Who is up for some April basketball?

2024 men's NCAA Tournament expert picks: Predictions for Saturday's Final Four games

I know Travis normally does these game day threads, but we are about 4 hours to game time, so I thought I would put this out on the board. If he wants to take it down, he can obviously.

However, we are about 4 hours to gametime, and it does not seem to be getting here soon enough for me.

How is everyone feeling?

the FF will impact recruiting?

In case you were wondering ... and pondering the coach's bonus!

I realize it’s a bit into the afternoon in West Lafayette but it’s still a beautiful, breezy, 70 degree late morning in Phoenix.

It’s that day. Purdue will play in the Final Four for the first time in my lifetime.

Workers are currently getting to the arena and setting things up for the games today.

How many here have made the trip? If not, where will you be watching the game?

I have put a FutureCast in favor of Purdue in for 2025 three-star offensive tackle Takhyian Whitset.

There is no timetable for a decision, but this is a recruitment I expect Purdue to come out on top of.

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2027 QB Trae Taylor talks relationship with Graham Harrell after netting #Purdue offer this week.

"It's really just like that feeling. I feel like he's a lot like me, as far as personality, and who he is.”

DJ Burns isn’t 6’9” and weighs 275. More like 6’7” and 325 pounds. That is 9 inch difference in height, let alone Edey has wider wing span is a mismatch. I’m guessing Burns won’t be guarding Zach the whole game. Diarra & Middlebrooks will be the main defenders..NC State could play some zone to stay out of foul trouble.

Purdue will be playing at faster pace with Burns in the game and Purdue can get some quick scores and make Burns work hard during his time on the court.

All the media talks about the Duke game with Burns scored 29 points in 29 minutes.
Both Filipowski and Mitchell fouled out. Burns size and girth was mismatch against those bean poles.
Proctor the guard for Duke was 0-9 field and 0-5 3pt line. Duke’s depth only goes 7 deep and bench scored 2 points.
Ryan Young transfer from NW didn’t shoot or score in 10 minutes while subbing for Filipowski & Mitchell.

Marquette game vs NC State. Burns played 27 minutes and only scored 4 points, 4 rebounds with 7 assists.
I believe Purdue defense is similar to Marquette’s. Burns again had the advantage of his girth over Marquette.

Purdue will play Furst in this game against NC State.. Keep Burns away from the basket and the lane chasing Furst & TKR around the half court.

Go Boilers!!

Friday was the final media day before the #FinalFour. Here is what Purdue players Braden Smith, Mason Gillis, Zach Edey, and Fletcher Loyer had to say.

For those of you who used Seat Geek or StubHub for ticket purchase. Have you received your ticket yet? I notice they warn you that the ticket itself may not show up until 24 hours before tipoff because of the venue ticket procedure. I'm on pins and needles until it hits my email. Just curious of others are seeing the same thing. Thanks

Smith and Rayl are about the same height, but Smith's arms and legs are 30% longer than Rayl's. That has to be an serious advantage on the court.

Nothing but respect from both sides.

This is a free one:

From a city built on the ghosts of canals to a Final Four team built on the ghosts of March failures, Purdue has risen from the ashes to play in Phoenix.

Raphael and Vincent are two of my favorite Boilers and really enjoyed their conversation about Boiler basketball, Coach Painter, and hypothetical match up b/w Vincent’s 2018/19 team vs the current Final 4 team.

Ya’ll check it out and show some love to Raphael’s podcast:

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The one good thing about being on the wrong side of a historic loss, the only people that could understand that feeling were in the locker room with each other.

"Constant reminders of our goal and constant reminders of our failures," Gillis said.

SIAP: they are definitely confident. Some so-called Purdue fans talking crap making our fanbase look awful. Good read especially if you’re looking to injest more content. I am too lazy to create an account but if you do, be nice and help lift up our image.

Will be interesting to see how he does there.

Every aspect of shooting form is spot on @tjreese

As others have said, I think we have several advantages and Zach SHOULD be too much for them to handle. He most certainly will be better than Burns... by a lot and Zach has 25 pounds of muscle over Burns.

Now.. NC State got to a FF for a reason. Their seeding was likely too low and the team certainly cannot take them for granted (which I have little doubt that they won't anyway).

Play our game and we could win by double digits. UT had the single best defense we have faced all season and we found a way to win.

One game at a time.. COME ON SATURDAY!!!

Camaraderie on display.

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The vote was 57-3. Congrats Zach!