Either way, Purdue ends up in the record books after the entirety of the last two seasons:

Two dominant Big Ten regular season titles, one Big Ten Tournament title, undefeated stacked nonconference schedules, two losses in Mackey Arena. Zach Edey (likely) gathering two-time National Player of the Year and Purdue's all-time scoring and rebounding records and virtually every individual award available. An overlooked barely-3-star Braden Smith emerging as one of the best point guards in the country. A supporting cast that decided to stay intact, and a coach in Matt Painter that everyone is waiting to crown as the face/voice/conscience of college basketball.

And an immortal March Madness #16-over-#1 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson University, coming a year after a Sweet 16 loss to #15 Saint Peters, which was a year after losing in the first round to #13 North Texas. 

The time for immortality is here - no matter what. A perfect recipe for fandom indigestion. Come talk through the 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket and the Boilermakers' potential path with your friends at Boiled Sports. At least we have each other.

Handsome Basketball Beat Hour #93: Purdue's Shot at March Redemption

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A sour ending doesn't make the season any less sweet.

The NCAA National Title game saw our Boilermakers handled on the perimeter by UConn's wings, as the Huskies limited Purdue to only 7 three pointers attempted, all while Zach Edey got whatever he wanted inside on Donovan Clingan (by Dan Hurley's design). But Purdue won the most games in its basketball history, Edey swept every National Player of the Year award for the second straight year (the first time in over 50 years, since Bill Walton at UCLA), Matt Painter and a roster that almost entirely returned completed a redemptive season a year after the FDU loss (arguably the worst loss in March Madness history).

And, oh yeah, our Purdue Boilermakers made the Final Four for the first time since 1980, and won a National Semifinal game for the first time since 1969.

By all measures, this could have been the greatest season in Purdue basketball's history, led by possibly Purdue's greatest player in its history, led by possibly Purdue's greatest coach in its history. Let's enjoy it all, without worrying about what anyone else says.

Basketball Beat #97: Purdue Beaten by UConn, Zach Edey's Boilermaker Finale, and A Redemptive Season

UConn put to bed any discussion of who was the best team in America earlier tonight in Phoenix.

Purdue Falls to UConn in Title Game

Purdue prepares for their toughest and last opponent of this fantastic ride of a season.

QuickCast: Purdue NCAA Championship Primer from Phoenix

Matt Painter is undefeated in the Final Four - Purdue dispatches with #11 NC State in an ugly, despite a poor Braden Smith game and a handful of turnovers. The redemption journey is nearly complete, and it's real: Zach Edey swept every Player of the Year award, Purdue won the Big Ten, and our Boilermakers are playing for a National Championship on Monday night - underdogs for the first time all year against Danny Hurley's dominant UConn Huskies.

Enjoy it, this is a literal once-in-a-lifetime moment we get to experience: the first modern Championship Game appearance by our school. Let's enjoy this together.

Basketball Beat #96: The 2024 Championship Collision Course of Purdue and UConn

Purdue awaits their opponent for the ‘Ship. Holy crap, it’s happening.

Handsome Basketball Beat Hour #93: Purdue's Shot at March Redemption

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