Matt Haarms (221-C-1997, college: BYU) is a 26 year old 221cm center from the Netherlands that is playing his third professional season and first with Zunder Palencia (Spain-Liga ACB). He played his first 2 pro seasons with the Fraport Skyliners averaging 7.4ppg, 4.5rpg, Blocks-2 (1.3bpg), FGP: 58.5%, FT: 69.4% and 7.8ppg, 4.3rpg, Blocks-3 (1.5bpg), FGP: 61.9%, FT: 77.2%. He began his basketball career wit the FIATC Joventut Badalona (Spain) U18 team and then played with Sunrise Christian Academy. He then played at Purdue from 2017-2020 playing a total of 102 games averaging 9.4ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1apg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 67.9%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 69.5% and 8.6ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 63.4% in his last 2 seasons. He played an extra year at Brigham Young University (NCAA) averaging 11.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 19.4%, FT: 80.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his ex school Purdue and their 2024 run to the NCAA final

Thanks Matt for talking to germanhoops.com. Have you remained a fan of college basketball since turning pro or has it diminished?

I still like it. It is just difficult to watch it overseas with the time difference. I stick to checking the scores and seeing how my teams are doing.

You played 3 years at Purdue and last night they lost in the NCAA final to UConn. Were you able to watch the game live or on tape in the morning? I mean it had to be an incentive just to watch Zach Edey play?

I watched the game in the morning. I had to get up early anyway. Edey is an amazing player. He is really fun to watch. Nobody can stop him. I feel like he was the best college basketball player the last 2 years.

With what kind of a feeling did you go into the final playing against the defending champs?

I thought that we could beat UConn. They were both the best 2 teams in the tournament. It was like destiny that they met in the final.

Did you have any contact with former players leading up to the final?

No not really. I was just following the games. I think everyone was just in awe. It was the first time since 1980 that Purdue was in the final.

Purdue lost 75-60. It seemed like one of those games where UConn was just a little better from start to finish. How do you summarize the end result?

I agree with you. UConn had no big run in the game, but they had a good strategy. They had the lead and then just kept adding on throughout the game. Purdue played a good game, but UConn was just a little better.

Zach Edey was a 1 man wrecking crew with 37 points and 10 rebounds. He had a great game but how much were those extra scorers missing?

I think no matter how many defenders they threw at Edey, he would just do his thing. When Purdue plays really well, it is when they have a supporting cast. UConn did a good job focusing on limiting our shots from outside. UConn was just on another level.

Edey was a beast dominating every game at March madness and even had 40 points against Tennessee. Would Purdue have had any chance without him?

I think that Purdue would still be talented without him However without him, it would be a lot tougher. They a team forces you to play a certain way then it´s hard to break it.

How special is Zach Edey. How much stock did his game give him in the NBA Draft. How high could he go now?

It has already grown this season before the tournament. He is so good now and is at another level. I think he will find a spot in the NBA and fit in really well.

Have you ever met him or played against him during the summers? If so who won a 1-1?

I met him in 2020 shortly before Covid came when he came to Purdue on a visit. He was a good guy and humble. He wasn´t being recruited the way he should have been. He made a good impression on me. I hear only good things about him.

Despite the loss how proud are you of being an ex Boliermaker?

I really proud of this team. I´m really happy for the fans, because they deserved this. They are some of the best fans in the NCAA.

Head coach Matt Painter has been there since 2005. I can imagine he won´t hang it up until he gets that title?

I don´t know what he will do, but he has been so committed to the program since the start. You can´t imagine Purdue basketball without Matt Painter.

Matt Painter is such a special coach that has reached the NCAA tournament 15 times and won 5 conference champions. How special of a coach is he?

He does such a great job. He does a great job focusing on what players do best and play around that. He is never stuck on playing one way.

How special is a guy like Braden Smith? He has 2 more years to go.

He is a fantastic player. He is still so young, but already so good. He is a special competitor. He will be one of the leaders going into the new season.

Where will the journey of the Boilmakers go in the next years. They lose Edy, Jones and Gillis to graduation.

It will be a very different team. Matt Painter is a very creative coach and will find the right mix. It will depend on what talent he brings in. You never really know what will happen until the first game.

Thanks Matt for the chat.