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Bracketology: Ranking the Bracket Preview teams – Duke, Gonzaga ahead

By Lukas Harkins

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Cam Reddish #2, RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils hug in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Cam Reddish #2, RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils hug in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 09: Marquette Golden Eagles react. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 09: Marquette Golden Eagles react. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

10. Marquette Golden Eagles

Committee Ranking: No. 4 seed (No. 12 overall)

Marquette is the only team from the Bracket Preview that is rated outside of the KenPom top-20. Despite this, though, they have one thing going for them that not many teams have: this team knows how to win close games. The Golden Eagles, on the whole, have been quite inconsistent this season but they have managed to post a 20-4 record because they play tremendously well in crunch time and they have the go-to player necessary to make big plays in Markus Howard and the Hauser Brothers.

Unlike some seasons in the past, Marquette can win with both its offense and defense. Head coach Steve Wojciekowski has done an awesome job with his team so far and this could be his breakout season as the leader of the program. Coach Wojo was on the hot seat heading into this season and he certainly is not anymore. This team can win in the Big Dance…and do it a lot.

9. Purdue Boilermakers

Committee Ranking: No. 3 seed (No. 9 overall)

Two words: Carsen Edwards. That is really all you need to know if you are wondering why Purdue is ranked so high in this piece. Edwards is arguably the best scorer in the entire nation and his ability to fill up the basket makes the Boilermakers extremely dangerous. As a team, Purdue is ranked fourth in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency thanks to the play of Edwards and the superb deliberation of the offense on every possession.

Purdue is currently riding an eight-game winning streak and all of their wins have come over KenPom top-100 teams. The Boilermakers are playing at an elite level right now and they end up even higher on this list as the year continues. Given the fact that Purdue does not have to play either Michigan school for the rest of the season, they might just be the favorite to win the Big Ten right now.

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