The Purdue Boilermakers didn’t get the storybook ending to their 2023-24 season as the UConn Huskies enjoyed a comfortable lead to win the national championship.
While it’s an impressive season for the Boilermakers, both the team and its fanbase are wondering what would have been if Zach Edey managed to get more help from his teammates.
The 7’4″ big man did everything he could to help Purdue win the championship game. However, the Huskies managed to main the rest of the Boilermakers’ roster to win by 15 points.
While Edey is almost certainly going to the NBA, his performance in his final tournament is nothing to scoff at. He almost broke a long-standing NCAA record if he managed to convert more of his shot attempts.
Zach Edey almost broke Glen RIce’s March Madness record during the Purdue Boilermakers’ final game
The Sporting News’ Edward Sutelan reported that Edey’s marvelous showing against the Boilermakers almost touched Glen Rice’s record for most points scored during the March Madness tournament.
Rice’s record of 184 points has stood since 1989, which beat Bill Bradley’s 177 that was set in 1965. Edey matched Bradley’s record with his monstrous 37-point showing in the final game, which also happened to be the most points he scored this season.
Another impressive record that Edey closed in on was the most points scored in the NCAA Tournament championship game. UCLA’s Bill Walton still holds the record after scoring 44 points in 1973. Edey places fourth in this record, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s effort for the Bruins in 1969.
Will Zach Edey get drafted in the lottery of the 2024 NBA Draft?
There’s almost no question that the senior will be drafted by an NBA team in the 2024 Draft, but the question is whether he’ll make the lottery.
A 7’4″ behemoth is a valuable asset for NBA teams since Victor Wembanyama is having a monstrous rookie season. Edey’s 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists also make him an intriguing prospect for many NBA teams.
However, his lack of a three-point shot makes him an offensive liability. He’s only attempted two shots from deep his entire college career, and both of them were made in his final year. If he wants to become an undeniable asset, his first order of business for the summer is to develop his shooting stroke.
Sports Illustrated has Edey going to the New York Knicks with the 22nd pick, which will be a terrific franchise for him to start his career. However, things can quickly change if he manages to impress scouts and GMs during the Draft Combine.
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