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NCAA Basketball: UConn, Purdue rise on top 25 power ranking after Feast Week

By Joey Loose

Nov 25, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Moda Center. Purdue won the game 84-66. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Moda Center. Purdue won the game 84-66. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Purdue (6-0)

Purdue opened this season in decent form, winning with defense against a couple of mid-majors before a solid effort against Marquette a week and a half ago. This past week they were in Portland for the Phil Knight Legacy and turned things up to another level.

The Boilermakers got off to a solid start on Thursday with an 80-68 win over a decent West Virginia squad, getting 24 points and 12 rebounds from big man Zach Edey. The following evening, Purdue got an incredibly important win, upending #6 Gonzaga 84-66 in the semifinals. Edey (23 points) was magnificent again while 14-point efforts from Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith helped pave the way to the win. On Sunday afternoon, the Boilermakers got their second major win over the week, winning 75-56 over #8 Duke to win the championship. Edey finished his week with another outstanding effort (21 points, 12 rebounds) while Loyer hit four 3-pointers and had 18 points in the win.

Any week where anybody beats both Duke and Gonzaga by at least 18 points is worthy of a lot of praise. Purdue looks real. Edey is a major factor down low and there are some pesky options all over the court for these Boilermakers. They made a lot of waves in Portland and now look like the potential favorite in a jam-packed Big Ten. They’ll play at Florida State for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge before a home date with Minnesota; will they have any trouble with either of those games?

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