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

1. What will Caleb Swanigan do?

When you talk about Purdue, it usually starts and usually ends with Caleb Swanigan.

The sophomore big man has put up monster numbers this season (18 and 12) and placed himself in the conversation for National Player of the Year. The biggest storyline for Purdue this postseason is what Biggie can do next and how far can he lead the Boilermakers?

Purdue Boilermakers Basketball

The potential is there for Swanigan to have a monster conference tournament.

A re-match against Michigan will put him against a front line that got the best of Purdue the first time out. Mo Wagner nailed multiple three’s in the first half due to lackluster front court defense from the Boilermakers. Wagner was not shy about letting Swanigan know about it either. Overall, Michigan was not one of Swanigan’s better games, but he still ended up with 18 points and seven rebounds. Michigan’s lack of size and depth and a revenge factor could equal up to a big game on Friday.

Should the Boilermakers match up with Illinois, Swanigan put up 22 and 10 on the Illini in a January 17th win in West Lafayette.

The most likely match-up on Saturday will be Minnesota or Michigan State. Swanigan dominated both teams in three games this season. Against these two teams, Biggie averaged 25.6 points per game and 18 rebounds. Averaged. 

No telling what a Sunday championship match-up could bring right now, but one thing is sure, Swanigan will bring it, no matter what.

Next: Five bold predictions for the Big Ten Tournament

In 31 games this season, Caleb Swanigan put on a show for Boilermaker and college basketball fans. As the lights get brighter, expect the hard-working sophomore to raise his game. Let’s see how far he can take Purdue this postseason.