Purdue Could Be Big Ten's Best Hope

Let’s admit it, the Big Ten is down. 

I love Big Ten basketball as much as the next guy and there is no other conference I would rather see do well in this tournament. But take a look at the matchups the Big Ten finds itself facing. 

Michigan State, who may be the country's least consistent team, finds itself in a nightmare situation should it survive its first round match-up with Temple. The Spartans will not be able to handle the inside game of Pittsburgh. 

Indiana, who may be the country's most dysfunctional team, also has a bit of a problem awaiting it in North Carolina should they be able to pick up the pieces against Arkansas.  Wisconsin, who is the class of the league, got thrown into what many consider to be the tournament’s toughest bracket, and will have to survive tough matchups with two very good teams in USC and Georgetown just to get to the Elite 8. 

That leaves Purdue, who is the conference’s most surprising and maybe least intimidating team. Purdue has looked like the best team in the conference at times this year, and at other times, has looked like the young team that it is. 

The Boilers finished 18th in the final AP poll, but only received a six seed. Purdue is not as physical a defensive presence as some of the other Big Ten teams, but it does create a lot of turnovers and can defend the 3-point shot.  

Purdue is the one team in the Big Ten who has a pretty good draw. It plays a team in Baylor who comes in struggling, losing seven of its last 12. Baylor is sometimes prone to turnovers, and lives and dies by the 3-pointer. 

Then Purdue could find itself in a match up with the weakest of the No. 3 seeds in Xavier. Xavier has struggled lately because of injuries and would be another team that Purdue matches up nicely with. If the Boilers survive that game, look for them to challenge Duke as they will have nothing to lose.

Purdue's loss in the Big Ten tournament first round may worry some. Now the Boilermakers have had time to refocus and set new goals. 

After a tough loss to Ohio State on the road in overtime, the young Boilers seemed to be upset about letting a Big Ten title get away. Hopefully they will return to the court a more determined team, and will realize that this is their chance to make up for lost opportunities.