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Purdue’s offense is a lot more than Zach Edey. It’s a lesson Gonzaga learned the hard way Friday as the Boilermakers secured an 80-68 win over the Bulldogs in the Sweet 16.
Gonzaga focused its defense on Edey early, repeatedly double-teaming him in the post and on pick-and-rolls. Purdue’s lethal halfcourt offense responded with a 7-of-13 effort from 3-point distance in the first half.
When Gonzaga responded by showing Edey single coverage in the second half, he backed down his smaller defenders and scored. It’s a lethal inside-out combination that has Purdue near the top of the short list of remaining contenders for the national title.
Gonzaga keeps pace … for a while
For much of the game, Gonzaga kept pace with its own scorching offense. The Bulldogs shot 51.7% from the field in the first half and kept things close as Purdue carried a 40-36 lead into the break. When Purdue pulled away early in the second, Gonzaga responded with a 9-2 run to pull within two points.
But Purdue eventually wo
