Takeaways: Purdue’s win over N.C. State

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Our post-game analysis following Purdue’s Final Four win over NC State Saturday at State Farm Arena, propelling the Boilermakers into the national title game.

THE CLUTCH GENE COMES UP BIG AGAIN

This wasn’t Purdue’s shining moment offensively, but it did highlight one of the greatest intangible characteristics this team has and the single-biggest difference. not only has Purdue morphed from a below-average three-point-shooting team into an elite one, but it sure seems to make all the big ones, doesn’t it? All of ’em.

Three sequences really won this game.

• This looked like a blowout in the making for a while before Purdue’s turnovers opened the door for the Wolfpack to close within two in the final minutes of the first half. Purdue’s last possession then was a big one. With eight seconds, Fletcher Loyer‘s triple probably stung NC State as much as it buoyed Purdue.

• Mason Gillis‘ and Lance Jones‘ back to back threes at 13:39 and 12:43 of the second half pushed a six-point lead back to 12 right after the Wolfpack seemed to have a chance to make a run.

• Then, in the final five minutes, Purdue slammed the door shut with consecutive threes by Loyer and then Braden Smith — his only points of the game were the killshot.

What’s the rhyme and reason behind big-moment shooting? Hard to say, but all season, Purdue has been confident, unafraid of the moment and distinctly clutch.

It’s a big part of the reason why Purdue’s playing for a national title.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF GREAT

Ho hum, another 20 and 12 from Zach Edey, an average night by his standards.

But this was different.

Edey didn’t put up absurd numbers — and keep in mind, by his standards, 20 and 12 isn’t considered absurd — but he really passed the ball well, all four of his assists leading to threes.

The Boilermaker big man didn’t get his numbers from the foul line, much to the dismay of the college basketball idiocracy on social media. He shot only two free throws and drew only three fouls, half as many as Loyer.

But while Purdue scoring a season-low (by a mile) 63 points might not reflect it, Purdue may be better offensively when games flow and don’t stop and start constantly. Purdue shot only 10 free throws vs. NC State, same as last weekend’s win over Gonzaga.

Back to Edey and timely play. Those back-to-back Loyer-and-Smith threes that sealed the win, the first came of an Edey assist and the second after an Edey offensive rebound.

Scoring is only part of his impact portfolio. Perhaps — or perhaps not — this game changed some ill-informed perceptions of the best player in college basketball.

ON GUARD PLAY

This was Smith’s worst game of the season. Yet, Purdue won going away.

It’s always turnovers. That’s the only thing that has gotten Purdue beat this season and the only reason there was any suspense today. Once the points off turnovers dried up for NC State, it was all Purdue.

Smith generally channels things well, so expect a bounce-back on Monday, albeit against a monster of an opponent in Connecticut.

But on this night, Jones and Loyer really picked up extra weight.

Jones’ energy was really apparent tonight. His aggressiveness can cut both ways, but he did a lot of good in this game and was solid on defense against DJ Horne, who made a number of difficult shots and really picked up steam after Jones went out.

Loyer’s steadiness and confidence, as well, are really important for this team, and he does better on defense than people think. He’s a better player than anyone gives him credit for.