Purdue gets needed win to open Big Ten play at Rutgers, in dominant fashion

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Purdue men’s basketball, at long last, made an emphatic statement in Tuesday’s Big Ten road opener at Rutgers.

The No. 1 Boilermakers cruised to a 81-65 victory at Jersey Mike’s Arena. They had lost five of their last six Big Ten road openers and six of their last seven December road games.

Here's what I liked and disliked, and what the Boilers' win means.

What I liked in Purdue basketball's win at Rutgers

Gicarri Harris finally got going a bit Friday against Eastern Illinois. That spark carried into Tuesday, when he hit three first-half 3s while scoring 11 points before the break. That was one short of his career high — set in that win over the Panthers.

The shooting boost in particular was important — and not merely because Rutgers essentially dared Purdue to beat it outside with its 2-3 zone. Harris' inconsistent minutes naturally sometimes results in less consistent shooting chances. As a result it took him a while to find his stroke as a freshman. He seems to be warming up already in Year 2.

∙ Trey Kaufman-Renn spent about as much time on the floor as the Jersey Mike’s logo in the first half. He still nearly had a double-double at halftime — nine points, eight rebounds. He also chipped in a couple of assists, dribbling into the center of the zone and facilitating from there.

He reached the double-double before the under-16 timeout in the second half. The biggest effect of Jack Benter’s absence due to illness was if Kaufman-Renn fell into foul trouble. Instead, when both centers picked up two first-half fouls, he slid down to the 5 and Liam Murphy played some extra minutes at the 4.

∙ Oscar Cluff’s passing remains an underrated part of the elite offensive efficiency so far. He came in averaging 2.1 assists per game. (He averaged 2.8 per game last season at South Dakota State while averaging more minutes.) He had two more by halftime when Purdue got the ball inside against the zone and he kicked back out.

What I disliked in Purdue basketball's win at Rutgers

Purdue could have put this away earlier if not for some mid-range shooting issues early. A 4-for-13 start on 2-point field goals slowed things down a bit. Of course, Purdue also offset that with its offensive rebounding.

∙ Too bad for Jack Benter to miss a long-awaited Big Ten opener with illness. Only positive is the opportunity it created for Staten Island native Murphy, who played some extra minutes in both his return from injury and the closest thing the Big Ten offers him to a homecoming.

On Murphy: Transfer sharpshooter has title goals with Purdue basketball, and to represent his borough

What Purdue basketball's win at Rutgers means

First Big Ten win out of the way — and considering how those first road forays had been going, Purdue could not assume anything. Now the Boilermakers won't start Big Ten play in a hole.

They head back home for another big nonconference challenge. Iowa State brings All-America candidate Joshua Jackson and one of the nation’s best defenses into Mackey Arena on Saturday.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball score today at Rutgers, game stats, likes, dislikes