Zach Edey can’t help but laugh as DJ Burns ‘cracks jokes’ and ‘talks nonstop’ in his ear during crucial Final Four clash
The two biggest stars in this year’s Final Four are having a ton of fun.
The first game of Saturday’s March Madness action featured the Cinderella team of this year’s tournament, the No. 11 seed NC State Wolfpack, taking on the No. 1 seed Purdue Boilermakers.
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Burns forced a laugh out of Edey in the first halfCredit: X@krystenpeekThe contest pitted fan favourites Zach Edey and DJ Burns against one another – although it seems it’s all love between the pair.
During the first half of the game at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Yahoo’s Krysten Peek reported that Burns was constantly ‘cracking jokes’ to Edey between plays.
Viral footage showed 7ft 4in Edey cracking up at something Burns said to him and fans were loving it.
“They’re having a great time, as they should. Burns is such a joy,” said one fan.
READ MORE NCAA”How can you not love that guy!” added another.
Purdue led by as many as 11 points in the first half but the Wolfpack managed to fight back to make it 35-29 at the interval.
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The Wolfpack star was reportedly cracking jokes nonstopCredit: X@krystenpeekBoilermarkers big man Edey had 14 points and eight rebounds at the break while Burns found himself in foul trouble.
The NC State star picked up two early fouls meaning he only played limited minutes in the first 20 minutes.
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When he was on the court he certainly seemed to be enjoying the match-up with Edey.
The 6ft 9in, 275 lbs college basketball hero has become a sensation during March Madness this year, gaining legions of new fans with his joyous nature and throwback style of play.
He has also been at the heart of No. 11 seed NC State’s Cinderella run to the Final Four at the Big Dance.
The fifth-year big man led the Wolfpack to victory over the No. 4 seed Duke Blue Devils last time out, recording 29 points, four rebounds and three assists in the 76-64 win.
Edey, meanwhile, is the two-time National Player of the Year and scored a career-high 40 points and 16 rebounds in the Boilermakers’ 72-66 win over Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
NC State are into the Final Four for the first time since winning the 1983 national championship.
Burns, who is being eyed up by NFL scouts and finished with eight points, couldn’t help overcome the halftime deficit as Purdue secured a comfortable 63-50 victory.
7ft 4in Edey finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and surpassed David Robinson and Larry Bird in an all-time March Madness stat.
After the game, he spoke about coming up against Burns.
“(DJ Burns) is a great player,” Edey told reporters,
“He made some tough shots. He had one heck of a run here and he’s a big part of it.
“We knew we had to really walk in on him, focus on him, gameplan and do some stuff to kind of make him uncomfortable.
“And I think we did a good job sticking to that game plan today.”
He will face the winner of No.1 UCon and the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in Monday’s national title game.
Read More on talkSPORTDJ Burns has been in Zach Edey’s ear since the start of the game and talking nonstop. Cracking jokes during a dead ball and making Edey laugh 😂 pic.twitter.com/w9TVIILHsu
— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) April 6, 2024
