Purdue Coach Defends Zach Edey Shortly After Controversial Call vs. Wisconsin

Matt Painter shook his head at the center’s critics.

There’s no denying Purdue center Zach Edey’s greatness, given his status as the reigning AP Player of the Year and his high likelihood of winning the award again this year.

There is, however, often objection by Edey’s opponents to the way his game is officiated.

Edey’s aggressive, antiquated post assaults make him a frequent magnet for foul calls—and the numbers back up that notion. He entered the No. 3 Boilermakers’ Big Ten tournament semifinal against Wisconsin on Saturday with 351 free-throw attempts on the year, 42 more than anyone else in Division I.

During Purdue’s thrilling 76–75 overtime loss to the Badgers, Wisconsin fans cried foul at one particular call—a blocking infraction on forward Tyler Wahl on a play where Edey appeared to clearly truck his opponent.

This was called a foul on Tyler Wahl pic.twitter.com/ajPNZ6IBck

— Kyle Boone (@kyletheboone) March 16, 2024

With emotions running high after the game, Boilermakers coach Matt Painter lashed out at Edey’s critics.

“I’ve never seen somebody so good get so much s--- for no reason,” Painter said. “It blows my mind.”

Matt Painter on Zach Edey, "I've never seen somebody so good get so much shit for no reason. It blows my mind."

— Sam King (@samueltking) March 16, 2024

Purdue will learn its NCAA tournament destination Sunday afternoon, while the Badgers will meet either Nebraska or Illinois for the Big Ten tournament title on Sunday at Target Center.