Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Wisconsin and Nebraska make gains after start to league play

By Austin Walther

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 1: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers drives the ball to the basket as Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines defends during the first half of the game at Crisler Center on December 1, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Purdue 76-57. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 1: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers drives the ball to the basket as Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines defends during the first half of the game at Crisler Center on December 1, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Purdue 76-57. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

7. Purdue Boilermakers (5-3)

Previous rank: 6

Number seven in the Big Ten isn’t bad. Last season it was. But this year will be a team that makes the Tournament. The reason that Purdue fell one spot is that their best win has been Davidson. They lost a tough one to Virginia Tech in Charleston. The Boilermakers drew Florida state in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and lost by one on the road. It continued to be brutal with Michigan in Ann Arbor. It’s been a rough go around for Purdue lately.

Purdue fell out of the rankings for the first time this season. They had to go up against some really good opponents which led to the fallout. Matt Painter will return home and take on Maryland. As stated in the Maryland slide, this is a really important match up for both teams. They’re in the similar boat and it will be really exciting to see who wants a big conference win early in the season.

The last two games, it’s only been Carsen Edwards and Ryan Cline. Edwards could run away with Big Ten Player of the Year. He’s averaging over 24 points per game, three boards and four assists. Cline splits the role of floor general and consistent scorer. Both have hit almost 30 three-pointers apiece this year. Evan Boudreaux is a transfer from Dartmouth and could be Big Ten sixth man of the year. He’s averaging over 10 points and almost six boards.

The Boilermakers haven’t found a reliable third scorer in the starting lineup. Matt Haarms shot blocking isn’t what it was last year. It’s hard to have other scorers over six per game when Edwards and Cline put up quite a bit, but they can’t continue to rely on just two guys. But on the other hand, Edwards will carry this team pretty far because he’s a great talent.

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