NCAA Basketball: 10 teams most likely to win 2022 NCAA Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: (L-R) MaCio Teague #31, Jackson Moffatt #13, Jared Butler #12, Matthew Mayer #24 and Mark Paterson #35 of the Baylor Bears dance on the court after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Jaden Ivey Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

6. Purdue Boilermakers

Similarly to UCLA, Purdue entered the season with lofty expectations and hasn’t been able to maximize them yet. But this team is still very dangerous as a No. 3 seed entering the NCAA Tournament.

The Boilermakers have one of the most effortless scorers and playmakers in the sport in Jaden Ivey, who averaged 17.4 points and 3.5 assists per game this season. His emergence this season has been the biggest factor behind the success of Matt Painter’s team.

Purdue has plenty of other threats to turn to at a moment’s notice. While Zach Edey and Trevion Williams don’t co-exist much, they’ve each proved to be dominant big men in their limited minutes. Sasha Stefanovic isn’t at his three-point shooting apex, but can still lock-in from distance for big shots; Purdue is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country.

The Boilermakers have a tricky First Round game against Yale and their star, Azar Swain, who could definitely put a scare into Purdue. Things could get easier from there, as Purdue will have the winner of an underwhelming Texas team and a Virginia Tech team that may have missed the Big Dance if not for an ACC Tournament title. Kentucky is in the same half of the region as Purdue.

Purdue has never won a championship in the NCAA Tournament-era. They haven’t even made the Final Four since 1980. With a veteran core in place – one that may break apart after the year – this is Purdue’s best shot at a title in a long time. They’ll want to seize it.

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