No. 1 seed Purdue basketball will face 16-seed play-in winner to open 2024 NCAA tournament

Boilers fans won't have far to travel to watch their favorite team in March Madness.

Purdue basketball has earned a No. 1 Midwest Region seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament behind 7-4 senior center Zach Edey, who recently became the program's all-time leading scorer. Edey, who averages 24.3 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season, was the consensus 2023 national player of the year and appears to be headed to similar honors this year.

Other key Purdue players: Braden Smith, a finalist for the nation's top point guard (12.7 points, 45.1% 3-point shooting, 7.2 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals); Lance Jones (12.3 points, 1.4 steals); Fletcher Loyer (10.5 points, 43.8% 3s).

Purdue wants to erase the memories of recent seasons, when it has lost to double-digit seeds in tournament action. As a No. 1 seed last year, the Boilermakers lost to No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round, just the second instance of a 16 beating a 1 in tournament history.

Bilas believes: Analyst says Purdue has 'best draw of any one seed'

Who is Purdue basketball playing in the NCAA Tournament?

The winner between Wednesday's play-in game between Montana State and Grambling State

When is Purdue basketball playing in the NCAA Tournament?

7:25 p.m. ET Friday, March 22, 2024

Where is Purdue basketball playing in the NCAA Tournament?

Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

What channel is Purdue basketball on in the NCAA Tournament?

TV: TBS, with Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Bonner and Stan Van Gundy (analysis), Andy Katz (sideline reporting)

Radio: Purdue Sports Network (96.5 FM in Lafayette, 1260 AM in Indianapolis), with Rob Blackman (play-by-play) and Bobby Riddell (analysis).

Streaming: Varsity Network, ESPN+, Fubo, Paramount+, Sling

Purdue basketball schedule

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue's March Madness opponent is play-in winner in 2024 NCAA tourney