How is NC State going to deal with Purdue’s 7’4 monster, Zach Edey?

Edey is a MONSTER. The sophomore is 7’4 and closing in on 300lbs and isn’t some ‘no-talent big with hands of stone.’ This kid is pretty physical and can finish around the basket. He’s currently averaging 15 points and 7 boards per game, all while shooting 74%.

So how is NC State going to guard this guy?

I mean, Dowuona is coming into his own and all, but he was getting pushed around pretty bad by Colgates Jeff Woodward, who is 6’11 and 270lbs. Woodward scored 14 points in that one. And then there was Kenny Lofton Jr, who at 6’7 and 275lbs looked like an all-star vs. State, dropping 36 (a season-high) points on Dowuona.

Ebe Dowuona is 6’11, but he’s only weighing in at 225lbs. He’s going to be giving up nearly 70lbs to Edey in this game. That’s almost an unprecedented difference between bigs, but we’re going to see how that plays out.

Keatts really has no one to throw out there to try to body Edey up, so the game plan is likely going to be, use your quickness to deny entry. That might work, but it will also allow them to go over the top (making it necessary that the Pack will have to have someone pinching down on helpside), which means if Edey can catch it and reverse the ball, the 3 will be wide open.

And let’s not forget that Zach Edey isn’t even Purdue’s only great big. They also have Trevion Williams, who is averaging 13 points and 9 boards per game. He’s more mobile and a more skilled player, but still checks in at 6’10, 255lbs ( a little more manageable for Dowuona).

This is really a pick your poison game for Keatts and NC State. They are going to be at a disadvantage somewhere. They can either pinch down and try to help in the paint, or they can let the bigs go one on one and clamp down on the shooters. Either way, State is going to have to score it like they haven’t scored it all year, all while, limiting Purdue in some way, shape or form.