Purdue coach Matt Painter slams critics who claim 7ft 4ins star center Zach Edey ‘is just tall’ after March Madness win against Utah State: ‘They shouldn’t cover basketball’

Purdue head coach Matt Painter has called out critics of star center Zach Edey for claiming “they shouldn’t be covering basketball” following the team’s second-round win against Utah State.

The 53-year-old Painter, who is in his 19th season in charge of the Boilermakers, was asked by a university for his opinion of “people who cover the game” and said that Edey, who is 7 feet tall, ” is just long’. basketball reporter after Sunday’s 106-67 win in Indianapolis.

“What would you say to the people who say that, who just look at size…?” the journalist followed.

In a deadpan tone, Painter said before answering the question, “Yeah… they just shouldn’t cover basketball,” as others at the press conference then started laughing during the press conference.

“Yeah, you know…” Schilder added, after nodding his head in front of reporters, “And so like you went to school and learned things or whatever, but we all don’t like every class we’re in, right?

Edey – a 7-foot-4 center for the Boilermakers – had 23 points and 14 rebounds against Utah State

‘It’s a kind of unnecessary evil. It’s like going to work…

“Like you don’t like everyone you work with, or you don’t like certain parts of your job, and you know, it’s hard, right? You have to be able to deal with certain things that are difficult and that’s why I think everyone should take a test to see if they know what they’re doing.

‘For example, I think that all coaches should take a test so that they understand the refereeing profession. And I think all referees should take a test so they understand coaching. And I think all journalists should be able to take a basketball quiz or a test, or anyone who tweets should be able to do that.

Edey has three career games with 30 points and 20 rebounds since joining Purdue in 2020

‘If they say something idiotic like that, they should be put on probation where they can’t tweet for three months. I think it’ll help society, you know? I’m just trying to weed out the fools, you know, they don’t have to gather at the local Walmart and say things that don’t make sense.”

Edey, who has three career games with 30 points and 20 rebounds in as many seasons at Purdue (the most of any Div. I player this century), scored 23 points and had 14 rebounds against Utah State on Sunday.

He was high-fived in a first-round game against Grambling State for not having teammates around him on a technical foul shot.

The No. 1 seed Purdue Boilermakers will take on the No. 5 Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on March 29. The location of the game has yet to be determined.