Anticipation builds for Purdue fans ahead of Final Four game

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Hoosiers all over Indiana are backing the black and gold, and that’s especially true in West Lafayette where anticipation is building ahead of Saturday’s Final Four game against NC State.

“As long as I’m by a TV, I’ll be rooting hard,” Purdue senior Grey Whitman said. “[I] promise that.”

Lines began growing outside popular campus bars like Harry’s Chocolate Shop before 7 p.m. Friday. Maybe it’s just because it’s the start of the weekend, or maybe it’s the special energy felt around town right now, drawing people out en masse.

“It’s just a really good feeling on campus,” Purdue junior Andrew Donis said. “Everyone’s super into it, even the professors.”

If you somehow haven’t heard, the Boilermakers are on fire.

“I’m actually not really into sports, but just seeing the new intensity brought back to, I guess, Purdue – it’s been really exciting to be around it,” Purdue alum Chris McMillian said.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but this seems like the year,” Whitman added.

The year to win it all and the reality seems closer than ever.

“I think it’s been really exciting to watch the growth of the team,” parent Lisa Soricone said. “My son’s a junior, so we’ve followed three seasons of the sport.”

After making it to the Final Four for the first time since 1980, Purdue students and fans are just hoping their luck doesn’t run out before they get to call themselves 2024 champions.

“I think Zach Edey’s got it. It’s going to come down to fundamentals,” Whitman said. “I think Matt Painter’s got the boys ready to go.”

Fans said they are feeling confident Purdue will send 11-seed NC State packing after the Final Four game.

“I think it’s a big win for Purdue. Double digits,” alum Jerry Leach said when asked for his prediction.

But that hasn’t always been the outcome when the Boilermakers have gone up against double-digit seeds in previous years, so others are just enjoying the ride.

“Especially after last season, it feels really good to have everybody bought into the tournament, have everybody around the country talk about Purdue in general,” Donis said. “It’s just a great time to be on campus.”