Overview
- Zach Edey, Purdue's center, led his team to a significant victory with a 30-point, 21-rebound performance, marking the first 30-20 game in the NCAA Tournament since 1995.
- Edey, last year's National Player of the Year, is a frontrunner for the award again, a feat last achieved by Ralph Sampson of Virginia in the early 1980s.
- Standing at 7-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, Edey's size, skill, and experience pose a significant challenge for opponents, including Utah State in the upcoming second round.
- Despite skepticism about his potential NBA career, Edey's college performance continues to impress, with Purdue Coach Matt Painter highlighting his improvement and versatility.
- Purdue, with a 30-4 record, is one win away from setting a new school record for single-season victories and advancing to the Midwest Region semifinals.