Matt Painter looking to break through in Elite Eight
DETROIT – One win away.
The Purdue Boilermakers and their fans haven’t been to the NCAA’s Final Four in 44 long years. There’s no program or coach that deserves to get there more than the Boilers and Matt Painter.
In 19 years in West Lafayette, Painter has claimed five Big Ten titles and been to seven Sweet 16s. Sunday will be his second Elite Eight appearance. Those numbers are almost identical to Hall of Fame coach Gene Keady, who he played for from 1989-93.
Painter’s current players want this for him in the worst way.
“It would be big time,” said senior center Zach Edey. “He’s really a coach that deserves to get there. The way he carries himself and handles his business, he’s a great guy. I owe a lot to him.”
“He hasn’t gotten over that hump,” sophomore guard Fletcher Loyer said. “Getting over that hump for him would be awesome. Hopefully, it will make him happy. Obviously, we’ve put a lot of work in to do so.”
To get Painter that elusive first Final Four berth, the Boilers will have to go through All-American guard Dalton Knecht and Tennessee.
“One versus two to go the Final Four, this is how we want it,” Edey said. “This is what we’ve been working for all season.”
Purdue met the Volunteers on the way to their last trip to the Elite Eight in 2019. Ryan Cline and Carsen Edwards shot the Boilers past Tennessee in Louisville before losing to eventual champion Virginia in overtime. Now, a chance to make amends.
“It would mean a lot,” senior Lance Jones said. “It would mean a lot to this program, to this university, to Coach Paint, to these players, past players. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
“It’s been so much fun,” Loyer added. “It’s something that we’ve all looked forward to as kids, going to AAU tournaments and high school basketball. This is what you play for.”
“It would be huge,” said Painter. “It’s been our goal to win a national championship, so we feel like we’re halfway there. We’ve worked really hard for it. We’ve had some disappointing losses in the NCAA Tournament. You want to rectify that.”
Purdue and Tennessee tip-off in the Midwest Region final at 2:20 p.m. in Detroit on CBS4.
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