Purdue’s offense, led by Zach Edey, proved to be too much for Gonzaga in their Sweet 16 matchup. Despite Gonzaga’s focus on double-teaming Edey, Purdue’s lethal halfcourt offense was able to respond with a strong performance from beyond the arc in the first half. When Gonzaga adjusted its defense in the second half, Edey took advantage of single coverage to dominate in the paint. This inside-out combination has Purdue positioned as one of the top contenders for the national title.
While Gonzaga managed to keep pace with Purdue’s offense for much of the game, they ultimately couldn’t match the Boilermakers’ scoring output. Purdue pulled away early in the second half, but Gonzaga responded with a run to pull within two points before ultimately fading. The foul trouble of key Gonzaga players further compounded their struggles, allowing Purdue to extend their lead and secure the victory. Edey finished with an impressive 27 points and 14 rebounds, leading a balanced scoring effort for Purdue.
Purdue’s success this season has been built on more than just Edey’s dominant play. The team entered the game as the nation’s top 3-point shooting team, with a remarkable 40.9% success rate from beyond the arc. This marks a significant improvement from last year’s team, which struggled from long distance. With a strong supporting cast of shooters, Purdue’s offense becomes nearly unstoppable when their shots are falling, as was the case against Gonzaga.
Braden Smith emerged as a key contributor alongside Edey in the win over Gonzaga. The sophomore guard nearly notched a triple-double with 14 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds. His performance, along with contributions from players like Lance Jones and Fletcher Loyer, showcased the depth of Purdue’s offensive arsenal. With multiple players capable of hitting 3-pointers, Purdue presents a difficult challenge for opposing defenses.
With a win over Gonzaga, Purdue now finds themselves one victory away from the Final Four. They will face the winner of the Creighton and Tennessee matchup in the Elite Eight, with a chance to advance to the next weekend’s games. After falling short in last year’s NCAA tournament, Purdue has demonstrated significant improvement and is now in a strong position to make a deep postseason run. Their potent offense, led by Edey and supported by a cast of talented shooters, has propelled them into contention for the national title.
