Purdue's Zach Edey, Tennessee's Dalton Knecht made history in Elite Eight battle

With both stars putting on a remarkable show, the battle between Edey and Knecht may go down as one of the best in March Madness history.

Fittingly, both were recently named Wooden Award finalists, given to the best player in college basketball. Edey won the award last season and could become the first repeat winner since Virginia's Ralph Sampson (1982 and 1983).

"Edey wasn't just good on Sunday against Tennessee. He was legendary," wrote ESPN's Myron Medcalf. "Knecht is one of the best players in America and his effort proved as much. But Edey went to a different domain. If it wasn't clear before, Edey will win his second Wooden Award. He deserves it."

However, Knecht bolstered his case in the NCAA Tournament. The 22-year-old averaged 26 points per game and shot 40% from three-point range. 

According to Tankathon, the Oklahoma City Thunder will take Knecht with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Meanwhile, Edey is trying to win his first national championship, furthering his legacy as one of the greatest players in college basketball history. 

In four seasons with the Boilermakers, he's earned first-team All-American honors twice and has scored the most points in program history (2,419).