Boilermakers Country

Robbie Hummel Explains How Purdue Can Defend North Carolina State in Final Four

Purdue will have a challenge in the Final Four, going up against North Carolina State's DJ Burns Jr. Big Ten Network college basketball analyst Robbie Hummel provied some thoughts on how the Boilermakers might defend the March Madness star.

Dustin Schutte

Mar 31, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward DJ Burns Jr. (30) reacts in the
Mar 31, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward DJ Burns Jr. (30) reacts in the / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina State might be an 11 seed in this year's tournament, but the Wolfpack have won nine straight games and emerged as the darling of the NCAA Tournament. Purdue is going to have quite a challenge on its hands in the Final Four matchup, especially with big man DJ Burns Jr.

Burns has been solid for North Carolina State through the first four games of the NCAA Tournament. He's averaging 18.3 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest.

The problem teams have had with Burns relates to his size. The senior stands 6-foot-9, 275 pounds. So, the question for Purdue is this: Who is tasked with defending Burns on Saturday in Phoenix?

Former Purdue standout and current college basketball analyst Robbie Hummel finds that particular decision really interesting. He believes it could be either Zach Edey or Trey Kaufman-Renn — or both — who are tasked with the assignment.

"The kinda obviously answer I think is, well, Edey will just guard him," Hummel said on Big Ten Network. "I could see Purdue starting Edey on (Mohamed) Diarra and then going with their four, Trey Kaufman-Renn, to start on Burns and then Edey will play a rover. He'll come over and double-team and they'll double the post and rotate out, knowing Diarra is not gonna kill you from three.

"That will be a choice they're gonna have to make, because Burns wheels and deals, he's got a really good left-hand jump hook. He can really pass. So I can see them doing that."

Through the first four games of the tournament, Edey has been the most dominant player on the court. But because of North Carolina State's Cinderella status, Burns has become the fan favorite.

"Burns has really been the story of the tournament for them," Hummel said. "He was phenomenal against Duke. And N.C. State is really a great story. I think the biggest thing for me, though, is how does Purdue decide to guard him?"

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Dustin Schutte

DUSTIN SCHUTTE