Purdue claimed the Big Ten tournament championship with an 80-72 victory over No. 3 Michigan on Sunday in Chicago. Oscar Cluff led the Boilermakers with 21 points while Trey Kaufman-Renn added 20 points in the decisive win. The No. 18 Boilermakers improved to 27-8 on the season with their first Big Ten tournament title since 2023.

Braden Smith delivered a stellar all-around performance with 14 points, 11 assists, and three steals for Purdue. The senior point guard wore No. 41 after his jersey ripped early in the game and helped orchestrate the offense with precision, particularly in the second half. Smith's pick-and-roll work with Kaufman-Renn proved pivotal as the Boilermakers shot 15 for 26 in the final period.

Michigan's Aday Mara posted 17 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Yaxel Lendeborg scored 20 points for the Wolverines. The top-seeded team (31-3) had beaten Purdue 91-80 in their regular-season meeting on February 17. Purdue's victory marks a significant turnaround after closing the regular season with four losses in six games, showcasing their resilience and tournament readiness.