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UNC Basketball: 3 keys to victory against Purdue in 2021 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 5, 2021; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot performs in the second half at Dean Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2021; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot performs in the second half at Dean Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Purdue Basketball center Zach Edey Bkc Purdue Vs Wright State
Purdue Basketball center Zach Edey Bkc Purdue Vs Wright State /

2. Slow down Zach Edey

UNC basketball has its own star power in tow for Saturday’s big matchup but the Purdue Boilermakers have a star of their own in sophomore Zach Edey. He’s off to a fast start, averaging a double-double with 18.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, and 1.3 apg.

Edey has been an efficient presence around the rim through the first three games, shooting 76.9 percent from the field on 6.7 made field goals. He’s also quite the presence on the offensive glass. He leads Big Ten basketball in offensive rebounds (14) and ranks 10th in NCAA basketball.

The Tar Heels will need to keep him off the glass and slow him down or things could get interesting. In a game where the pace is likely to be very high, this is a game where big men Zach Edey and Armando Bacot find themselves squaring off on each and every possession.

That’s not to take away anything from Jaden Ivey and Sasha Stefanovic, either. Ivey is putting up 15.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, and 1.7 spg. Stefanovic is posting 13.7 ppg, 2.3 apg and 2.3 rpg on 57.9 percent shooting from 3-point range and knocked down 3.7 3-pointers per game from deep.

The guards will certainly battle against UNC basketball’s backcourt, but Edey is the X-Factor for this group. The Tar Heels will need to find a way to limit his touches if they hope to win.

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