NCAA Tournament 2019: Reranking the teams remaining in the Sweet 16

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 and the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate after their win against the Baylor Bears in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 23: Edwards of the Boilermakers waves. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

8. Purdue Boilermakers

Results: Wins over Old Dominion (61-48) and Villanova (87-61)

Is this the year that Purdue finally breaks through? The Boilermakers have been one of the top teams in the Big Ten for the last several years but they have seemingly never been able to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. For reference, the program has lost each of its last four Sweet 16 games within the last 10 years. They have not reached the Elite Eight since 2000 and haven’t been to the Final Four since 1980.

This season, though, looks very special.

With Carsen Edwards leading the way, Purdue always has a superstar on the court that they can give the ball to. A guaranteed All-American, Edwards is one of the best scorers remaining in the tournament and he can go off on any given night. In fact, he showed this in the second round when he dropped 42 points on the defending national champions. He is clearly the most important member of the team but his supporting cast has also been superb.

Purdue, as a team, owns the fifth-most efficient offense in the entire nation and their defense is quite respectable as well (26th). The Boilermakers might not seem like a national title favorite at this point in time but it would be a mistake to look past them. Not many teams have players necessary to shut down Edwards as well as compete on the glass with players like Trevion Williams and Matt Haarms.

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