Auburn is coming off a blowout loss at the hands or Purdue, but head coach, Steven Pearl, is not surpised by the blowout.

Braden Smith had another outstanding performance on Saturday, this time against Auburn. One statistic from the Indy Classic stood out more than others.

Auburn star point guard Tahaad Pettiford is dealing with an ankle injury suffered during Saturday's blowout against Purdue.

The No. 21 Auburn Tigers face the No. 6 Purdue Boilermakers in the Indy Classic on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Boilermakers have transformed into the team they looked like before losing to Iowa State. Perhaps they're even better after it.

After defeating Purdue 87-69 last year, Auburn faces a stronger Boilermakers squad that features the "best passer in college basketball" in Braden Smith.

Ex-Auburn coach Bruce Pearl explained how Matt Painter took Purdue's loss to the Tigers in Birmingham as a positive and a teachable moment.