NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2023 NBA Draft deadline results

NCAA Basketball: 8 biggest takeaways from 2023 NBA Draft deadline results

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after making a basket during the first half of a Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Second Round game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Edey’s return official makes Purdue national title contenders

There was no decision that had more impact on one individual program than Purdue with Edey, who was the reigning National Player of the Year. He led the team with 22.3 ppg and 12.9 rpg, scoring in double figures and 27 games with 10+ rebounds.

There were a number of big performances of the big man, including 38 points and 13 rebounds against Michigan State, 33 points and 18 rebounds versus Indiana, and 31 points and 22 rebounds against Minnesota. The Big Ten Player of the Year took a team that went from unranked in the preseason to No. 1 in the polls for most of last season.

The Boilermakers had a good roster around him, including guards, Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. However, they needed Edey back to remain a threat to win a national title. And while he had a chance to get drafted had he stayed, the 7’4 center made the decision to come back for one more year.

https://twitter.com/zach_edey/status/1664075497490227202

Considering that Purdue now brings back almost everyone, they have to be a preseason top-5 team for the 2023-24 campaign. And after losing to a 16 seed in last season’s NCAA Tournament, there’s now plenty of motivation for them to come back and make a deep run next time.

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