NCAA Basketball: Ranking the Sweet 16 teams in 2022 NCAA Tournament
By Joey Loose
8. Purdue (#3 seed)
It’s been over forty years since Purdue made the Final Four but all season long this has been a team that looks like it can break that long drought. The Boilermakers have played some impressive basketball, especially when it’s mattered most this past week. While they didn’t come away with either the regular season or tournament title from the Big Ten, they’ve certainly proved they were the conference’s best team, outlasting Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin and making this Sweet Sixteen.
The Boilermakers had limited drama in their first game, taking care of 14-seed Yale in a 78-56 victory. Jaden Ivey had 22 points in that victory. They were certainly challenged more by 6-seed Texas on Sunday night, but Purdue again prevailed despite a late charge by the Longhorns. Trevion Williams’ 22 points were key, while Ivey had 18, talented center Zach Edey had a double-double, and the Boilermakers feasted from the charity stripe.
Purdue has one of the best offenses in the nation and they’ve certainly shown it off here in the Tournament. There’s talent all over the floor, and there’s more than just the players previously mentioned. Sasha Stefanovic is an underrated sharpshooter while Mason Gillis has been dynamic and dependable. Fortune smiles on the Boilermakers as they’ll face a Cinderella 15-seed in Saint Peter’s, meaning they’ll be heavy favorites for an Elite Eight date.