Perhaps more important (and more notable from an NBA standpoint) was the way Edey shut down the paint, helping hold Tennessee to just seven made 2-pointers in the half court all game. He did an outstanding job of bothering shots with his length, coming up with several impressive possessions operating out of a drop while making the Volunteers think twice about even attempting shots with him in the vicinity.
He stepped outside the paint on several occasions showing impressive mobility in sliding his feet and 7-foot- 4 frame and continued to work hard deep into the second half while playing all but 33 seconds of the 40-minute contest. Clearly battling fatigue, Edey's defensive impact did drop off somewhat in the second half, which is concerning at the NBA level. Beyond that, Edey's sheer skill-level catching and finishing out of the pick-and-roll, utilizing polished footwork and using both hands finishing inside the paint was impressive to see. He didn't receive anywhere near the same type of whistle as he usually does in Big Ten play, as Tennessee's big men were allowed to grab, hold, push and essentially foul him on every possession. His physicality and competitiveness playing through relentless contact was on display as he drew 22 free throws. He made some smart passes out of double-teams and got his teammates a number of easy baskets with his screening. In the paint, he dominated the offensive glass, as usual, being impossible to dislodge in front of the rim once he established position.
Already coming into this game a projected lottery pick, this was exactly the type of performance that could further propel him into the top 10 for one of the many teams that already has bought into the impact he'll surely make in the NBA. This effort also could go a long way in convincing the holdouts of just how impactful his tremendous size, length, strength, toughness, skill level and intensity can be at the next level. Edey has been viewed by most NBA teams ESPN has spoken with as a lock first-round pick for months now, but his standing has improved considerably with his late-blooming trajectory (he has only been playing basketball since age 15), competitiveness and the fact that he is still a young senior at age 21.
