Can Zach Edey Inspire Purdue Back to Their Best? Injury Report, Starting Lineup and Prediction vs Utah State

While a few top seeds have already been eliminated from March Madness, the favorites have gone through relatively unscathed. With the second round commencing, one of the most intriguing battles will see Zach Edey’s Purdue Boilermakers (1) and Utah State Aggies (8) against each other. The two teams have reached this stage after ruling their regular seasons but losing in the conference semifinals. While these few facts may be similar for them, the game might seem a little tilted with Purdue being everyone’s favorite. However, the Aggies have a new coach, Danny Sprinkle, who has brought some impressive changes to the team’s overview.

While he may have brought Utah State to the second round of the NCAA DI men’s basketball tournament after 23 years, has he built them strong enough to square off against the No. 1 seed and also win? Let us find out what their respective rosters look like this season.

Injury report and starting lineup for Purdue Boilermakers and the Aggies

Fortunately for the Boilermakers, they have not had any serious injury scare in the entire 2023-24 campaign. While Braden Smith did pull his left knee against Michigan State, he returned to the floor that very night to finish what he started. Entering March Madness, there was no wounded athlete with Purdue and that has remained the case so far.

Let us look at the potential starting lineups for both the teams that have kept their jerseys in high spirits. At Utah State’s side, we will have Great Osobor starting the game in the backcourt. Along with him should be Ian Martinez, Darius Brown II, Mason Falslev, and Josh Uduje. Their sophomore center Isaac Johnson may also enter early in the game.

However, on the other end, Utah State has been without its senior forward Max Agbonkpolo for quite some time now. In the first ten games, he did manage to bring some decent averages for the team but he had to miss the entire season from there onwards. Nevertheless, the Aggies have found their balance without the seasoned forward and made it to the Round of 32 for the first time since 2001.

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On the other hand, the towering giant Zach Edey will lead the Boilermakers. Braden Smith, Lance Jones, Fletcher Loyer, and Mason Gillis can all join the impactful center in the starting lineup to potentially take Purdue to the next phase.

What does the game horoscope side with?

Multiple sources and a grand history of the game take Purdue’s side in this particular matchup. Nonetheless, Isaac Johnson may keep Edey away from the rim, reducing the offensive front of Purdue immensely. Moreover, Great Osobor, being one of the best rebounders in the nation, will additionally enhance the defense for the Aggies.

However, it will be quite challenging for them to take the reins from Edey and the Boilermakers. Purdue is a projected favorite and boasts one of the top players in the nation on their roster. Whether Utah State wins or not this year, it is worth appreciating how they have performed so far with their new coach. At the same time, the Boilermakers’ victory also be worth celebrating as they try to correct their previous year’s display.

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