Purdue began the 2023-24 men’s basketball season against Samford on Monday night. The game was a mismatch right from the tipoff.
Zach Edey, a 7-foot-4 center and the reigning National Player of the Year, lined up for the opening tip at Mackey Arena. Samford countered with 5-foot-8 guard Dallas Graziani.
To nobody’s surprise, Purdue gained the opening possession. Graziani didn’t even jump. Here’s a look at the tipoff:
It was going to be A STRETCH for Samford! But @zach_edey wins the tip for @BoilerBall against @SamfordMBB 😤 💪 pic.twitter.com/2qyQeEzUEl
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 6, 2023
In preparation for its season-opening matchup, Samford posted multiple videos preparing Graziani for the David vs. Goliath moment.
One episode shows head coach Bucky McMillan measuring Graziani on a scale, with a sticker reading “Zach Edey” close to the ceiling.
“It’s not about his height. It’s about his heart,” McMillan said as Graziani fell from a pull-up bar.
Hangin’ out with @dallas_graziani 🤙#BuckyBall | #AlllForSAMford pic.twitter.com/bI4YNURXkx
— Samford Men’s Basketball (@SamfordMBB) November 3, 2023
The series concludes with a passionate pep talk from McMillan claiming that Edey wants to “humiliate you” and “squash you like a bug.” A fired-up Graziani wins jump balls against multiple opponents, and everyone celebrates when he bests 7-foot center Zach Loveday.
And now in the final episode, @dallas_graziani is ready 👊#BuckyBall | #AllforSAMford pic.twitter.com/Gw9aHZRpY3
— Samford Men’s Basketball (@SamfordMBB) November 5, 2023
Samford, a Southern Conference school that hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2000, knew it was a colossal underdog against Purdue. The Bulldogs had fun embracing the role.
Unfortunately for Samford, the game didn’t get any more evenly matched after the tipoff. Purdue stormed to a 51-17 halftime lead by making nine three-pointers and forcing 13 turnovers.
Edey has leveraged his size to notch a double-double with four blocks. The Boilermakers began the final half on a 21-7 run.
While Samford took a jovial approach, Purdue probably isn’t in a playful mood after becoming just the second No. 1 seed to ever lose in the tournament’s opening round. With Edey back for his senior season, the Big Ten program begins the season ranked No. 3 as a prominent championship contender.