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Purdue Basketball: Five storylines to follow for the 2017 Big Ten Tournament

By Bryce Bennett

Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) stands along the foul line during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Indiana 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) stands along the foul line during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Indiana 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Isaac Haas (44) posts up against Indiana Hoosiers center Thomas Bryant (31) at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Isaac Haas (44) posts up against Indiana Hoosiers center Thomas Bryant (31) at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2. What seed could the Boilermakers get in the NCAA Tournament?

Another interesting sub-plot to Purdue’s Big Ten Tournament experience is how their results could impact their seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

Currently, Purdue is ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll and has an RPI of 19. They have a resume that consists of five RPI top 50 wins and 15 top 100 RPI wins. These accomplishments have the Boilermakers at an average of a 4-seed, according to Bracketmatrix. Another important note is that when the committee first released its top 16, Purdue was not listed and was probably on the 5-line. Since that release, they have gone 5-1 and likely are a 4-seed.

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Could the Boilermakers rise or fall depending on their Big Ten Tournament outcome?

The answer to that is probably. Should the Boilermakers lose in their first game to Michigan/Illinois, they will likely teeter on the 4 to 5-line. The Boilermakers were a 5-seed last year and that ended with an upset against 12-seed Arkansas-Little Rock. A 4-seed is preferred.

Would one win in the Big Ten Tournament clinch a 4-seed? Hard to say, especially if similar teams in the rankings are winning in their respective conference tournaments.

How about a Big Ten Tournament championship? Would that equal a 3-seed? A theoretical 28-6 record with three additional top 50 RPI wins, a Big Ten regular season championship and Big Ten Tournament championship makes a strong case. If that scenario were to occur, the Boilermakers’ RPI would probably be between No. 10-12 — right on that 3-seed line.

Many seeding possibilities are out there for Purdue this week. The biggest factor in the team reaching its goals lie with its star player. Let’s next check out the most important storyline for the Boilermakers this conference tournament season.

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