Best weekend ever

Quite the college hoops weekend. It was so jammed packed, today’s Daily is going to push the gmail size limit. If your email gets clipped, you’ll be able to read the entire post here.

Let's get to it.

1. How do you solve a problem like Purdue?

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 3 Purdue had everything needed for a Game of the Year. The AP rankings. The gaudy records. Top 5 teams according to just about every computer metric. And the reigning NPOY in Zach Edey.

And somehow, Saturday lived up to that billing.

Purdue’s 92-84 win in Indianapolis was a breathtaking showcase of shot-making, adjustments, individual stardom, and even some defense. At least in the second half.

The Wildcats (8-1) entered the game unbeaten and perhaps as the sport’s most balanced offense, with five starters averaging in double figures. They were marvelous in the first half, hitting 17-of-30 shots (56.7%) and were 3-of-4 from deep. They pushed the pace, forced Purdue to play away from Edey (he took just 4 shots in that half, and looked like a team capable of staying unbeaten.

Except Purdue, somehow, was even better. The Boilermakers (10-1) hit 21-of-37 FGs, had just five turnovers, and saw Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer combined for 32 of their 49 first-half points on 19 shots. Stopping Zach Edey is one thing. But when that duo also scores, it’s near-impossible situation for any team to solve.

So what do you do? You try something you’ve never done before.

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