NCAA Basketball: Why Purdue is still atop the rankings
The NCAA basketball world didn’t see much of a change at the top of the rankings, mainly because Purdue is clearly that much better than everyone else.
While the Boilermakers are no longer the most dominant team in the country, they are still definitely the best team in the country. I still also believe that at least part of the reason why Purdue has been as good as they have is because of the wire-to-wire contest they had with the Nebraska basketball team earlier in the year.
NCAA basketball is different from college football because one loss doesn’t always mean a drop in the rankings.
In the case of Alabama, two wins can mean a drop instead. It helps that the Boilermakers lost to a ranked Indiana team in a close game on the road.
NCAA Basketball keeps Purdue at top of the rankings
While the Boilermakers are still at the top of the rankings this week, their second loss of the season has brought them closer to the pack. Teams like the Tennessee Volunteers are creeping ever closer to the number one ranking.
The Vols jumped two spots in the latest rankings. They also have what can only be considered schedule fodder this week in their matchup against Vanderbilt. The last time the Commodores went up against a ranked team, they lost 101-44.
Purdue on the other hand, takes on the Iowa Hawkeyes this week. A big win will solidify their standing in the top spot. A loss or even a less-than-impressive victory may seem them slide down. It wouldn’t be the first time a number-one team started sliding out of the top spot long after a loss.
Zach Edey drives the Purdue bus
The reason why the Boilermakers are still ranked number one is that there simply isn’t a team that is obviously better than them, and that’s because there’s only one Zach Edey. The center is not just insanely tall but has also found a way to parlay his talent into crazy stats.
Edey is averaging 22.4 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. He’s shooting over 60 percent from the field. As long as he keeps rolling, Purdue will keep winning. And at this point, we’re just a few weeks away from Purdue being ranked at the top and the overall Top Seed once March Madness really ramps up.
The NCAA basketball world is all looking up at Purdue at the moment and it doesn’t appear that’s going to change anytime soon.