Purdue's Zach Edey, Braden Smith Not Overhyping Rivalry Game vs. Indiana

Purdue stars Zach Edey and Braden Smith both acknowledged the rivalry game with Indiana is important. But does it mean more than other Big Ten matchups? Neither Edey nor Smith wanted to go quite that far.

For most residents living within state borders, the Purdue-Indiana game is the most important on the schedule. But Boilermakers stars Zach Edey and Braden Smith aren't overhyping Tuesday night's tilt with the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall (7 p.m. ET, Peacock).

Both Edey and Smith acknowledged the significance of the rivalry — and what the outcome means to both programs. But they also didn't oversell it.

"Yeah, it's definitely a huge game. It always has been," Smith said. "Just excited to be part of it and excited to compete in."

When asked if he viewed it as another Big Ten game, Smith provided an interesting response.

"Yeah, I mean, that's how I look at all the games," he said. "Obviously, at the end of the year, it's just another game. 

Purdue is just 1-3 in its last four meetings against Indiana. That includes a pair of losses to the Hoosiers during the 2022-23 season. Does that add a little more fuel to the fire for the Boilers?

"I think we have something to prove every game we play," Edey said. "Every game is a new opportunity to prove ourselves. Every game is big.

"There's no game that's worth more than one win or one loss. Every game is big. We know what type of game this is. We know what this means for the school, but every game is big for us."

Smith got his first taste of the Purdue-Indiana rivalry last season, with the Boilermakers on the wrong end of both games. 

"I knew about it. I didn't watch it a whole lot," Smith said, when asked if he knew about the intensity of the rivalry growing up. "It's obviously a fun environment to be a part of."

Purdue's lack of success against Indiana has come at no fault of Edey. In the last four seasons, the 7-foot-4 center is averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

Even though Indiana stars Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino are gone, Edey acknowledged the Hoosiers still have plenty of firepower.

"It's a different team, for sure," he said. "They have different strengths, different weaknesses. We can attack with a different game plan."

Primarily, Purdue will want to keep an eye on the tandem of Kel'el Ware and Malik Reneau. It's a combination that Boilermakers coach Matt Painter raved about.

"Their ability to have two guys who have great size and length, that can both post up and shoot the ball on the perimeter," Painter said. "They're both really good athletes. They run the floor, get on the glass, they're skilled, they're athletic. They have a real good connection between the two of them, too. You see some of the lobs that Reneau throws Ware. They have that connectivity."

Purdue has struggled on the road. Indiana has had its issues against quality opponents. It should create a really fun environment in Assembly Hall on Tuesday night.

Related Purdue-Indiana Stories

• HOW TO WATCH: Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Tuesday night's rivalry game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers. The game is available only on Peacock, and starts at 7 p.m. ET. CLICK HERE
• PAINTER ON INDIANA-PURDUE RIVALRY: Matt Painter has been part of the Purdue-Indiana rivalry for nearly 25 years. The Boilermakers coach talked about what makes this heated in-state rivalry so special and also recounted his favorite memory against the Hoosiers. CLICK HERE
• GALLOWAY KEY VS. PURDUE: If Indiana is going to extend its 3-1 record against Purdue under Mike Woodson, it needs a signature game from Trey Galloway, who played an integral role in last year’s wins. Though his shooting numbers are down from last year, Galloway is at his best at Assembly Hall. CLICK HERE
• EDEY VS. INDIANA: Purdue's Zach Edey is averaging 20.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks against Indiana in the last four meetings. Yet the Hoosiers are 3-1 against the Boilermakers in that stretch. How is IU winning games without shutting down the big man? CLICK HERE
• MEET THE OPPONENT: Zach Edey is putting together another National Player of the Year campaign, while guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have made the sophomore year jump Purdue needed to be in the mix for a national title. Here's a full breakdown of Indiana's Tuesday opponent, the Purdue Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
• TOM BREW COLUMN: Indiana has won two straight against Purdue at Assembly Hall, and they get another chance on Tuesday night. The Hoosiers keep winning at home — they're 3-0 in Big Ten games — but will it be enough against a Purdue team that's really solid up and down the lineup? CLICK HERE