Top-seeded Purdue blasted number 16 Grambling 78-50 in round one of the NCAA men’s tournament from Indianapolis. Zach Edey led all scorers with 30 points and gobbled a game-high 21 rebounds.
Edey became the first player since Maryland’s Joe Smith in 1995 to have a 30-point, 20-rebound game in the NCAA tournament. It was his third career game with 30 points and 20 rebounds, making him the player with the most of these impressive performances in Division I over the last 25 seasons.
“(I) tried to play as hard as I can, trying to send a message to the team: We’re here, we’re ready, we’re good,” he said. “Send a message to the country: We’re good.”
Braden Smith tallied 11 points and 10 assists, while Trey Kaufman-Ren chipped in with 11 points. The Boilermakers tip off against number eight Utah State in the Midwest region on Sunday. Tra’Michael Moton led the Tigers with 21 points. Grambling finishes its season 21-and-15.
Purdue plays Utah on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
