Purdue, Zach Edey top NC State, reach NCAA championship game - ESPN

GLENDALE, Arizona — After Saturday's 63-50 win over NC State in the Final Four at State Farm Stadium on Saturday, senior forward Mason Gillis sported a U-shaped scar on his forehead.

He could not identify the culprit.

«The scar? No idea,» said Gillis, who finished with eight points. «Somebody scratched me.»

It had been that kind of a game for the Boilermakers. There were too many turnovers and missed shots. But NC State couldn't find the rim, either, due to a renewed vigor on defense by Purdue in the second half. And just like that: a Boilermakers squad that hit enough 3-pointers to sway the game (10-for-25) and relied on another outstanding effort by Zach Edey, the reigning Wooden Award winner, elevated itself to Monday's national championship.

«Just getting a win without any of the particulars is worth it, right? To be able to advance,» said Matt Painter, who has led Purdue to its first national title game since 1969. «I always talk about that, trying to win a Big Ten championship. Everybody wants to talk about winning it. I said, 'Man, you got to get yourself in position before you can win one.' It's like winning a national championship. You can talk all you want, but if you're not going to play on Monday, you don't have a chance.

»Obviously, we put ourselves in a position to win one. You've got to give our guys credit. They've been able to battle back. They've also been able to handle a lot of adversity."

Yet, the Purdue locker room after the game wreaked of humility that belied the moment. There were no cheers. Or fistpumps. Just a bunch of young folks who rested long enough to catch their breaths — but had not yet completely exhaled.

A year after last season's loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the