1 of 14 | Purdue center Zach Edey helps cut down the net after the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
2 of 14 | Purdue center Zach Edey (15) reacts near Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) after the team defeated Tennessee in an Elite Eight college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
3 of 14 | Purdue center Zach Edey holds the NCAA Regional Championship trophy after an Elite Eight college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
4 of 14 | Purdue center Zach Edey (15) blocks a shot byTennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
5 of 14 | Purdue head coach Matt Painter acknowledges the fans after cutting down the net after the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
6 of 14 | Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht walks off the court atfter the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
7 of 14 | Purdue center Zach Edey (15) greets teammate guard Lance Jones (55) after the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
8 of 14 | Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) attempts a basket as Purdue center Zach Edey (15) and forward Camden Heide (23) defend during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
9 of 14 | Former Purdue men’s basketball coach Gene Keady is seen after the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game between Purdue and Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
10 of 14 | Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) reaches in on Purdue center Zach Edey (15) during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
11 of 14 | Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) looks to pass as Purdue center Zach Edey (15) pressures during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
12 of 14 | Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) looks to pass during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
13 of 14 | Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) reacts after a three-point basket during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
14 of 14 | Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) reacts after a three-point basket during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Purdue in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
BY EDDIE PELLS
Updated
They were looking for history, and they got it — along with the game ball that Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer chucked about 20 rows into the crowd when the buzzer went off.
The school’s 87-year-old former coach, Gene Keady, watched from the stands — then, afterward, came onto the floor to receive a piece of the freshly cut net from Edey.
“It shows people if you do things the right way, it will pay off,” the ex-coach told The Associated Press.
At times, the game looked like the sort Keady might have coached back in the ’80s and ’90s.
Purdue pounded the ball to Edey in the post, and though the grabby, swatty UT defense made some inroads — even blocking two of his shots — foul trouble piled up for Tennessee and Edey wore them down. He finished 13 of 21 from the floor.
Barnes refused to make an issue out of Edey’s 22 free throws or the final foul tally: Tennessee 25, Purdue 12.
“He’s a difficult guy to guard against, but he’s a difficult guy for referees to officiate, too,” Barnes said. “He’s a hard guy to do that with because he’s a unique guy in terms of how he plays.”
Meanwhile, the 3-point arc that was six years from coming into existence at Purdue’s last trip to the Final Four was barely a factor for the Boilermakers. They went 3 for 15 from long range.
And yet, it was a trio of 3-point attempts that turned this game. Knecht missed a pair of open looks, first with his team trailing by three at the 3:09 mark, then again on the next possession when down by six.
In between, Lance Jones spotted up from the corner for a 3 that gave Purdue a 66-60 lead.
The coup de grace came with Tennessee trying to carve into a 69-64 deficit. Knecht drove down the lane and went up, but Edey, who played just a few seconds short of the full 40 minutes, scooted over and cleanly swatted the shot.
“A great play, you’ve got to give him credit,” Barnes said.
Knecht finished 14 of 31 from the floor. After making his first four 3-pointers, he went 2 for 8.
“I don’t think I put the team on my back,” Knecht said. “I think all of us carried each other. I think every single one of us did what we needed to do. At the end of the day, they were just the better team.”
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Edey is the first player with 40-plus points and at least 16 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game since Bo Kimble of Loyola Marymount had 45 points and 18 rebounds in a 1990 contest against New Mexico State.
Edey was named the Midwest’s most outstanding player. Joining him on the all-region team were Knecht, Braden Smith (Purdue), Baylor Scheierman (Creighton) and Zakai Zeigler (Tennessee).
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AP March Madness bracket:
