Purdue Basketball's 2023-24 Journey: A Season of Triumph and Heartbreak

Purdue Basketball's 2023-24 Journey: A Season of Triu...

By Jocelyn Alano June 24, 2024 13:57

credit. Associated Press

2023-24 was one of Purdue Basketball's greatest seasons, filled with victories and glory and even records set. The Boilermakers season ended in a championship loss in heartwrenching fashion. Follow along on our roller coaster trip through the 2023-24 college basketball season for Boilermakers hoops and March Madness.

A Season to Remember

Purdue Basketball, 34-5, established a new standard in the history of the men's basketball program for wins in a single season. This road to the Final Four featured a team making it back beyond the national semifinals for the first time since 1980 and advancing to its first national championship game in 46 years.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zach (@zach_edey)

Statistical Triumphs

The Boilermakers set several school records, demonstrating the full breadth of their statistical prowess. Total points and shooting percentages, Purdue made its mark on the 2023-24 season. They ultimately ended the year second in the country with a 40.4% mark from behind the arc for the season.

Key People Who Made It Happen

Zach Edey | 7-foot-4 Tower of Power
From there, Zach Edey rose to stardom, breaking records and writing himself into the annals of Purdue basketball history. His consecutive Naismith National Player of the Year honors, amongst his collection of awards, made sure that he was one of the all-time great legends in the history of Purdue. Edey, of course, is the first player ever to record his sixth straight with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament.

Braden Smith: Smith's standout campaign garnered all-Big Ten recognition for himself as his name was etched into the conference's history books. His single-season assists mark at Purdue and his accolade as an All-Big Ten first-team honoree show just how critical his role was to the team's success.

Mason Gillis: 6th Man, Sharpshooter of the Year
Freshman forward Mason Gillis was also honored by the league, earning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. With such sterling 3-point shooting percentages, he was a perfect fit for the Boilermakers.

The Heartbreaking Defeat

Purdue reached the championship game to face UConn at its peak. Try as they might, the Boilermakers stood no chance against UConn's sheer rule of force, eventually falling 75-60. Zach Edey with 37pts was impressive, but not enough to win the title.

The Aftermath

Being beaten by the Huskies had a lifelong effect on the team, and they struggled for years with dashed hopes of achieving that ultimate victory. Not to mention following the "championship or bust" set by the team showed resilience and expectation that colored their path.

Looking Ahead

In the aftermath of 2023-24, Purdue Basketball finds itself at a fork in the road, one that offers an opportunity to build on what was and a moment to draw wisdom from the agony of loss. A team of indomitable spirit and considerable skill was building towards a future that sparkled with the hope of salvation and more basketball glory.
In short, Purdue Basketball 2023-24 was a marvel of another year of persistence, another year of ability, and just one more unyielding drive for perfection. They fell short of the championship, but their march was a tribute to everything that makes college basketball special and the unbreakable tradition at Purdue.