Canadians are in the spotlight for the Sweet 16 showdown between Purdue and Gonzaga airing on TSN.
NCAA March Madness continues, and Friday’s Sweet 16 action showcases notable Canadian players on both the men’s and women’s sides, aiming to propel their teams into the Elite Eight.
Kicking off with the Midwest bracket’s top seed, Purdue, led by Zach Edey from Toronto, a two-time finalist for the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year award, they face off against No. 5 Gonzaga, featuring guard Ryan Nembhard from Aurora, Ontario.
Tune in to catch Purdue take on Gonzaga LIVE on TSN4, TSN.ca, and the TSN App, starting at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.
Purdue smoothly sailed through their initial tournament matches, securing comfortable victories against Grambling State (78-50) and Utah State (106-67), largely thanks to Edey’s standout performances.
Edey, aged 21, delivered a stellar 31-point, 20-rebound performance against Grambling State, marking the first player since 1995 to achieve over 30 points and 20 rebounds in a March Madness game. He followed up with 23 points and 14 rebounds against Utah State on Sunday.
Reflecting on their shocking elimination by No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in last year’s opening round, Edey expressed satisfaction with Purdue’s current progress but emphasized the team’s hunger for more success.
Gonzaga, the No. 5 seed in the Midwest region, presents a tougher challenge for Purdue. The Bulldogs secured impressive victories in their first two tournament games against McNeese (86-65) and Kansas (89-68).
Nembhard, recording five points, 12 assists, and five rebounds in the win over Kansas, ranks eighth nationally in men’s Division 1 play this season with 6.9 assists per game.
Edey acknowledged Nembhard’s skills, particularly his ball-handling, shooting, and playmaking abilities, emphasizing the need to limit his impact on the game.
Having played alongside Edey on Canada’s national team, Nembhard recognizes the challenge of facing his former teammate but is determined to rise to the occasion.
Purdue previously defeated Gonzaga 73-63 in November, with Edey’s dominant performance of 25 points and 14 rebounds proving pivotal in the victory.
