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The college basketball season began on Monday with a slew of matchups on the hardwood. One of those contests saw Purdue hosting Samford.
The opening tip provided viewers with the most hilarious of scenes.
Purdue’s Zach Edey is the NCAA’s reigning Player of the Year. The center averaged 22.3 points and 12.9 boards a night to lead the Boilermakers to a Big Ten regular season title.
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Edey opted to return to West Lafayette for one final season, making the Boilermakers a national championship threat once again.
The path to the NCAA Tournament began on Monday, with Purdue taking on Samford.
Edey, being the tallest player on the court in most cases, assumed the duty of taking that season opening tip. He squared off with the funniest of foes on that jump ball.
Standing 7′ 4″, the Boilermaker big man lined up against a 5′ 8″ Samford guard. Dallas Graziani is the shortest player on the Bulldog roster, but that didn’t stop head coach Bucky McMillan from running him onto the floor.
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Edey is nearly two whole feet taller than Graziani.
In Coach McMillan’s defense, his squad doesn’t boast a player within four inches of Edey’s height.
And the tactic actually worked! Well, sort of.
Graziani didn’t leave his feet on that jump ball attempt. Instead, he allowed Edey to win the tip without contest, then tracked the ball and trapped the Purdue recipient nearly forcing a turnover.
Unfortunately, that’s where the success would end. Purdue beat Samford 98-45 for a convincing season opening win.