Purdue Basketball: Reactions to Boilermakers ranked 14th in Preseason AP Poll

Monday was a particularly exciting day in the world of college hoops, with the release of the first Associated Press poll of the 2024-25 season and the release of preseason metrics.

The Purdue Boilermakers, coming off a Final Four run, start out at 14th in the AP poll. Purdue is the highest-ranked team in the Big Ten, with just four teams from the conference in the top 25.

Overall, 14th does not sound far off for what Purdue is, considering they have the tall task of replacing Zach Edey. However, it helps to have a returning point guard in Braden Smith to turn that corner. According to Evanmiya.com, Smith grades as the second-best player in the country, behind Johni Broome.

The Boilers earned respect from AP voters and several computer models. Kenpom's initial metrics release ranked Purdue 10th nationally and first in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers claimed the nation's fourth-best offense and 21st-best defense in those rankings.

These numbers grade out very well in a Big Ten that features no teams outside the top 75, an impressive feat for a conference of 18 teams. Purdue holds claim to the top offense and second best defense per Kenpom with only Maryland ranking ahead of them defensively.

Kenpom isn't the only metrics site to put out preseason rankings. Evanmiya.com also holds the Boilermakers in high regard. Evan Miyakawa's system grades Purdue as 11th best in the country and first in the Big Ten.

Purdue has a familiar foe hot on their heels in Miyakawa's system, as the Indiana Hoosiers are slotted just six spots below them at 17. Varying greatly from Kenpom, who has the Hoosiers at 39, Miyakawa's system and the AP voters both agree on Indiana at 17.

Overall Purdue gained some significant respect, some of which is surely due to Coach Matt Painter's quickly growing track record. According to the court of public opinion, the Boilers won't be going anywhere any time soon.