Helena Frye
Purdue University's basketball team, the Boilermakers, has a long and proud history. The team has participated in 35 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four three times, most recently in 2024, and the NCAA Finals twice. However, Purdue has never won an NCAA Championship. The closest they came was in 1969, when they lost to UCLA in the championship game. In 2024, Purdue reached the Final Four for the first time in over 40 years, led by star player Zach Edey, who was named National Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
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What You'll Learn
Purdue's 2024 NCAA Tournament run
Purdue University's men's basketball team, the Boilermakers, has had a successful run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, making it to the Final Four for the first time since 1980. Led by 7-foot-4 All-American Zach Edey, the Boilermakers have had a strong season, ranking in the top five of the AP poll in 37 consecutive weeks—the longest streak in the Big Ten in almost 50 years.
The Boilermakers have a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with 2024 marking their 35th participation. Their previous record before this year's Final Four was 48-34. Purdue came close to winning the national championship in 1969, led by star guard Rick Mount, but ultimately lost to John Wooden's UCLA team.
In 2024, Purdue secured its second straight NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed and its fifth No. 1 seed in school history. They achieved notable victories, including a win over Utah State, with Purdue scoring 106 points to Utah State's 67. Purdue also defeated Tennessee, a highly-ranked team, with a score of 72-66.
Purdue's success in the 2024 NCAA Tournament can be attributed to the impressive performances of several players. Zach Edey, a unanimous National Player of the Year for the second year in a row, set multiple records, including ranking second in Big Ten history in points and rebounds. Other players, like Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, and Donovan Clingan, also contributed significantly to the team's success.
Purdue's road to the Final Four was not without challenges. They faced tough competition, including a close game against Tennessee in the Elite Eight. However, their season ended with a loss in the National Championship game to UConn, who won their second consecutive title. Despite the loss, Purdue's 34 wins set a school record, and their performance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament marked a successful chapter in the team's history.
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Purdue's 1969 NCAA Finals appearance
Purdue University has a rich history in NCAA basketball tournaments, with 35 appearances and an overall record of 48-34. The closest they came to winning a national championship was in 1969, marking their second and last appearance in the finals.
Led by star guard Rick Mount, the Boilermakers had a remarkable season in 1969, finishing with a 23-5 record and a Big Ten title. Mount's impressive performance saw him break the Big Ten's single-season scoring record, scoring 40 points in the regular-season finale. Purdue's road to the Final Four included victories over Miami (Ohio) and Marquette in the NCAA Tournament regionals.
The 1969 NCAA University Division men's basketball tournament began on March 8, 1969, with 25 schools vying for the national championship title. Despite a strong start, Purdue faced setbacks due to injuries to key players, including starting point guard Billy Keller and forward Herm Gilliam, and 7-foot center Chuck Bavis, who suffered a broken collarbone during the Mideast Regionals.
In the Final Four, held in Louisville, Kentucky, Purdue faced off against the formidable UCLA team, coached by John Wooden. Purdue put up a valiant effort, with Mount leading all scorers in the tournament with 122 points. However, they ultimately fell short, losing to UCLA by a score of 92-72. UCLA's victory was largely attributed to the outstanding performance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who scored 37 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, securing their third consecutive NCAA title.
Despite falling short in the 1969 NCAA Finals, Purdue's appearance in the championship game remains a significant milestone in the university's basketball history. The team's resilience and determination, embodied by the exceptional talent of Rick Mount, continue to inspire generations of Boilermakers.
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Zach Edey's impact on the team
Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4-inch tall Canadian basketball player, has been instrumental in Purdue's success in the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game. Edey's impact on the team has been significant, leading them to the championship game in his final year.
Edey's performance in his freshman season at Purdue University set the tone for his college career. He averaged 8.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 14 minutes per game, earning him Big Ten All-Freshman Team honours. The following season, as a sophomore, he improved in every category except free throw percentage, averaging 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 19 minutes per game. This performance earned him a spot on the Second Team All-Big Ten.
Edey continued to excel in his junior year, becoming the first player since Bill Walton (1972-1973) to be a back-to-back unanimous National Player of the Year. He set numerous records, including becoming the second player in Purdue history to reach 1,000 career rebounds and surpassing 2,000 collegiate career points, making him one of only six players in Big Ten Conference history to achieve this milestone. Edey also broke the Purdue career record for rebounds and points, surpassing Joe Barry Carroll and Rick Mount, respectively.
Edey's impact extended beyond his individual accomplishments. During his time at Purdue, the team achieved significant success. They became the first Big Ten team to be ranked No. 1 in three straight seasons and maintained a top-five ranking in the AP poll for 37 consecutive weeks, the longest streak in the Big Ten in almost 50 years. Purdue also went undefeated at Mackey Arena during Edey's time, carrying a 17-game home win streak into the next season.
Edey's leadership and talent helped Purdue advance in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four for the first time in over 40 years. His performance in the tournament was exceptional, earning him recognition as the NCAA Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player and a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team.
Edey's impact on the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team is undeniable. He led the team to new heights, breaking individual and team records, and solidifying his place as one of the most impactful players in the program's history.
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Purdue's 1980 Final Four appearance
Purdue University has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with 35 appearances and an overall record of 48-34. The university, founded in 1869 and located in West Lafayette, Indiana, has a long tradition of basketball excellence.
One of the most memorable moments in Purdue's basketball history was their 1980 Final Four appearance. It has been over 40 years since that magical run, and it marked the last time Purdue advanced so far in the tournament. Led by center Joe Barry Carroll, a future No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, the Boilermakers of Purdue had a remarkable season.
They defeated La Salle, St. John's, Indiana, and Duke to secure their spot in the Final Four. Their defensive prowess and offensive firepower were on full display as they marched towards the national semifinals. However, their journey came to an end as they suffered a heartbreaking 67-22 loss to UCLA in the national semifinals. Despite the defeat, the Boilermakers showed their resilience and determination by defeating Big Ten rival Iowa 75-68 in the third-place game.
The 1980 Final Four run by Purdue was a significant achievement and a testament to the university's basketball program. It inspired future generations of Boilermakers and solidified Purdue's place among the basketball elite. Although they fell short of the national championship, the 1980 team left a lasting legacy and set a standard of excellence for Purdue basketball.
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Purdue's 2024 season records
Purdue's 2023-24 basketball season was a historic one, with the team achieving numerous milestones and breaking several records.
Regular Season
The Purdue Boilermakers, led by head coach Matt Painter in his 19th season, played their home games at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, as members of the Big Ten Conference. The team drew an impressive average home attendance of 14,876 across 16 games.
On March 2, 2024, Purdue clinched a share of their 26th Big Ten regular-season championship with a win over Michigan State. Just three days later, they clinched the Big Ten title outright for the second consecutive year by defeating Illinois. This victory secured their second straight NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed, an impressive feat.
Purdue's regular season record was an impressive 34-5, with a conference record of 17-3 in Big Ten play. They went undefeated at Mackey Arena, carrying a 17-game home win streak into the next season, and also boasted a 26-game home non-conference win streak.
Postseason
In the Big Ten tournament, the Boilermakers defeated Michigan State in the quarterfinals before falling to Wisconsin in the semifinals.
The Boilermakers then received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, marking their ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. They defeated Grambling State and Utah State to advance, setting a new school record for most wins in a season.
Purdue's season culminated in a historic run to the Final Four, their first appearance at this stage in over 40 years, and only their third in the program's history. Led by 7-foot-4 All-American Zach Edey, who was named the unanimous National Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, the Boilermakers reached the National Championship game for the first time since 1969.
Records and Achievements
Purdue set numerous school records during the 2023-24 season, including:
- Points: 3,211
- Rebound Margin: +11.2
- Assists: 720
- Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.63
- Field Goals Made: 1,109
- Free Throws Made: 675
- Free Throw Attempts: 938
Additionally, the Boilermakers ranked highly in national and conference statistics:
- Ranked in the top five of the AP poll for 37 consecutive weeks, the longest streak in the Big Ten in almost 50 years.
- Ranked second nationally in rebound margin.
- Ranked second in the country for victories since the start of the 2021-22 season.
- Ranked third in the country for winning percentage over the last four years.
- Best winning percentage against nationally ranked teams over the last three seasons.
- Led the Big Ten Conference in overall and conference winning percentage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Purdue has been to the NCAA Tournament several times. In 2024, they reached the Final Four for the first time since 1980.
Purdue has reached the Final Four three times in its history. The first time was in 1969, the second time in 1980, and the third time in 2024.
No, Purdue has not won an NCAA basketball championship. However, they have won five national championships, with the first being in 1932.
Purdue had a successful run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, reaching the Final Four and finishing as the National Championship runner-up, losing to Connecticut.
