The Purdue basketball team is proving the old adage true — to the victors goes the spoils.
The Boilermakers have raked in awards the last two days ahead of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. Purdue kicked the week off with big man Zach Edey claiming the Big Ten Player-of-the-Year distinction for the second straight year. Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter earned a share of the Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year honor.
The honors come on the heels of the Boilermakers winning their second straight league title by three games. Purdue enters the Big Ten Tournament at 28-3 overall, 17-3 in Big Ten play.
Edey was also named the Associated Press (AP) Big Ten Player of the Year in addition to the coaches’ and media selection as Big Ten Player of the Year. The senior also earned a spot on the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
Edey became the first Purdue basketball player to win consecutive Big Ten Player-of-the-Year honors. He has averaged 24.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists this season. He also set a Big Ten record with 12 Big Ten Player-of-the-Week honors.
Painter shared the Co-Coach honor with Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg. He was selected as the AP’s Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year.
Purdue basketball sees several earn awards
Edey and Painter were not the only ones to earn awards.
Sophomore point guard Braden Smith was named First Team All-Big Ten by coaches, media and the AP. Lance Jones, Fletcher Loyer and Mason Gillis all earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Gillis also was voted as the Big Ten Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year, while Chase Martin was chosen as Purdue’s Sportsmanship Award honoree.
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