a free throw out of the timeout.

17:00 — Purdue has come out aggressive and has an early 7-3 advantage on Minnesota. CJ Cox got the first basket of the night, but Braden Smith has five early points, knocking down a three-pointer then getting a steal and an easy layup in transition. A good start for the Boilers.

Pregame

Purdue's starters — #0 CJ Cox (G), #2 Fletcher Loyer (G), #3 Braden Smith (G), #4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (F), #45 Oscar Cluff (C).

Minnesota's starters — #1 Isaac Asuma (G), #6 Langston Reynolds (G), #3 Bobby Durkin (F), #5 Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (F), #10 Cade Tyson (F).

How to watch

What: Big Ten Conference game
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025
Tipoff time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. (14,876 capacity)
TV: Big Ten Network
App: FOX Sports
TV announcers: Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst), Andy Katz (reporter)
Radio: Purdue Global Radio Network — WAZY 96.5 FM (Lafayette); WKJG 100.9 FM (Fort Wayne); WNDE 1260 AM (Indianapolis); WGBF 1280 (Evansville); Sirius XM 84; View all listings: CLICK HERE
Radio announcers: Rob Blackman (play-by-play), Bobby Riddell (analyst), Wes Scott (producer).
Live stats: Purdue.StatBroadcast.com
All-time series: Purdue leads the all-time series vs. Minnesota 111-84
Most recent: Purdue defeated Minnesota in Minneapolis 81-61 on Jan. 2, 2025
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Purdue has a 92.8% chance to defeat Minnesota

Preview

Purdue and Minnesota enter Wednesday night's game after experiencing different results in their previous game. The Boilermakers suffered a 23-point loss on their home court to Iowa State. Meanwhile, the Gophers upset No. 22 Indiana in Minneapolis last week.

It's safe to assume Purdue will enter this Big Ten contest wanting to prove a point. Minnesota is probably as confident as it has been all season, which isn't a bad thing when you're entering one of the most intimidating environments in college basketball.

The Boilermakers shot poorly against Iowa State on Saturday, but don't expect that to continue. After combining for just nine points, expect Kaufman-Renn and Loyer to get rolling early at Mackey Arena, especially considering Minnesota's defensive issues. The Gophers rank 333rd nationally in three-point defense, a weakness Purdue can exploit.

If Loyer, Smith, CJ Cox and others can knock down some triples early, it will open up Kaufman-Renn and Cluff in the post. If not, life might be a little more difficult, but Purdue's frontcourt has the ability to bully Minnesota in the paint.

Minnesota has some versatile players in Tyson, Crocker-Johnson, and Reynolds, but this is a team that shoots just 31.7% from the three-point line and struggles to score at times. The positive for the Gophers is that they're holding opponents to just 67.9 points per game this season.

Ultimately, though, Purdue has more depth, experience and a better collection of shooters than Minnesota.

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