DJ Burns analyzes his play against Zach Edey
One of the biggest matchups, literally, in the Final Four showdown between NC State and Purdue was the head-to-head matchup of big man DJ Burns and center Zach Edey.
Edey had about seven inches on Burns but there was some thought Burns might be able to negate some of the sheer force of Edey based on his own size and power. It didn’t really materialize that way early on.
“I think I didn’t do as good of a job in the first half keeping him getting to that right hand,” DJ Burns explained. “He’s a tall guy, if you let him get to his spots, he’s going to make his shots. We cleaned it up, but it was a little too late.”
The Purdue star worked his way to 20 points and 12 rebounds in the contest, also blocking two shots. It was far from as dominant as he’d been at other points in the NCAA Tournament, but it was enough to do in NC State.
Especially a limited NC State.
The Wolfpack were wounded early when shooting guard Michael O’Connell was lost in the first half to an injury. So no matter how well DJ Burns played, NC State was still playing with a significant disadvantage.
Michael O’Connell goes down hurt
Disaster struck about six minutes into the game, when NC State shooting guard Michael O’Connell tripped up in transition, seemingly pulling his hamstring.
O’Connell would sit for most of the game, only briefly checking back in for a three-minute stretch in the second half.
“Well, when Michael’s injury occurred, it definitely changed us,” coach Kevin Keatts said. “It made (us), under the circumstances, go back to (DJ) Horne handling the ball a little bit more than we wanted to. I thought Breon (Pass) came in and did a good job for us.”
NC State managed as best it could, but it just wasn’t the same without an additional threat in there to accompany the DJs. Purdue widened the lead considerably, even as O’Connell tried to make a valiant return.
With about 10 minutes left in the first half, a clearly hobbled Michael O’Connell came back out onto the floor. It was clear he was having trouble keeping up with opposing dribblers off the bounce, and he lasted only about three minutes before sitting the rest of the way.
Purdue would go on to win 63-50.