After Canadian Zach Edey and the No. 1 seed Purdue Boilermakers booked their spot in the NCAA March Madness Sweet 16 with a blowout win over No. 8 Utah State on Sunday, head coach Matt Painter made sure not to mince words when coming to the defence of his seven-foot-four star.

“Yeah, they just shouldn’t cover basketball,” Painter said with a laugh when asked post-game what he thinks of detractors of Edey’s game. “I think all coaches should take a test so they understand refereeing, and 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 test.”

Through two tournament games, the 21-year-old has racked up 54 points and 35 rebounds while his team has won the contests by 28 and 39 points, respectively. The Toronto native put up 23 points and 14 rebounds against Utah State — numbers that likely would have been higher had he not been taken out about eight minutes into the second half of the one-sided game. Two nights earlier, he tallied the first 30-point, 20-rebound March Madness game since 1995, in Purdue’s first-round win against Grambling State.

“If they say something so moronic as that, they should have to have a probationary status where they can’t tweet for like three months,” Painter continued in his response to the notion that Edey is only effective due to his seven-foot-four frame.

Edey’s strong start also earned him a spot amongst elite company. He is the first player since Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to put up 50 points and 35 rebounds while shooting 65 per cent through the first two games.

Painter has coached Edey through all four of the Canadian’s college seasons and knows firsthand how much of an impact the senior can have on a squad, as the pair has led the Boilermakers to a 105-28 record during their partnership. Experiencing Edey’s growth up close is likely part of why the head coach was so adamant in his defence.

“Three years ago he was a good player for us, he caused problems, he did things, but it wasn’t where he is now,” Painter said. “He’s just continued to get better. Like we go into games and like our staff always looks at me and says, what do we need to do? I said, ‘Well, Zach needs to get 20 rebounds,’ and everybody always laughs at that. But you’re not asking somebody to do something he can’t do. He can do that.

“He’s great, he’s easy to coach, he’s obviously got some great physical skills, but he’s pretty intelligent.”

Edey and the Boilermakers will have another opportunity to dispel the doubters, and prove Painter right, when they face No. 5 Gonzaga and fellow Canadian Ryan Nembhard on Friday in Sweet 16 action in Detroit. The game will be a rematch from Nov. in the Maui Invitational where Purdue won.

Purdue University’s head basketball coach, Matt Painter, recently came to the defense of his Canadian player, Zach Edey, against criticism from some fans and analysts. Edey, a 7-foot-4 center from Toronto, has been a key contributor for the Boilermakers this season, averaging 8.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Despite his impressive size and skill set, Edey has faced some criticism for his lack of mobility and defensive prowess. Some have questioned whether he is a liability on the court, especially against quicker and more athletic opponents. However, Coach Painter has been quick to defend his player, pointing out Edey’s strengths and potential for growth.

In a recent press conference, Coach Painter praised Edey’s work ethic and attitude, highlighting his willingness to learn and improve. He emphasized that Edey is still a young player with a lot of room for development, both physically and skill-wise. Painter also pointed out Edey’s unique abilities as a dominant presence in the paint, capable of altering shots and scoring in the post.

Furthermore, Coach Painter addressed the criticism of Edey’s defensive abilities, noting that the team has been working on improving his footwork and positioning on defense. He expressed confidence in Edey’s ability to continue to grow and contribute to the team’s success.

Overall, Coach Painter’s defense of Zach Edey highlights the importance of patience and support for young players as they navigate the challenges of college basketball. With the guidance and encouragement of his coach and teammates, Edey has the potential to become a valuable asset for Purdue both on and off the court.