WEST LAFAYETTE – After an up-and-down first half, No. 6 Purdue laid waste to Minnesota in the final 20 minutes, getting 15 points and 12 assists from Braden Smith on the way to an 85-57 triumph at Mackey Arena on Wednesday.

Here's what stood out from the game.

Dialed in defensively

Defense has been a point of emphasis for Braden Smith this season. Already one of (if not) the most efficient offensive players in the country last season, he honed in on the other end of the floor as the area of his game that would take him and the Boilermakers to a higher level this season. Coach Matt Painter has spoken repeatedly about how the best players on championship teams have to be excellent defenders.

The early results of Smith's defensive improvement project have been mixed and he and the Boilers

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