Purdue star center and defending National Player of the Year, Zach Edey, towers over almost everyone. But fans finally got a chance to see what it would look like if the 7’4” big man went up against normal-sized humans Monday in a hilarious season-opening tip-off against Samford.
Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Samford, a Division I team from Birmingham, Ala., decided to send 5’8”, 140-pound point guard Dallas Graziani into the jump circle with Edey rather than its center. The result: One of the funniest moments I’ve ever seen on a basketball court, with Edey’s 20-inch height advantage on full display.
Samford sent out 5'8 Dallas Graziana for the jump ball with 7'4 Zach Edey ????
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) November 7, 2023
(via @SamfordMBB)pic.twitter.com/bxw0m0aMsh
Samford had teased doing this in the week leading up to the game, sharing some epic preview content of Graziani practicing his leaping ability across campus and promoting the tip-off as though it was a heavyweight fight.
The Tip Heard Around The World ????#BuckyBall | #AllforSAMford pic.twitter.com/BD3ypjfA1g
— Samford Men's Basketball (@SamfordMBB) November 6, 2023
In the end, Graziani decided not to jump for the tip, simply conceding the opening possession to Purdue but producing a viral moment in the process. And it was all downhill for the Bulldogs from there, with Purdue winning in blowout fashion, 98–45.
But if nothing else, it made an otherwise-forgettable game quite memorable.
The best sport. https://t.co/vUi6PFJrAH
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) November 6, 2023
Imagine watching the NBA over this https://t.co/FIgf75krkh
— Bennett Conlin (@BennettConlin) November 6, 2023
Oh man https://t.co/A76KgPoMkg
— Sam Stein (@samstein) November 6, 2023
Hello? Yes is this @TIME magazine? I have a late nomination for your photos of the year collection https://t.co/CPp103yLIX
— Theater In College Hoops (@CBBTheater) November 6, 2023
We've done it! Funniest picture of the season, hands down https://t.co/yUjPxPF3Qo
— Peter (@88pjs) November 6, 2023
Not photoshopped https://t.co/Yy2Tq7WUhY
— Nick Loucks (@Nicks2Cents) November 6, 2023
