Both Connecticut and Purdue Are Heavy “Faves” To Reach The National Final

Yesterday, after Purdue advanced to their third national semi, denying Tennessee its first, incredible upstart, North Carolina State reached its fourth, winning its 9th straight “must” game, upsetting heavy favorite, Duke.

The national semis have two games (also on a 9/11, Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill began their historic communications) with even larger favorites, Purdue by 9 plus vs N.C. State and defending champion, Connecticut (-11 plus) vs Alabama.

Purdue was “bumped” by U.C.L.A. in both their previous national semis appearances, the last of 3 Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul Jabbar) teams “final rounding” Rick Mount and Purdue in ’69 and the Kiki Vandeweghe led, eventual tournie runner-up to Darrell Griffith and Louisville , team “semi-ing” them in ’80.

N.C. State in its fourth national semi, won the title in both ’74 and ’83 and under Everett Case were semi-d out of the 8 team, 1950 tournament, eventually won by The City College Of New York.

Zach Edey, the 7 foot-4 inch Purdue center, pictured above, hit for 40 points in the Purdue win vs Tennessee yesterday.

The N.C. State ’74 title team had a 7 foot 4 inch center, named Tom Burleson, who played very well in the tournament.