Morton part of ride to Final Four
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Butler graduate and Purdue senior Ethan Morton has primarily been a spectator during the Boilermakers’ run to the Final Four.
But he’s liking what he’s seeing.
“We’re playing at a pretty high level right now,” the 6-foot-7 guard said. “Hopefully, we have enough left to finish the job.”
Purdue, a No. 1 seed, takes on No. 11 seed North Carolina State in the first national semifinal at 6:09 p.m. Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The Wolfpack have won nine consecutive postseason games, including five wins in five days during the ACC tournament to even qualify for the NCAA tourney.
“They are playing great basketball. Records don’t matter. All four teams have earned their way here,” Morton said
Morton has picked up three assists in limited minutes during the NCAA Tournament. He did not see any time on the floor at all in the Boilermakers’ 72-66 win over Tennessee in the Elite Eight. Zach Edey, the team’s 7-foot-4 center, scored a career-high 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in that game.
Edey also put together games of 23 points and 14 rebounds against Utah State, 27 points and 14 boards against Gonzaga, 30 points and 21 rebounds against Grambling in this year’s NCAA tourney.
“He just keeps getting better,” Morton said of Edey. “Zach is an amazing talent. With his athleticism, he makes moves on the court like someone his size isn’t supposed to be able to do.
“Zach and Jaden (Ivey) were part of the recruiting class I came to Purdue with. Jaden is playing in the NBA now (Detroit Pistons) and Zach is probably the best college basketball player in the past 30 years or so. My career hasn’t gone the way I had hoped it would.”
Morton practices with Purdue’s second team now and gets his share of time going up against the scout team, which is comprised of younger recruits.
Morton admitted he’s dealing with a “mixed bag” of emotions right now.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this. The excitement around campus has been incredible,” he said. “But, sure, I wish I was on the court more. I know I have to stay ready and I want to help us win any way I can.”
Butler High School boys basketball coach Matt Clement said Morton needs to look at his entire body of work at Purdue.
“He’s disappointed he’s not playing right now, but that can all change,” Clement said. “Someone gets in foul trouble, gets hurt or something ... I’m sure Coach (Matt) Painter would be fully confident in putting Ethan out there. He’s got experience and he’s been part of their program for a long time.
“Ethan started a lot of games as sophomore and junior for a program that’s been ranked No. 1 or close to it ever since he’s been there.”
Clement added that “75% of their offense goes through one guy (Edey) and it went through Ivey before that. I’m sure Ethan didn’t figure on walking into something like that.”
The Boilermakers flew to Arizona on Wednesday and have practices scheduled in the stadium Thursday and Friday.
“There are some player obligations involved in there, too, but they don’t concern me,” Morton said.
He did get his engineering degree from Purdue in December, however, and has another year of basketball eligibility remaining.
“He got stuck behind some guys and NIL can play a factor there. Teams are afraid to lose guys ... That’s the nature of the beast these days,” Clement said. “Ethan’s been a loyal team player. He has a lot to be proud of there.
“He has a year to play. He’s not done yet.”
