Boilermakers Country

N.C. State's DJ Burns Jr. Prepared to Challenge Purdue's Zach Edey

North Carolina State's DJ Burns Jr. was asked about the challenge of guarding Purdue star Zach Edey. Burns is prepared to give Edey a challenge in the post, saying "nobody has put scoring pressure on him like I will."

Dustin Schutte

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

One of the matchups everyone is highlighting for Saturday's Final Four showdown between No. 1 Purdue and No. 11 North Carolina State is the battle between Zach Edey and DJ Burns Jr. It's been a major talking point in the week leading up to the clash in Phoenix.

Both Edey and Burns are coming off impressive performances in their respective Elite Eight games. Edey scored 40 points and collected 16 rebounds in Purdue's 72-66 victory over Tennessee on Sunday. Burns scored 29 points, grabbed four boards and dished out three assists in N.C. State's 76-64 win over Duke.

It should create an incredibly fun matchup in Phoenix. And, clearly, Burns is ready for the challenge in facing the 7-foot-4 center and reigning National Player of the Year.

"I think he hasn't had anybody put scoring pressure on him as much as I will, for sure," Burns said in a video posted by Fox's John Fanta. "Well, maybe he did, but not under a stage like this."

This season, Edey is averaging 25 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He's been the most dominant player in college basketball for the past two seasons, and teams have rarely had an answer for him on the inside.

But N.C. State didn't get to the Final Four by playing scared. The Wolfpack have won nine straight games and are hoping this magical Cinderella story continues into Monday night.

Edey was also asked about the play of Burns, who has been a fan favorite during this tournament.

"I think it's kinda unfair the way people treat him," Edey said. "I think people kinda treat him like he's a sideshow. He's a really good basketball player. Don't get that mistaken. We're gonna give him that respect and we're gonna treat him like that because he's earned it."

Saturday's tipoff between Purdue and N.C. State is scheduled for 6:09 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on TBS.

Related stories on Purdue basketball

  • LEBRON JAMES SHOUTS OUT ZACH EDEY: While talking about the star power in men's and women's college basketball, NBA superstar LeBron James gave a shoutout to Purdue center Zach Edey. CLICK HERE
  • PAINTER SAYS PURDUE STILL KEADY'S PROGRAM: Matt Painter and Gene Keady shared a special moment on the floor after Sunday's win over Tennessee. Although Painter has run the show for two decades, he still says Purdue is Keady's program. CLICK HERE
  • MATT PAINTER TALKS CHALLENGES VS. N.C. STATE: The Boilermakers will have their hands full in Saturday's Final Four matchup against N.C. State. Here's what Matt Painter had to say about Purdue's next opponent. CLICK HERE
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Dustin Schutte

DUSTIN SCHUTTE