Purdue’s Nine Shining Moments
GLENDALE, Ariz. — As Purdue departs for the Final Four, GoldandBlack.com has picked out nine moments this season that have defined the 2023-2024 Boilermakers as they’ve reach a level unseen at the program in generations.
LANCE JONES’ THREE VS. TENNESSEE
The biggest shot of the win that got Purdue to the Final Four, Lance Jones nailed this clutch triple after the Boilermakers had atypically struggled from long range against the Vols.
This play highlighted Purdue’s knack for making seemingly every big three this season, Jones’ unwavering confidence and the trust Braden Smith has had in those around him, setting this play up for Jones after he’d not been his best offensively to that point.
BRADEN SMITH’S KILLSHOT AT ILLINOIS
One of the shots of the season locked down one of Purdue’s wins of the season, Braden Smith played 3-D chess here to set himself up for this dagger, sealing the win that clinched the outright Big Ten title and marred Illinois’ senior night.
MASON GILLIS’ HUSTLE VS. MICHIGAN STATE
A play that summed up Mason Gillis‘ career beautifully. Productivity finds those who try really hard.
ZACH EDEY DIVING AT INDIANA
Purdue was blowing Indiana out in Bloomington when Edey dove for this loose ball when he really didn’t need to.
The Boilermakers took certain games against certain opponents personally this season. This was an example. Also a nice reflection of the unrelenting effort that has helped make Edey college basketball’s dominant figure.
FLETCHER LOYER’S OT THREE VS NORTHWESTERN
Purdue made so many big shots this season, Fletcher Loyer certainly making more than his share.
This may not have been Purdue’s highest-profile win of the season, but it was one of its most hard-fought.
Beautiful set-up here by Smith as he’d been roasting Northwestern with ball screens in the OT and countered here to kick out to a shooter. Loyer is always ready to shoot.
BRADEN SMITH’S STEAL (KINDA) AT WISCONSIN
So Lance Jones gets the highlight here, but this was Braden Smith.
Battling underneath after Wisconsin grabbed an offensive rebound, Smith dug the ball out to force the turnover.
Wisconsin was No. 6 nationally at the time of this game and leading Purdue in the standings.
This was the day it was clear Purdue was inevitably going to win the Big Ten again.
LANCE JONES’ HAWAII HEAVE
Purdue wet on to win the Maui Invitational by, yes, three points.
Another moment that made clear that Purdue found a real bolt of lightning in Lance Jones.
ZACH EDEY’S TIP-IN VS MARQUETTE
One-point game, clock winding down, a title on the line and Purdue is stuck. But Zach Edey is inevitable.
THE LOB VS GONZAGA IN HAWAII
This might not jump out in the big picture, but it perfectly highlights the ball-screen mastery of Braden Smith, a transformative element for Purdue this season, as well as the impact a higher level of athlete could make.
This is really high-level offense. It takes pretty pristine execution to get the fist pump from the head coach immediately after.
