Purdue Boilermakers (Overall: 25-7, Conf: 14-4)
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Team Strengths
Purdue is inside the top 25 in both adjusted defensive efficiency and adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom.com. More importantly, this team is centered on a pair of intimidating interior threats in Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas.
Swanigan has undoubtedly been the Boilermakers’ focal point, their best player and likely the Big Ten’s Player of the Year. He’s averaging a double-double this season with 18.7 points and 12.6 rebounds, including four 20-20 performances. And surrounding him are four other capable scorers and sharp shooters in Vince Edwards (12.3), Carsen Edwards (10.2), Dakota Mathias (10.1) and the already-mentioned Haas (12.6).
The Boilermakers are pegged at +3,000 to win the national tournament.
Team Weaknesses
There are still some holes to fix for Purdue. Yes, the offense averages at least 80 points per game and the defense can holds its ground against any opponent. But there are nights when the Boilermakers’ elite shooting (40.6 3P%) disappears, which is a reason for most of their losses (6) this season. They need to figure out how to survive during times like that. If not, they should find themselves exiting in either the first or second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight year.
Team Statistics (from TeamRankings.com)
| Category | Stat | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 80.5 | #29 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 38.1 | #45 |
| Blocks Per Game | 2.5 | #271 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 40.1 | #6 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 77.0 | #16 |
Starting Lineup
| Position | Name | PPG |
|---|---|---|
| F | Vince Edwards | 12.3 |
| F | Caleb Swanigan | 18.7 |
| F | Ryan Cline |
5.7 |
| G | Dakota Mathias |
10.1 |
| G | P.J. Thompson | 7.3 |
Writer’s Prediction
Purdue (+3,000) makes it to the Sweet 16.
Create a betting account now and place your bets already for March Madness 2017.
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