Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Biggest winners and losers from Week 1 of 2023-24 season

By Jerran Anderson

Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) drives to the basket during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Rutgers Scarlet Knights won 62-50.Ruum030923 Am9069
Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) drives to the basket during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Rutgers Scarlet Knights won 62-50.Ruum030923 Am9069 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

Winners: Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers aren’t going anywhere with Zach Edey running the show. Through their first two games, the Boilermakers have allowed 51.0 ppg, good for 18th currently across all of college basketball. They’ve seen a balanced scoring attack with 12 players recording at least three points or more per game behind the exploits of Edey in the frontcourt.

Edey is averaging 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.5 bpg and 2.5 apg on 71.4 percent shooting from the field through their first two victories of the season. He’s shown no signs of slowing down in his bid to win Big Ten Player of the Year and then some as a leader on the hardwood.

Graduate transfer Lance Jones has fit right in so far, averaging 10.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.5 spg on 47.4 percent shooting from the field. He’s another veteran presence who will be looked upon to take the scoring load off of Edey this season and he’s played his part so far in the backcourt.

After averaging just 4.4 assists per contest as a freshman, sophomore Braden Smith is posting 9.0 apg along with 11.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 spg on 55.6 shooting from deep. He looks ready to lead the Purdue backcourt behind Zach Edey’s production in the painted area.

Home/Big Ten