The Best Statistics Highlighting Purdue's Historic 2023-24 Basketball Season

Purdue enjoyed one of the best college basketball seasons in program history in 2023-24. Here's some of the top statistical highlights from the year, as the Boilermakers won a Big Ten regular season title and reached the Final Four.
Purdue Boilermakers celebrate defeating the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday, March 31, 2024, after
Purdue Boilermakers celebrate defeating the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday, March 31, 2024, after / Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY

Purdue enjoyed one of the best seasons in program history during the 2023-24 college basketball campaign. The Boilermakers finished with a 34-5 record and played in the national championship before falling 75-60 to UConn.

It was a memorable run for Matt Painter and the Boilers, finally returning to the Final Four for the first time since 1980 and winning a second straight Big Ten regular season.

Here are some of the top accomplishments from Purdue's 2023-24 season — as highlighted by Purdue Athletics.

Team accomplishments

  • Purdue finished the 2023-24 season with a 34-5 record. It's the most wins the Boilermakers have posted in a single season in program history. This year also marked the program's first trip to the Final Four since 1980 and first national championship appearance since 1969.
  • The Boilermakers broke school records in multiple statistical categories, including total points (3,211), rebound margin (plus-11.2 per game), total assists (720), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.63), field goals made (1,109), free throws made (675) and free throw attempts (938).
  • Purdue finished the 2023-24 season shooting 40.4% from 3-point range. That percentage was the second-best in the country for the year.
  • In the 2023-24 season, the Boilermakers played 11 games against nationally-ranked opponents, finishing with a 10-1 record. The only loss came vs. UConn in the national championship.
  • Purdue owns a 20-6 record vs. nationally-ranked opponents over the last three seasons. The team's .769 winning percentage is the best for any college basketball team in that span.
  • Since the 2016-17 season, the Boilers are 113-42 in Big Ten play. That's the best league record in the conference in the last eight years. Michigan State ranks second at 97-58.
  • Purdue is the first team to be ranked No. 1 nationally in three consecutive seasons in Big Ten history.
  • The Boilers were undefeated in home games at Mackey Arena this season, posting a perfect 16-0 record on their home court.

Zach Edey's accomplishments

  • Edey became the first player in 40 years to win the Naismith National Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons (Ralph Sampson, Virginia — 1981-83). He's the first player since Bill Walton (UCLA — 1972-73) to earn unanimous National Player of the Year honors in consecutive years.
  • Edey was the back-to-back winner of the Big Ten Player of the Year award
  • Edey set a new conference record by winning the Big Ten Player of the Week award 12 times in his career.
  • Edey's 983 points ranks second all-time in Big Ten history for scoring in a single season. Purdue legend Glenn Robinson is No. 1 with 1,030 points in a season (1993-94).
  • Edey's 474 rebounds in the 2023-24 season ranks second all-time in Big Ten history in a single season.
  • Edey became the first player in NCAA Tournament history to record seven straight double-doubles of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. He averaged 29.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game this year.
  • Edey leaves Purdue as the program's all-time leading scorer (2,516 points) and rebounder (1,321).

Braden Smith's accomplishments

  • Smith became just the second player in NCAA history to finished a single season with at least 450 points, 275 assists and 200 rebounds (Kyle Collinsworth, BYU — 2016).
  • Smith set a Big Ten record for assists in a single season, finishing the year with 292.
  • Smith was an All-Big Ten first-team selection. He was an All-American honorable mention per the Associated Press.

Mason Gillis' accomplishments

  • Gillis ended the 2023-24 season shooting 46.8% from 3-point range. It's the fifth-best percentage in Purdue history. He ended his career making 40.7% of his shots from behind the arc, the seventh-best percentage in program history.
  • Gillis was named the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game off the bench.

Related stories on Purdue basketball

  • BRANDON NEWMAN ENTERS PORTAL: Former Purdue guard Brandon Newman has entered his name in the transfer portal after one season at Western Kentucky. He has one year of eligibility remaining. CLICK HERE
  • PURDUE TO PLAY TEXAS A&M: The 2023-24 college basketball season just ended, but Purdue is already adding to its nonconference schedule for next year. The Boilermakers are scheduled to play Texas A&M in Indianapolis next December. CLICK HERE
  • MASON GILLIS CONFIRMS FUTURE PLANS: After spending five seasons at Purdue, forward Mason Gillis has announced his future plans. He will test the NBA Draft while also maintaining his college eligibility and entering the NCAA transfer portal. CLICK HERE

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