In a sea of roaring black and gold, Matt Painter ascended the ladder, his hand raised triumphantly before he snipped the net at Little Caesars Arena.
Moments before Purdue clinched a hard-fought 72-66 victory over Tennessee in the Elite Eight, securing the school’s third Final Four berth, Painter’s mind raced back to past struggles.
Just a year prior, he had stood on the sidelines at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, watching as Fairleigh Dickinson celebrated an upset victory over his team, becoming only the second 16-seed in NCAA history to defeat a 1-seed. His players, eyes glistening with tears, questioned how it had all gone wrong and whether they could recover.
“That speech was tough,” Painter reflected. “We’ve all been there. But only one coach gets to avoid it.”
Despite the bitter taste of defeat lingering, the Boilermakers refused to let it define them. Instead, they confronted their demons head-on throughout the season, understanding that true redemption lay in a deep tournament run.
Their journey culminated in a cathartic win, fueled by the remarkable performance of senior center Zach Edey.
Both Edey (with 40 points and 16 rebounds in 39 minutes) and Tennessee’s standout Dalton Knecht (scoring 37 points, including 6 three-pointers) showcased their immense talent on Sunday. This duel marked only the third time opposing players had each scored 35+ points in the Elite Eight or later.
Purdue, known for its sharpshooting, struggled from beyond the arc, but Edey’s dominance proved decisive. His late-game block snuffed out any hope of a Tennessee comeback, solidifying his place as a tournament standout.
“He’s simply outstanding,” remarked Fletcher Loyer, teammate and admirer of Edey’s remarkable performance.
Before the game, both Edey and Knecht had set personal accolades aside, focusing solely on the team’s success. Yet, as the tension mounted in the final minutes, they understood they were on the cusp of etching their names in college basketball lore.
Despite Tennessee’s early foul trouble, they managed to keep pace until Edey’s late heroics swung the game in Purdue’s favor.
The victory sparked jubilation among the Boilermakers, who lingered on the court, savoring every moment of their triumph. Edey, in a gracious gesture, handed a piece of the net to former Purdue coach Gene Keady, acknowledging his role in shaping the program’s legacy.
For Painter, the journey from heartbreak to triumph was a testament to resilience. As he stood atop the ladder, cutting the net, he savored the moment, knowing their next destination: Glendale, Arizona, for the Final Four.
Amidst the cheers and confetti, Painter reflected on the trials of the past year. Yet, with a Final Four appearance secured, those struggles felt like distant memories.
As they prepared to face UConn, Painter remained grounded, focusing on the present and relishing the hard-earned success of his team.
“It’s been a journey,” Painter reflected. “But I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’m grateful for this team.”
