NCAA Basketball: Player of the Year power rankings (Edition eight)

Jan 7, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) drives to the basket as Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Shadell Millinghaus (4) defends during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 85-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 12, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) is defended by Iowa Hawkeyes forward Tyler Cook (5) during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 83-78. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue

The man named “Biggie” made his Busting Brackets Player of the Year power rankings debut last week, as he continues to dominant in the Big Ten.

Swanigan is averaging 18.4 points and 12.5 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the arc. He has been the catalyst for Purdue on offense and has been a force of nature on the boards.

Just think of it this way, Swanigan has double-doubles in nine of his last 10 games. He scored in single figures in just one game this season and has recorded single digits in rebounds in just three games. That’s absurd.

Add in the fact that Swanigan has four 20+ point, 20+ rebound games so far this season, and it’s clear that he deserves to at least check in at number five on our list.

But beyond even his individual play, Purdue is one of the two best teams in the Big Ten right now. I would say that Wisconsin is currently the best due to their experience and efficiency, but let’s not underestimate the Boilermakers. As they have proven all season and against Illinois last night, this is a legitimate contender to potentially go beyond just the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

And the main reason for that is not their guard play (although their guards have been a lot better this season). It’s because of the threat that Swanigan has become.

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