Thanks to a rocket-powered second half, and the dynamic duo of Zach Edey and Braden Smith, Purdue beats Penn State 76-63. Fletcher Loyer knocked down some big shots and Purdue figured out how to slow down Pickett after a frustratingly-productive offensive half by PSU’s dynamic scorer…Here are a few thoughts.

Purdue Beats Penn State in Philly

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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.

Purdue Beats Penn State in Philly

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