By JOSH BODE
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Purdue senior guard Braden Smith started wearing a No. 41 jersey during the first half of the Big Ten Tournament championship game, rather than his usual No. 3 jersey. His new No. 41 jersey did not have a name on the back.
Smith, in the No. 41 jersey, had an incredible game in the Boilermakers’ win over Michigan to capture the Big Ten Tournament title. He had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and no turnovers.
Smith, the 2022 Mr. Basketball from Westfield, explained why he had to make the jersey switch.
“I ripped it (No. 3 jersey) fully with both hands like Superman style,” Smith said. “I was really frustrated. Just a lot of misses these past four games, and it’s just frustrating because I put a lot of time and work in. Obviously when you don’t see the result, it kind of gets to you and it got to me at that point. I figured I’d take it out on the jersey rather than take it out loud or to somebody else. That’s kind of just what happens. Just frustration.”
Smith had started the game with three straight misses, but ended up shooting 6-12 from the field in the championship game.
In his other three games of the Big Ten Tournament, Smith had shot 2-8 against Northwestern, 1-8 against Nebraska, and 1-7 against UCLA. But, the Boilermakers were able to win all four games and Smith racked up 46 assists on his way to being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
This story originally appeared on WISH-TV at wishtv.com/sports/basketball/purdue-basketball/purdues-braden-smith-explains-why-he-changed-jerseys-on-sunday/