NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season
2. team. 492. . . . Boilermakers
2022-23 season record: 29-6 (15-5 Big Ten)
Expected losses: David Jenkins
There wasn’t a clear No. 1 team this past NCAA Basketball, though a trio of teams (Houston, Alabama, Purdue) took the spot in the AP rankings most of the time. Two of those teams will have to reload their rosters for a bit, while the Boilermakers could run back just about its entire rotation.
Of course, that’s ultimately going to depend on what star Zach Edey does. The 7’4 center was the clear National Player of the Year, averaging 22.3 ppg and 12.9 rpg. He led the nation in double-doubles and had a bunch of 30+ point games. He isn’t a projected top-45 pick but with someone his size, Edey may want to start his pro career.
The Boilermakers have a pair of young guards in Fletcher Loyer and Branden Smith who combined for 20.7 ppg and 6.8 apg this season. Both have played well as freshmen and have very bright futures going forward. There are also a bunch of role players coming back, including Caleb Furst, Brandon Newman, Mason Gillis, and Ethan Morton.
Despite the first-round loss to Fairleigh Dickinson, this team, as currently constructed, is still one of the best in NCAA Basketball. And if Edey comes back, it’ll be the second straight year that the sport returns its National POY winner.