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Big Ten Basketball: Buy or sell Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Purdue and Wisconsin?

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) celebrates his three point shot against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) celebrates his three point shot against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten Basketball Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Purdue Boilermakers – 16-1 (5-1)

If the award for National Player of the Year was given out this weekend, it would likely go to Zach Edey. He leads the team and Big Ten with 21.9 ppg and 13.2 rpg and has been just about unstoppable one-on-one in the post. His play as an All-American has raised the ceiling for the Boilermakers this season.

The big question was going to be the backcourt after losing Jaden Ivey and several other perimeter players. Enter freshmen guards, Braden Smith, and Fletcher Loyer. They’ve been two of the biggest impact players in the country, currently the second and third scorers on the team. Loyer recently had a season-high 27 points on 6/12 from deep in a win over Nebraska.

The recipe for Purdue this season is simple. Either Edey dominates down low or passes it out to a shooter from a three. And that has worked so far, with wins over Duke, Gonzaga, and Marquette on its resume. It’s a simple strategy that also can be defended with the right opposing big man and if the guards struggle shooting from the field.

And that’s my issue with the Boilermakers. They’ve been very impressive overall but this is about who can make a run in March and relying on a pair of freshmen guards to string together great games can be fool’s gold. If Purdue has the wrong matchup and faces a veteran backcourt, I can see an early exit for them.

Sell 

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