The Purdue Boilermakers secured a spot in the national championship game for the first time since 1969 with a 63-50 victory over NC State. Zach Edey dominated the game with a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Lance Jones added 14 points. DJ Burns Jr. faced early foul trouble for the Wolfpack and finished with just eight points in 27 minutes. Additionally, NC State was hampered by injuries, including Michael O’Connell suffering a hamstring injury in the first half. Despite the win, Purdue now faces the challenge of trying to break the Big Ten’s championship drought, as the league has not won a national title since 2000.
One of the key factors that led Purdue to victory was their outside shooting. The Boilermakers made 10 3-pointers, shooting 40% from behind the arc, while holding NC State to 28.8%. This was a significant improvement from their past performances in NCAA tournaments, where they shot just 26.7% from 3. Despite committing 16 turnovers, the Boilers’ shooting prowess helped them secure the win and avoid a fifth loss with at least 14 turnovers.
Zach Edey once again proved to be a crucial player for Purdue, finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the game against NC State. Edey’s stellar performance marked his sixth consecutive double-double dating back to the previous year’s NCAA tournament. He became the first Big Ten player to achieve five double-doubles in an NCAA tournament. Edey’s impact on the game extended beyond his individual stats, as he contributed significantly to Purdue’s offensive output by touching the ball on 41 possessions, resulting in 36 Purdue points and just six turnovers.
While NC State’s journey to the Final Four was noteworthy, with them being just the sixth 11-seed to reach this stage, their streak of nine consecutive elimination-game wins, the Wolfpack fell short in the semifinals. Despite managing to contain Zach Edey to a 20-12 double-double, NC State struggled to score enough points to secure the win. However, their run highlighted the team’s resilience and potential, with standout performances from players like DJ Burns Jr. The lessons learned from this tournament will undoubtedly shape NC State’s future success under Coach Kevin Keatts.
Purdue’s victory over NC State was a testament to their resilience and ability to adapt to challenging situations. As they prepare to face off against the winner of the UConn vs. Alabama semifinal matchup in the national championship game, the Boilermakers will need to maintain their strong outside shooting and rely on key players like Zach Edey to lead them to victory. On the other hand, NC State can take pride in their historic run and use it as a foundation for future success in the college basketball landscape.
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