The 2024 Final Four features a matchup that very few predicted. The 1 seed Purdue Boilermakers (33-4) take on the Cinderella story 11th-seeded North Carolina State Wolfpack (26-14). Purdue is making their first Final Four appearance since 1980, while N.C. State returns to this stage for the first time since their championship-winning year in 1983. Both teams made it to Glendale, Arizona with different paths, yet here they are just one game away from playing for the national championship trophy.
Purdue’s Dominance
The Boilermakers have been solid all season, reaching #1 in the rankings and consistently remaining in the top 3. Their NCAA Tournament journey has been one of dominance, with comfortable wins in the first two rounds. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight presented their biggest tests. Purdue and Gonzaga battled it out with the Boilermakers taking the 40-36 halftime lead. It was all Purdue in the second half as Zach Edey’s 27 points and 14 rebounds along with Braden Smith’s double-double, 14 points, and 15 assists, led them to the 80-68 victory. They then edged out Tennessee in the Elite Eight game, despite Dalton Knecht’s 37-point performance. It was Edey once again leading the charge with a career-high 40 points along with 16 rebounds to help Purdue grab the win, 72-66.
N.C. State’s Improbable Run
The Wolfpack have exceeded all expectations with their remarkable run. They started their tournament journey as the 10 seed in the ACC Tournament. The Pack went all the way, winning five games in five days and grabbing the automatic bid. They went into survival mode in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, starting with a well-balanced win over Texas Tech.
The round of 32 would be the battle of the Cinderella’s. The Pack would face the 14th-seeded Oakland Golden Grizzlies and it was a battle to the end, going into overtime. This is when college basketball fans got to know N.C. State star DJ Burns Jr. is a lot better than we thought. Burns dropped 24 points and added 11 rebounds to help the Wolfpack pull away in OT and move on to the Sweet 16. They stunned the college basketball world by knocking off Marquette and then overcame a 27-21 halftime deficit to blow out the mighty Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight, 76-64. Burns finished with 29 points to help the Pack move on.
Matchup Intangibles
The loser goes home. Winner plays Monday in the NCAA Championship Game.
KEY MATCHUPS
Edey vs. Burns: A Battle of Big Men
Purdue’s offense revolves around 7-foot-4, 300-pound, Edey He’s a true post player and utilized his size and strength in the paint. N.C. State counters with 6-9, 275-pound D.J. Burns. While Burns may have looked good in the tourney so far, he has not matched up with someone like Edey. Expect Zach to put Burns to the test of not getting into foul trouble early while trying to establish who is the king of the paint. The refs will be sure to keep a close eye on these two big men who will be looking for that spotlight to bring their teams to the chip on Monday.
Final Four Prediction
Purdue’s dominance has been clear. However, they can’t underestimate N.C. State’s momentum. Facing an 11 seed that is hungry to make history will not be easy. The Boilermakers come in as a heavy favorite on paper. The Wolfpack have already proven they can overcome any obstacle. The pressure is on.
Final Score: Purdue 87 – NC State 71
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