NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early ranking of 2022 PK85 Invitational games

5. Purdue vs. West Virginia, Legacy Bracket

Neither of these teams is the sexiest brands in NCAA basketball. Both programs consistently play hard, however, and should be matched relatively well in their first-round clash in the Legacy field.

Purdue is going to look much less appealing than they did a year ago. Matt Painter’s squad lost rotation mainstay Trevion Williams and lottery selection Jaden Ivey. Sasha Stefanovic and Eric Hunter are also gone.

The Boilermakers will still be a fascinating team all season, however, as it looks to show it can build around big man Zach Edey being the focal point on both ends of the court. There’s a good chance he becomes one of the most used players in the conference for the campaign and Purdue’s fate will rest on his terrifyingly tall shoulders.

Meanwhile, we always know what to expect from Bob Huggins’ West Virginia Mountaineers. The Big 12 squad will battle hard, particularly on the defensive end, and make life as difficult as it can for its opponent.

Emmitt Matthews and Tre Mitchell should both be solid additions to the Mountaineers, who are always seemingly in the thick of the NCAA Tournament conversation. This year, they project to be right around the bubble once more.

The styles of these teams and brand behind them are not necessarily as appealing as the Dukes and North Carolinas of the world, so it may be a turn-off opportunity for the average fan. But someone who wants to see a competitive game that could have a big impact on the NCAA Tournament bubble, in the long run, could do worse.