Purdue’s Matt Painter flames Zach Edey critics: ‘They just shouldn’t cover basketball’
It’s everyone’s favorite time in the college basketball calendar, as the 2024 NCAA Tournament tipped off this weekend.
One of the tournament’s most dominant players through two rounds was Purdue’s 7-foot-4 big man Zach Edey. In Purdue’s opener against Grambling State, Edey, 21, had 30 points, 21 rebounds–including nine offensive rebounds–with three blocks on 11-of-17 shooting. He followed by tallying 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks in just 26 minutes against No. 8 Utah State on Sunday.
Though Edey remains an incredibly polarizing player. Purdue head coach Matt Painter heavily criticized Edey’s critics after the Boilermakers’ 39-point blowout win Sunday.
“They just shouldn’t cover basketball,” Painter said. “I just think everybody should take tests on their knowledge of what they’re doing. I think all coaches should take a test so they understand refereeing, and I think all referees should take a test so they understand coaching, and I think all journalists should have to take a basketball quiz or a test or, anybody that tweets, they should have to be able to do it.”
Edey is in line to win the Naismith Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He’s averaging a nation-most 24.5 points, 12. 1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.3 blocks, shooting 62.3 percent from the floor and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line on an astounding 11.2 free-throw attempts. Edey is the nation’s leader in PER (39.7), win shares (9.4) and win shares per 40 minutes (.343) for the second consecutive year.
The consensus All-American is one of the most dominant college players in our generation; he’s a unicorn. On our bracket reveal, Chickster asked me what I thought regarding Edey’s NBA future. I honestly don’t know because of his size, but I’m willing to bet that he will get taken in the second round; I’m holding out most of my thoughts until the 2024 draft combine (should he go and play) to see how he fares with NBA pace before making any final conclusions.
Though he has improved his processing, positioning (both offensively and defensively), passing and finishing through contact throughout his collegiate career, which shouldn’t go untold. He can also run the floor and is a solid rim protector, which could be important for his long-term prospects.
Even though all of us in (sports) media have opinions about players, I appreciate Painter sticking up for his players in such a classic fashion. Sure, you always expect a head coach to go to bat for his players. But this was a great rant in such a calm manner, point blank.
What do you think about Matt Painter’s comments? Let us know in the comments.
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