Gonzaga’s Mark Few states that he has never coached against a player quite like Zach Edey.
Purdue’s Zach Edey has emerged as a dominant force throughout the NCAA Tournament. Standing at an imposing 7-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, Edey has been a formidable presence all season, and he appears poised to secure his second Wooden Award as the nation’s top men’s college basketball player. However, his performance has reached new heights under the tournament’s spotlight, averaging 26.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, and three blocks per game in Purdue’s initial two March Madness matchups against Grambling State and Utah State.
Although Purdue has comfortably handled its opponents in the tournament thus far, their upcoming Sweet 16 clash against Gonzaga presents a formidable challenge. Gonzaga’s head coach, Mark Few, acknowledges the threat posed by Edey, having previously faced him in non-conference tournaments. Few admits to never encountering a player quite like Edey in his 25-year coaching career at Gonzaga. Despite this, Few remains confident, drawing on past experiences against Edey-led Purdue teams.
Few recognizes that Purdue, under the guidance of coach Matt Painter, boasts a talented roster beyond Edey. He highlights the team’s offensive prowess and the improvement of their guards, particularly singling out Braden Smith as a standout player. Aware of Purdue’s strengths, Few anticipates a tough battle but relishes the opportunity to compete.
As Purdue and Gonzaga prepare to square off for the third time in two years, Few acknowledges the significance of the matchup and the challenges it presents. The game is scheduled for Friday at 7:39 p.m. ET.
