How Far Can Purdue Go?
I was going to write about Purdue’s prospects as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Bracket of the upcoming NCAA tournament. I like the draw, a lot. I was going to focus in on Braden Smith and Lance Johnson as keys to Purdue’s tournament success. I was going to reflect on just how privileged Purdue fans are to witness Zach Edey game in and game out. That’s what I planned. But then, Dan Le Batard opened his mouth calling Zach Edey a plague and Seth Davis called Grambling State a more dangerous version of FDU.
Seth Davis’ skepticism is to be expected after last season’s opening round loss to Fairleigh Dickinson. It’s low hanging fruit, but this year’s Purdue team looks remarkably different from last year’s incarnation of the Boilermakers. Regardless, the FDU narrative remains until Purdue shakes it. The FDU loss is an albatross.
However, the sheer idiocy of the national media discussing Purdue basketball is impressive. People like Le Batard call Zach Edey and Purdue a “plague” because Edey draws more fouls than any other player in the country. Perhaps Dan, among others, might consider that teams strategically foul Edey throughout the game. Purdue’s offense ranks third in the country averaging 1.18 points per possession. Teams choose whether to send Edey to the line where he makes 72% of his free throws, or allow the Boilermakers more offensive possessions where Purdue is lethally efficient. Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Michigan State employ the hack and hope strategy. In Big Ten Tournament games against Michigan State and Wisconsin, Purdue shot substantially more free throws than both opponents, but both Michigan State and Wisconsin had more offensive possessions and took more field goals than the Boilermakers.
The narrative that Purdue, and by extension Zach Edey, plays a brand of physical goon ball is simply inaccurate. Purdue would much rather play a more free flowing style which emphasizes all of its offensive weapons like it did in preseason wins against Marquette and Arizona. Purdue’s record against non conference power 5 teams over the last two years is perfect. Believe me, Purdue wants to get away from the teams that employ the Hack Edey and hope strategy.
For his part, Zach Edey bears the fouls and the animosity with grace. He hears the taunts and then goes out and destroys opposing teams. He stands tall, and I’ve heard that “he’s just tall,” as Purdue’s all time leading scorer and rebounder. He’s done it all despite having never picked up a basketball before high school. Regardless of how Purdue ends its season, Zach Edey’s legend holds up to Wooden, Mount, and Robinson. That’s pretty easy to admire. Yet, being as dominant as Edey has been over the last two seasons leads to insulting hot takes like Le Batard’s or the ridiculous conspiracy theories of Aaron Torres.
There’s a plague Dan, but it’s not the guy who’s about to be the first back to back National Player of the Year in forty years.
Follow up following Grambling State.
Sports Media Pass- Nick Weicht