After 44 years, Purdue will likely be making its return to the Remaining 4. On Sunday, the Boilermakers outlasted the Tennessee Volunteers, 72-66. It was a fierce back-and-forth Elite Eight matchup that includes spectacular performances from on each side. However nobody was extra outstanding than Zach Edey, who posted a career-high 40 factors, added 16 rebounds and powered his crew to the ultimate weekend of the 2024 NCAA Event.
Purdue was chilly from past the arc all sport, so the burden fell on Edey to provide and he stepped up huge time. The reigning Naismith Participant of the 12 months was 13-of-21 from the sphere, dominating on the block as he pulled transfer after transfer out of his bag. Edey additionally benefitted from a plethora of whistles and tried 22 free throws, sinking 13. He put an exclamation level on his efficiency by rejecting a Dalton Knecht layup with 34 seconds to play to seal the sport.
For his half, Knecht did completely the whole lot he may to propel the Volunteers previous No. 1 seed Purdue. The All-American sharpshooter put up 37 factors, hitting 12 of 31 from the sphere, together with 6-of-12 from three-point vary. He helped Tennessee take an early lead and stored issues shut each time Purdue was on the verge of pulling away within the second half.
It was an epic duel between two elite gamers. A lot of the second half was basically a heavyweight bout between Edey and Knecht. Purdue would throw it to Edey on the block, he’d make a transfer, or draw a foul, and put factors on the board. Tennessee would then come down and run a sequence of screens for Knecht till he lastly discovered a sliver of daylight and let the ball fly. It was great basketball for a lot of the sport, although Tennessee followers could be complaining in regards to the free throw disparity for years. The Volunteers tried 11, whereas the Boilermakers shot 33.
Sunday’s efficiency additionally served as a reminder that Edey is on an all-time run proper now. He’s averaging 30.0 factors and 16.3 rebounds per sport over the primary 4 rounds of the NCAA match. The 2-time All-American and Purdue are answering the various questions rightfully requested of them after dropping to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson final March. Now Edey has led Purdue again to the Remaining 4.
The Boilermakers have their finest shot at a nationwide title in almost 50 years. It’s going to fall on Edey to ship this system to the promised land. If Sunday was any indication, the large man is prepared for the second.
Liam McKeone is an editor for The Large Lead.
