Purdue Basketball: 3 keys for Purdue to beat NC State in the Final Four

2. Connect from deep

Give NC State credit, they have been tenacious defensively throughout the NCAA Tournament. Holding Marquette to 33% shooting for the field and 13% from three in the Sweet 16 and holding Duke to 32% shooting from the field, 25% from three in the Elite Eight is mighty impressive.

Sure, it may be true that Marquette, for example, had numerous good looks from three and couldn't but couldn't seem to connect, but John Fanta of Fox Sports pointed out in the Field of 68’s DTF Podcast that even if that may have been the case, they still had to work incredibly hard to get that shot -- credit to NC State.

Now it’s Purdue's turn, whose fate behind the arc will be tested on Saturday.

Entering the game as one of college basketball’s best three-point shooting teams shooting a 40.6% clip from behind the arc. If they wish to be successful, they must continue to knock down threes at an efficient clip.

Although NC State may throw a wrinkle or two at attempting to defend Edey, like a double team or a quick hedge, that means the likes of Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Lance Jones must rotate to give Edey a clean passing window to get a catch-and-shoot three.