Micah Shrewsberry Speaks on Purdue's NCAA Tournament Chances

"They're going to will themselves through some games when they don't shoot it well because of how they defend, because of how they rebound," Penn State coach Micah Shrewsberry said of Purdue.

CHICAGO — With its back against the wall, Penn State made a miraculous comeback attempt after trailing by 17 points in the second half against Purdue during Sunday's Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament title game at the United Center. 

The Nittany Lions brought the game to within one point and later had a chance to win it with a 3-pointer at the buzzer before falling short in the final seconds, 67-65. They played the Boilermakers three times during the season but couldn't find a way to win. 

Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry — a former assistant at Purdue under Matt Painter — has come to learn just how hard it is to beat this year's team despite its share of struggles late in the season. 

"Towards the end of the year, they've had some ups and downs, but everybody has throughout this year," Shrewsberry said of Purdue. "It's not untypical of any team in college basketball, and they came here and got some other guys going." 

The Boilermakers, who started the season 22-1, lost four of six before winning its final two regular-season games and clinching a Big Ten championship. They've now won five straight in the Month of march heading into the NCAA Tournament with the No. 1 seed in the East Region. 

Star center Zach Edey will continue to be the centerpiece for Purdue. In three Big Ten Tournament games, he averaged 26.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per contest. But more importantly, the team had its secondary options step up when it mattered most. 

Mason Gillis posted 20 points in a victory over Rutgers, Brandon Newman scored 15 against Ohio State, and David Jenkins Jr. reached double-digit scoring twice in three days after doing so only two times during the entire regular season. 

The team's success also takes a load off freshman guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, who were shaky at times in their first tournament experience. 

Smith scored just two points in the title game against Penn State and was 0-of-8 from the field after recording 14 points against Ohio State. Loyer averaged just 3.7 points during the tournament, shooting a combined 2-of-16, including 2-of-9 from the 3-point line. 

"Now if they can get Fletcher going again — if they can get Braden and those guys playing well around him, they at least have alternatives now," Shrewsberry said. "Brandon Newman is playing well. David Jenkins is playing well." 

For Purdue to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, success is largely hinged on Edey's surrounding pieces. But away from the offensive end of the floor, the Boilermakers are 26th in defensive efficiency according to the 2023 Pomery college basketball ratings and boast the top rebounding team in the nation. 

"It's still threats that are around Zach, which is an issue," Shrewsberry said. "Mason is just a warrior crashing the glass, getting possessions back where they end up scoring on almost all of them." 

"They're going to will themselves through some games when they don't shoot it well because of how they defend, because of how they rebound." 

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• Purdue Captures Big Ten Tournament Win Over Penn State: Purdue won the 2023 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament championship game by surviving a late push from Penn State on Sunday at the United Center. Junior center Zach Edey led the way with 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting and came down with 13 rebounds. CLICK HERE
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