Local School Corporations Operating on 2-Hour Delay Because of Purdue's National Championship Appearance
Do you need more evidence that basketball just means more in the state of Indiana? If you didn't believe that already, this might convince you. Because on Tuesday, April 9, school corporations around Purdue University will be operating on a two-hour delay so kids can watch their beloved Boilermakers in the national championship.
Posts on social media indicate that Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County schools will be operating on a two-hour delay on Tuesday. School officials made the move because Monday night's tipoff between No. 1 seed Purdue and No. 1 seed UConn is set for 9:20 p.m. ET.
Update: Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe schools all on 2-hour delay Tuesday, given the 9:20 pm Monday start for Purdue-UConn in the NCAA national championship game. (Schools already out Monday for the eclipse.) @BoilerBall #NCAAMarchMadness pic.twitter.com/AZOpIH0sL8
— Dave Bangert (@davebangert) April 7, 2024
Purdue is playing in its first national championship since 1969. This is also the first trip to the Final Four for the Boilermakers since 1980. It's safe to say that Monday night's game is of massive importane to a lot of people in the area.
It's a really cool gesture from school officials to allow students the chance to stay up late and cheer on the Boilers as they play for their first NCAA Tournament national championship. It should be an incredibly fun matchup, going against defending champion UConn.
Purdue has won four of its five NCAA Tournament games by double figures to reach the national championship. The Boilers started March Madness with a 78-50 win over Grambling in the first round and blowing out Utah State 106-67 to advance to the Sweet 16.
Matt Painter's team then took down Gonzaga 80-68 in the Sweet 16 and squeaked out a 72-66 victory over Tennessee in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four.
On Saturday, Purdue defeated North Carolina State 63-50 to rach the championship game.
Related stories on Purdue basketball
- BRADEN SMITH EMBRACES UNDERDOG ROLE: Purdue will enter Monday's game against UConn as a 6.5-point underdog. Point guard Braden Smith isn't fazed by that status, saying he "loves the challenge." CLICK HERE
- DAN HURLEY TALKS CHALLENGES FACING PURDUE: Yes, figuring out Zach Edey is a tall task for UConn in the national championship. But Huskies coach Dan Hurley says that stopping Purdue's 3-point shooting is another big challenge. CLICK HERE
- PAINTER THANKFUL FOR MORTON, FURST: Most of the talk surrounding Purdue has been related to Zach Edey, Braden Smith and Lance Jones. But coach Matt Painter doesn't want you to forget about the sacrifices made be Ethan Morton and Caleb Furst. CLICK HERE
- TOM BREW COLUMN: In 2018, Virginia became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The following season, the Cavaliers won a national championship. How Purdue learned from Virginia — and from its own failures in the NCAA Tournament. CLICK HERE
- EDEY NAMED NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: For a second straight season, Zach Edey has been named the Naismith National Player of the Year. He averaged 24.9 points and 12.2 rebounds for Purdue this season. CLICK HERE
- HOW TO WATCH PURDUE-UCONN: No. 1 seeds Purdue and UConn will meet in the national championship on Monday night at State Farm Stadium. Here's how you can watch and listen to the showdown in Phoenix. CLICK HERE
