Two of the premiere centers in the game will be on display Saturday when 11th seeded N.C. State takes on top seeded Purdue basketball in the first national semi-final.
Reigning national player of the year and Purdue standout Zach Edey will look to get the best of N.C. State big man DJ Burns in what promises to be an entertaining battle inside the paint.
Edey averages 25 points and 12.2 rebounds. Burns is averaging 18.2 points through the NCAA Tournament. Both players are capable of the big play and can change the momentum of the game rapidly.
How this one is officiated will determine how epic the battle between the two big men will go. Will the officials let either camp out in the lane and be physical? Who can do a better job of staying out of foul trouble, obviously, will go a long way in determining success for their respective team. However, if officials allow it to be physical, one may have to give Burns a slight edge.
At 6-foot-9-inches, Burns gives up some height to Edey, and while Edey is not only taller and weighs more, Burns is a force at a very solid 275 pounds.
Both coaches were very complimentary of the two players while meeting with the media Thursday in Phoenix.
Purdue basketball’s Edey keeps N.C. State coach up at night
N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts admitted something to the media Thursday.
“Obviously we’re going to play against Zach Edey. If you ask me who keeps you up at night right now, it’s Zach Edey. He’s playing at a high level. He can score the ball. We got to get him out of that lane. He lives in that lane. He’s really talented. The way he’s become a lot better is he passes the ball a lot,” Keatts said.
With that said, Burns is just as accomplished, as Keatts said he has “great touch” and is a “willing passer.”
“Lefty, great touch, tremendous personality. Doesn’t really catch the ball in the post, but he ends up around the basket. I don’t know that there’s ever been a guy like that before. The guards get so mad at him because they don’t get assists because he dribbles six times to get where he needs to be,” Keatts said of his standout center.
Keatts called Burns a “throwback,” with a tremendous personality.
“He’s a throwback. Some guys in here have had a chance to spend a little time with him. What a tremendous personality. We were up 10 against Duke about a minute to go. As a coach, I’m locked in, a minute to go, anything can happen. He’s over there yelling to the fans, Let’s go, let’s go. I’m like, No, you need to lock in so we can finish the game. He’s about as unique as you’re ever going to get. I’m glad that everybody on the national stage is getting the opportunity to meet DJ Burns,” Keatts said.
Purdue ready for Burns
Purdue basketball has its own talented player in the paint in Edey, and coach Matt Painter feels pretty good.
With that said, the Purdue basketball coach was very complimentary about Burns with the media Thursday. Painter said what stands out to him about Burns is how competitive he is.
“Sure, he’s got the game and he is like a Zach Randolph type. He looks like he’s having a lot of fun out there and the ability to pass. Love the way when he’s not in the game, he’s engaged and cheering for his teammates,” Painter said.
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