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NCAA Basketball: Ranking of the only 12 teams that can win a national title in 2024-25

By Tristan Freeman

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats and Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats and Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl shake hands before the game as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. / Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
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8. Purdue Boilermakers - 8-2 (1-1)

Purdue doesn’t have former 2-time National Player of the Year big man Zach Edey, and is even in this position is a small miracle. Already, the team has wins over Ole Miss, Maryland, NC State, and Alabama, with just road setbacks to Penn State and Marquette to this point.

What’s unsurprising is the veteran backcourt duo of Fletcher Loyer (13.7 ppg) and Braden Smith leading the way. Smith is one of the best point guards in all of NCAA Basketball, averaging just under nine assists a night. But the breakout of forward Trey Kaufman-Renn has been a big surprise, leading the team with 18.9 ppg and 6.7 rpg.

This trio alone will have Purdue in the mix. But is there anyone else they can trust in big games? They’ve gotten production from Myles Colvin, CJ Cox, and Camden Heide in specific games, but overall, they’ve been inconsistent. In March, that could lead to their downfall.

We’ll see if the early season-ending injury to center Daniel Jacobsen will be too much for them to overcome, as Kaufman-Renn can’t play all 40 minutes inside. If someone else can become a key piece, then Purdue’s odds of winning it all will improve.

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