By SAM LANCE
When the final buzzer sounded in Purdue’s 72-66 win over Tennessee to advance to the Boilermakers’ first Final Four since 1980, Zach Edey went straight to his coach Matt Painter and gave him a big ‘ole hug.
The two have been through a lot together. First a loss to a 13-seed in North Texas in 2021. Then a loss to 15-seed Saint Peter’s, followed by the second-ever loss to a No. 16 seed in NCAA Tournament history last season.
But that doesn’t matter anymore, as Edey’s career-high 40 points has sent Purdue to Phoenix.
“All these guys have played so hard and they’ve worked on their game, put a lot of time into it,” Painter said on CBS postgame. “We had to sit in it. We had to take it. And sometimes when you sit in it, you’re honest with yourself. And [if] you take it, some great things can happen.”
Edey scored 21 of Purdue’s 36 points in the second half including 18 of the Boilermakers’ last 25 down the stretch. He also had the game-winning block against Tennessee All-American guard Dalton Knecht, who was on fire as well. This block came after Edey missed two free throws, including an airball. Quite the response.
Edey and Knecht are the first players on opposite teams to go for at least 30 points in an Elite Eight game or later since 1990, per the CBS broadcast. Knecht finished with 37 points. With Purdue’s win, the Big 10 conference is alive for its first title since Michigan State in 2000. Joining Edey in double-figures for Purdue was sophomore guard Fletcher Loyer with 14 points. Sophomore point guard Braden Smith made an impact as well with nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Senior transfer guard Lance Jones had a rough game with only seven points but hit one of the biggest 3-pointers of the game late. Edey is now the first player since 1977 with multiple games of 30 points and 15 rebounds in a single tournament. “Obviously we wanted to isolate Zach and get him down there” Painter said. “We missed a lot of threes we normally make, missed a lot of free throws. We stayed with it. Tennessee is a tough bunch. Great coach. Just proud of our guys man. Just proud of our guys to be able to pull through in a tough game.” Purdue will play the winner of Duke-NC State in Phoenix on Saturday. Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookZACH EDEY REJECTS DALTON KNECHT AT THE RIM.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 31, 2024
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