Big Ten Roundup (Sept. 8): Zach Edey, Canada Lose in FIBA Semifinals, LaPorta Stars in NFL Debut

Purdue basketball center Zach Edey and the Canadian men's national team lost to Serbia in the FIBA World Cup semifinals on Friday, while former Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta had an excellent debut for the Detroit Lions in their season opening win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Most people believe that the Detroit Lions knocking off the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the first game of the 2023 NFL season is the most shocking sporting result in the past 24 hours.

But on Friday morning, it was surpassed by a result in the FIBA World Cup. Led by NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, many thought Team Canada would be the USA's strongest competition in pursuit of the basketball world championship (more on that later). However, the Canadians were defeated by Serbia 95-86 in the tournament's semifinals on Friday morning. 

Purdue center Zach Edey rarely saw time throughout the FIBA competition for Canada, but did get minutes in the waning moments of the game against Serbia. 

But speaking of that Lions-Chiefs game, Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta did see significant playing time in his team's victory. The rookie, who formerly played for coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, emerged as one of the Lions' best skill players in the 21-20 win. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup:

Zach Edey, Canada Lose in Semifinals to Serbia

The shocking semifinal result makes even less sense when you remember that Nikola Jokic — the two-time NBA MVP, reigning 2023 NBA Finals MVP and the consensus best basketball player in the world right now — was not playing for Serbia on Friday.

Rather, the horse-loving big man likely watched his countrymen upset Edey and Canada from his couch.

Fortunately for Canada (if you want to think about it like that), they'll still get their shot at Team USA, as the Americans also lost in the FIBA semifinals on Friday. The U.S. men's national team was defeated by Germany 113-111, and now will face Edey and Co. for the bronze medal.

The 7-foot-4 center from Purdue did finish the loss to Serbia with a mark on the box score. Late in the game, with things already out of reach for Canada, Edey tipped in a missed three to give himself five points on the day in total. 

Iowa TE Sam LaPorta's Rookie Debut

Though Kadarius Toney's brutal performance for the Kansas City Chiefs was the story of the NFL's opening night, the stellar performance from LaPorta should not go unnoticed. 

The rookie tight end from Iowa finished his first ever NFL game with five receptions on five targets for 39 yards. He's already proving the Lions correct for spending the 34th overall pick on him in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

sam laporta had himself a nice lil game, 5 receptions for 39 yards tonight pic.twitter.com/riB9GM31mm

— dope 🫨 (@dopeisalive) September 8, 2023

LaPorta was also instrumental in the Detroit's physical run game against the Chiefs. He's right on track to join George Kittle, Dallas Clark, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant and so many more as another great tight end produced by coach Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

Entire right side of the line cratered lol, Penei Sewell doesn't fully get hands on 93 but helps push him back and look at the block by Sam LaPorta on Karlaftis. Gibbs probably scores here if he doesn't slip. pic.twitter.com/TshU9VEnj1

— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) September 8, 2023

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