NCAA Basketball: Duke, Michigan State fall in latest top 25 power ranking

1. Purdue (2-0)

It doesn’t take rocket science to know that Purdue has both big expectations for this season and a chip on their shoulder. That upset at the hands of 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson still stings nearly eight months later, but was certainly sullied by the return of national player of the year Zach Edey and a pair of elite sophomore guards in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. These three will show us how far Purdue can go this season.

Opening night was a laugher, building an enormous halftime lead before securing a 98-45 win against Samford. The Boilermakers didn’t need much from their stars but got 16 points and 12 rebounds from Edey and 12-point outings from both starting guards. They played Morehead State a little closer a few days later but pulled away all the same, getting an 87-57 win over those Eagles. Edey’s 18 points and 8 rebounds were a solid showing while newcomer Lance Jones put up 15 points as well.

Purdue can win the national championship, but last season showed us that they can also be tumbled surprisingly early in the Big Dance. However, we’re still in early November and are weeks and weeks away from those kinds of questions. The Boilermakers took care of business in week one and get a very winnable matchup against Xavier at home to keep up the hot start.

Thus completes the season’s first top 25 rankings and our deep dive into those teams; which of these will continue to assert themselves in the weeks ahead?