NCAA Basketball: Arizona, Iowa State, Houston rise in latest top 25 power rankings

2. Purdue (22-2)

Each passing week seems to confirm that Purdue is among the very best of teams in the nation this season. Those two losses came in tough road environments against Northwestern and Nebraska and every team has a few bad days after all. The Boilermakers have cast aside any doubts after last season’s disappointment and did that in style this week.

Last Sunday they averted any doubts about playing on the road, really delivering in a 75-69 win at Wisconsin. Lance Jones scored 20 points, Braden Smith added 19 points, and Zach Edey had 18 points and 13 rebounds. Saturday felt even better as the Boilermakers got a 79-59 win at home over rival Indiana. Edey had yet another electric performance with 26 points and 13 rebounds while Smith added 19 points and 9 rebounds in another impressive team win.

What’s stopping Purdue this season? Edey is playing even better than last year and the roster around him is more experienced. This team has played elite offense in nearly every game this season and have looked outstanding in the Big Ten, now 11-2 and with quite the lead. Their only game in the next seven days is at home against Minnesota, leaving the Boilermakers to sit back and watch their lead potentially grow even wider.