Video: NC State's DJ Burns Jr. Says He Told Zach Edey 'You Big as Hell' in Final Four
North Carolina State's DJ Burns Jr. is anything but an undersized basketball player, but even he was looking way up at Purdue's Zach Edey during Saturday's Final Four matchup in the 2024 NCAA men's tournament.
"Bro, excuse my language, you big as hell," Burns told reporters when discussing what he said to Edey when he made the Boilermakers big man laugh. "I'm like, 'yo, I'm going to figure you out.' We had a little joke moment."
While Burns had some help from 6'10" Mohamed Diarra, NC State's frontcourt could only do so much during the 63-50 loss. Edey finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks while shooting 9-of-14 from the field.
He continued his NCAA tournament dominance with a fifth double-double in five games.
In all, Edey is averaging 28.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game while shooting 65.4 percent in the Big Dance. He is the primary reason Purdue will play for a national championship on Monday, although facing the 7'2" Donovan Clingan and UConn will present a new challenge.
Edey won't tower over Clingan like he does with so many other bigs, and whoever gets the best of that matchup could take home the championship.
