Purdue Basketball: Redemption Tour continues for Boilers

The Purdue basketball team has a date with destiny on the first Monday night in April, as the Redemption Tour has a new venue — the national championship game.

It is the first time Purdue basketball has played for a national title since 1969 when UCLA defeated the Boilermakers, 92-72.

The Boilermakers earned the right to play Monday for a national title after dispatching the 11th seeded Cinderella, N.C. State, 63-50. The 63 points were a season low for the Boilermakers, who improved to 34-4, while the Wolfpack saw its season finish at 26-15.

The win came despite 16 turnovers, ugly offensive performances at times and a very cold shooting night from sophomore point guard Braden Smith. However, Smith connected on a huge three pointer with just under four minutes remaining to put Purdue basketball ahead 61-43.

“We did enough to finish,” assistant coach Paul Lusk told the Purdue radio team after the game.

While Smith struggled, Purdue basketball got solid performances from Fletcher Loyer, Zach Edey and Lance Jones. In addition, the Boilermakers managed to outrebound N.C. State, 41-28.

Loyer told Purdue radio play-by-play announcer Rob Blackman after the game Purdue did whatever it took to get the win. However, he noted the energy needs to improve.

“We have to have better energy Monday because we are going to play a damn good team,” said Loyer, who finished with 11 points.

Edey, who was harassed all evening from N.C. State, dominated the battle against N.C. State center DJ Burns Jr., finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Burns finished with eight points and four assists for the Wolfpack, who were paced by DJ Horne’s 11 points.

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