Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

2. Purdue Boilermakers

2023-24 season record: 34-5 (17-3 Big Ten)

The 34 wins (and 17 Big Ten wins) set a program record and the Boilermakers were so close to getting its first-ever national title. But did they blow their best opportunity to do so? They lost a few players, including Mason Gillis and Ethan Morton to the transfer portal and starter Lance Jones to the pro ranks. But the biggest and obvious loss is the 2-time National Player of the Year big man Zach Edey, who led the nation with 25.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg.

Edey is off to the NBA, which leaves the simple question; how much of a dropoff will Purdue have both nationally and in Big Ten Basketball? It might not be that much, as they return one of the best backcourts in the sport. Braden Smith (12.0 ppg and 7.5 apg) was one of the top passers in the country, while Fletcher Loyer (10.3 ppg) was in double figures as well.

Without Edey, look for both of them to take larger roles in the offense. That includes the remaining frontcourt pieces, including Trey Kaufmann-Renn, Caleb Furst, and Will Berg. Myles Colvin and Camden Heide showed flashes as freshmen and could be breakout candidates.

The Boilermakers haven’t added a transfer and they might not since the roster is full. They have a 6-man incoming freshman class, led by four-star guard prospect, Kanon Catchings. We’ll have to wait to see how the post-Edey era looks but on paper, there is still enough talent for them to be viable in the conference.