Purdue basketball vs NC State scouting report, matchups in Final Four

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Purdue basketball is in the Final Four for the first time since 1980 after winning the Midwest Regional. North Carolina State is back for the first time since 1983, when it won the national championship as an underdog.

The Boilermakers (33-4) have had the Final Four on their radar all season, spending time at No. 1 in the nation and remaining in the top 3 throughout. They steamrolled through the first weekend of the NCAA tournament before meeting stern tests from Gonzaga and Tennessee.

Before this unlikely NCAA tournament run, the Wolfpack (26-14) won on five straight days in the ACC tournament out of the No. 10 seed. Without all those wins, they wouldn’t have been in March Madness. They were seeded 11th in the South Region.

Here’s what you should know for Saturday night’s national semifinal. The game is scheduled for 6:09 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. TBS will televise and streaming is on SiriusXM Channel 84.

Purdue’s road to the Final Four

Purdue has ridden Zach Edey (30 points, 16.3 rebounds in March Madness, 36-of-54 free throws) and shot 51.7% from the field, 39% on 3-pointers and made 60-of-88 free throws (68.2%) over four games. The Boilers are +19 per game in rebounding, offsetting a lack of opponent turnovers (6.8 per game). Opponents are shooting 40% from the field, 34.1% on 3s and have made 30-of-44 free throws (exactly half of Purdue, at the same percentage, 68.2).

First round: No. 16 seed Grambling State, 78-50

Zach Edey has 30 points and 21 rebounds.

Second round: No. 8 Utah State, 106-67

The Aggies lead midway through the first half before Purdue runs off 14 straight points and gain control. Zach Edey has 23 points and 14 rebounds.

Sweet 16: No. 5 Gonzaga, 80-68

The Bulldogs trail by 2 points at the 12:30 mark before Purdue eventually runs the lead to 16. Zach Edey has 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Braden Smith adds 14 points and 15 assists.

Elite Eight: No. 2 Tennessee, 72-66

The Volunteers trail by just 1 point in the closing minutes but can’t…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-basketball-vs-nc-state-083029201.html

Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

Publish date : 2024-04-02 08:30:29

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