Video: Purdue's Matt Painter Defends Zach Edey Against 'Moronic' Critics After Win

Purdue men's basketball head coach Matt Painter says it is "moronic" to claim center Zach Edey was able to lead the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 solely due to his height.

Edey, who is 7-foot-4, led the Boilermakers with 23 points and 14 rebounds as No. 1 Purdue eliminated No. 8 Utah State Sunday in the second round of the 2024 NCAA tournament.

"They just shouldn't cover basketball," Painter said, when asked about critics who say Edey is "just tall" after the win.

"I just think everybody should take a test on their knowledge of what they're doing," Painter continued. "I think all coaches should take a test so they understand refereeing. I think all referees should take a test so they understand coaching. And I think all journalists should have to take a basketball quiz, or a test.

"Or anybody that Tweets, they should have to be able to do it. If they say something so moronic as that, then they should have to have a probationary status, where they can't Tweet for like three months. I think it will help society. Just try to knock out the fools, so they don't have to meet at the local Walmart and say things that don't make any sense."

Edey, the tallest player in the NCAA tournament, had already recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds by halftime of Sunday's win, marking his second straight first-half double-double.

The big man also led Purdue in scoring during the team's first-round victory over Grambling Friday, when he racked up 30 points and 21 rebounds to avoid a repeat of Purdue's first-round upset last season.

Debates over the cause of Edey's success likely don't matter to Purdue as much as the final score. Purdue is now set to face No. 5 Gonzaga Friday with a chance to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.