Tag: Purdue

Rutgers baseball dropped Big Ten series against the Boilermakers

On Saturday, Rutgers baseball lost the second game of its series against Purdue 8-6, dropping their second Big Ten series in 2024. 

On Saturday, Rutgers baseball (19-11, 1-4) lost the second game of its series against Purdue (19-12, 4-4) 8-6, dropping their second Big Ten series in 2024.  The Scarlet Knights took a 6-5 lead into the ninth inning, but the Boilermakers hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the final frame to earn the win and clinch the series.

Game One

In game one, the Scarlet Knights rallied to tie the game at 3-3 with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Boilermakers scored a pair in the 10th inning to win.

After Rutgers starting pitcher Justin Sinibaldi posted five shutout innings, Purdue got on the board on an RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth inning to give the Boilermakers a 1-0 lead. In the seventh inning, the Boilermakers added another run on an RBI single giving Purdue a 2-0 lead. Rutgers reliever Joe Mazza came in the seventh inning, recording two strikeouts to hold the Purdue lead to two.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, second baseman Cameron Love got the Scarlet Knights on the board with a solo home run over the left field wall, making the score 2-1.

Purdue added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning to extend their lead to 3-1, but the Scarlet Knights would tie the game in the bottom frame.

The Scarlet Knights cut Purdue’s lead to one when pitch-runner Scotty Young scored on a wild throw by the Boilermakers. Center fielder RJ Johnson Jr. tied the game with an RBI single, but a double play would end the frame and send the game to extra innings.

Purdue grabbed a 5-3 lead in the 10th inning when the Boilermakers scored on a hit-by-pitch and walk. The Scarlet Knights tried to rally in the bottom frame, but fell short, giving Purdue the game one victory.

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Game Two

The Scarlet Knights grabbed an early lead in game two, scoring three runs on an RBI single from shortstop Josh Kuroda-Grauer, a run-scoring double play, and a solo home run from catcher Jackson Natili.

After two scoreless innings by starting pitcher Zack Konstantinovsky, Purdue tied the game when they strung together three hits in the top of the third inning.

Rutgers third baseman Tony Santa Maria recorded his ninth home run of the season in the fourth inning, giving the Scarlet Knights a 5-3 lead. The Boilermakers didn’t quit, answering right back with an RBI double and RBI groundout in the fifth inning to make it 5-5.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Doucette delivered a sac fly to deep center that scored one run, giving Rutgers a 6-5 lead.

Purdue strung together two singles in the top of the ninth inning before a three-run home run put the Boilermakers in front 8-6. The Scarlet Knights couldn’t produce any runs in the bottom frame, going down 1-2-3 in the bottom half to end the game.

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Potential Thunder draft prospect Zach Edey leads Purdue to Final Four win

Potential Thunder draft prospect Zach Edey leads Purdue to Final Four win.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to convey to OKC than the latter.

With the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament concluded, the top prospects were in the spotlight as they drew national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is Purdue center Zach Edey. He finished with 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 40 minutes in Purdue’s 63-50 win over NC State in the Final Four on Saturday.

Edey is a polarizing figure as a draft prospect. After opting out of last year’s draft, he returned for his senior season at Purdue and put up monster numbers. In 35 games, he averaged 24.5 points on 62% shooting, 12.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. He led Purdue to a No. 1 seed.

The concern with the 7-foot-4, 300-pound big man is his mobility and slowness. If he can’t improve in those areas, he might not survive as an NBA center.

On the Thunder, Edey would add serious size to a small roster. He can play a traditional big-man role and pair with Chet Holmgren nicely. He ultimately might not fit with OKC due to his lack of playmaking.

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Zach Edey was a high school baseball pitcher but this video shows basketball was the right choice

Edey eventually outgrew the sport but he was a sight to behold.

Long before he was absolutely dominating during March Madness, Purdue big man Zach Edey was playing a different sport in high school.

Edey, a 7-foot-4 center who is originally from Canada, was the national collegiate player of the year last season and will likely win it again this year. The big man has led Purdue to the Final Four for the first time since 1980.

But what is especially difficult to believe is that Edey did not even play basketball until he was a sophomore in high school. Before that, he was focused on ice hockey and baseball.

This video is resurfacing of him playing baseball and he was not bad! His fastball needed way more velocity but that is an intimidating presence to bat against.

Edey pitched in Ontario for the travel team Leaside. He was even reportedly scouted to play baseball at the University of Alabama.

He had a “stellar” youth baseball career, per The Athletic, and began his career as a first baseman. Edey was also throwing 70 to 75 miles per hour at 13 years old.

Although he wanted to become the tallest MLB player to ever play, Edey admitted that the sport became a lot harder for him as he grew (via Journal & Courier):

“It was something I really wanted during my childhood. Something I dreamed about,” Edey said. “I kind of outgrew the sport. My shoulder was kind of giving out a little bit. It wasn’t very realistic anymore.”

He elaborated about the difficulties of the growth sport (via Stadium):

“I was growing so much, losing muscle mass, and I couldn’t hit,” Edey said. “I was uncoordinated because of the amount of size I put on. My eye line changed, everything changed. I was still pitching fairly well, but had a lot of arm, shoulder and elbow problems. I was throwing too hard for where my muscle development was at, and I lost a lot of my love for the sport because I felt like I was outgrowing it.”

Even though Edey potentially could have played college baseball in the United States, he now has a chance to become a lottery pick as an NBA player.

We projected that the big man will hear his name called in the first round of our latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft.

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Potential Thunder draft prospect Dalton Knecht torches Purdue in Tennessee’s loss

Potential Thunder draft prospect Dalton Knecht torches Purdue in Tennessee’s loss.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to come to OKC than the latter.

With the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament concluded, the top prospects were in the spotlight as they drew national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht. He finished with 37 points on 14-of-31 shooting, 6-of-12 from 3 and three rebounds in 37 minutes in No. 2 Tennessee’s 72-66 loss to No. 1 Purdue in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

The third-year player has enjoyed a career season at Tennessee after spending the last two years with small-school Northern Colorado. The 22-year-old is one of the older lottery prospects, but the negative connotation surrounding age has slowly faded.

Knecht’s best skill is outside shooting; he has been a high-volume 3-point shooter. He has averaged 21.1 points on 47% shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He’s shot 39.7% from 3 on 6.2 attempts.

The high-volume outside shooter would add another 3-point threat for the Thunder. Sharpshooters are always in demand in the NBA. He can provide OKC with spacing.

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Potential Thunder draft prospect Zach Edey dominates as Purdue reaches Final Four

Potential Thunder draft prospect Zach Edey dominates as Purdue reaches Final Four.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to convey to OKC than the latter.

With the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament concluded, the top prospects were in the spotlight as they drew national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is Purdue center Zach Edey. He finished with 40 points on 13-of-21 shooting, 14-of-22 from the free-throw line and 16 rebounds in 39 minutes in No. 1 Purdue’s 72-66 win over No. 2 Tennessee in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

Edey is a polarizing figure as a draft prospect. After opting out of last year’s draft, he returned for his senior season at Purdue and put up monster numbers. In 35 games, he averaged 24.5 points on 62% shooting, 12.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. He led Purdue to a No. 1 seed.

The concern with the 7-foot-4, 300-pound big man is his mobility and slowness. If he can’t improve in those areas, he might not survive as an NBA center.

On the Thunder, Edey adds serious size to a small roster. He can play a traditional big-man role and pair with Chet Holmgren nicely. He ultimately might not fit with OKC due to his lack of playmaking.

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PHOTOS: Dalton Knecht scores 37 points against Purdue in Elite Eight

PHOTOS: Dalton Knecht scores 37 points for Tennessee basketball against Purdue in the Elite Eight

No. 1 seed Purdue (33-4) defeated No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-9), 72-66, on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

The contest took place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Purdue advances to the Final Four for the first time since 1980. The Boilermakers will play the winner between Duke and North Carolina State. Final Four games will be contested April 6-8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Dalton Knecht played his final game for the Vols. He led Tennessee in scoring with 37 points.

Zach Edey led the Boilermakers with 40 points and also recorded 16 rebounds and one assist.

Below are photos of the Tennessee-Purdue basketball game on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

Purdue eliminates Vols from NCAA Tournament

Purdue defeats Tennessee and advances to the Final Four.

No. 1 seed Purdue (31-4, 17-3 Big Ten) defeated No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-9, 14-4 SEC), 72-66, in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

The Boilermakers led, 36-34, at halftime. Tennessee led by 11 points during the first-half.

Dalton Knecht totaled 37 points for the Vols, while breaking Ernie Grunfield’s single-game NCAA Tournament scoring record (36) at Tennessee.

Knecht also recorded three rebounds and one assist in his final game for the Vols.

Zakai Zeigler totaled nine points, eight assists and four rebounds for Tennessee.

Josiah-Jordan James recorded eight points and Jordan Gainey finished with six points for the Vols.

Purdue’s Zach Edey scored a game-high 40 points. He also totaled 16 rebounds.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Looking back at Tennessee’s overtime win against Purdue in 2017

Looking back at Tennessee’s overtime win against Purdue basketball in 2017.

No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-8, 14-4 SEC) will play No. 1 seed Purdue (32-4, 17-3 Big Ten) Sunday in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Tipoff between the Vols and Boilermakers is slated for 2:20 p.m. EDT and CBS will televise the contest.

Sunday will mark the seventh all time meeting between Tennessee and Purdue. The Boilermakers have won four of the six previous games between the two schools.

Purdue also has a two-game win streak in the series. The Boilermakers defeated Tennessee, 71-67, during the 2023-24 regular-season.

Tennessee earned its last victory against Purdue during the 2017-18 season. The Vols defeated Purdue, 78-75 in overtime, during the Battle 4 Atlantis in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

The game was tied, 31-31, at halftime and tied, 63-63, in regulation.

Grant Williams totaled 22 points and eight rebounds for the Vols, while Kyle Alexander recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Admiral Schofield finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for Tennessee.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee basketball’s all time results against Purdue

A look at the Tennessee-Purdue men’s basketball series.

No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-8, 14-4 SEC) will play No. 2 seed Purdue (32-4, 17-3 Big Ten) Sunday in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Tipoff between the Vols and Boilermakers is slated for 2:20 p.m. EDT and CBS will televise the contest.

Sunday marks the seventh all time meeting between Tennessee and Purdue. The Boilermakers have won four of the six previous games between the two teams.

Purdue also has a two-game win streak in the series. The Boilermakers defeated Tennessee, 71-67, during the 2023-24 regular-season.

Sunday also marks the second postseason meeting between the two schools. Purdue defeated Tennessee, 99-94 in overtime, during the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee-Purdue all-time results

1980: Tennessee 78, Purdue 69

1981: Purdue 82, Tennessee 68

2009: Purdue 73, Tennessee 72

2017: Tennessee 78, Purdue 75 (OT)

2019: Purdue 99, Tennessee 94 (OT)

2023: Purdue 71, Tennessee 67

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Purdue basketball series through the years

Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Purdue basketball series through the years

PHOTOS: A look at the Tennessee-Purdue basketball series through the years

Tennessee and Purdue basketball will play each other for the seventh time on Sunday.

No. 2 seed Tennessee (27-8) will play No. 1 seed Purdue (32-4) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Sunday.

Tipoff between the Vols and Boilermakers is slated for 2:20 p.m. EDT and will be televised by CBS. Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst) and Evan Washburn (reporter) will be on the call.

Purdue leads the all time series against the Vols, 4-2.

Tennessee and Purdue played each other in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The Boilermakers were victorious, 99-94, in overtime.

The most recent meeting took place during the regular-season on Nov. 21, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Purdue defeated the Vols, 71-67.

Below are photos of the Tennessee-Purdue basketball series through the years.