NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: Purdue Boilermakers Can Make a March Madness Run

The Purdue Boilermakers received a No. 3 seed in this year's NCAA tournament. Although they finished the season losing their last two games, they are one of the best teams in the tournament.

With this said, they are good enough to win the whole thing, although it is unlikely to happen.

However, Purdue is going to make a run in the tournament and surprise a lot of people.

Here is why.

Experience in the Big Dance

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HOUSTON - MARCH 26: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils puts up a shot against Lewis Jackson #23, D.J. Byrd #21 and JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the south regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Reli

The Purdue Boilermakers have been here before.

The past two season they have made it to the Sweet 16. Unfortunately for the Boilermakers, they have played a No. 1 seed in both of these Sweet 16 appearances in the Connecticut Huskies and the Duke Blue Devils.

With that said, the Boilermakers are used to being the underdog when it comes to the NCAA tournament, but this year they are a No. 3 seed. This means that it is impossible for them to get knocked out by a No. 1 seed in the Sweet 16.

However, it is possible for them to play the No. 1 seed out of the Southwest region in the Elite Eight.

Since the Boilermakers have experience in the NCAA tournament, they will be ready to take on any team they face.

JaJuan Johnson Is the Best Player in the Southwest Region

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - DECEMBER 21: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers dunks the ball during the game against the IPFW Mastodons at Mackey Arena on December 21, 2010 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Argue it if you want, but JaJuan Johnson is the best player in the Southwest Region.

With 20.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg, Johnson was the Big Ten player of the year. This is saying a lot since a lot of people thought Ohio State's Jared Sullinger was the best player in the Big Ten, but he did not receive this award.

Johnson stands at 6'10" and is an absolute nightmare to guard, not to mention he is a very good player on defense.

JaJuan Johnson is a four-year senior, and he is very hungry for an NCAA tournament championship.

As long as No. 25 suits up in a Purdue uniform, the Boilermakers will have a chance to beat anyone they face. That is how good he is.

Tough Schedule This Season

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: Purdue Pete the mascot for the Purdue Boilermakers performs against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue own 75-52. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Playing in the Big Ten, the Boilermakers have had a tough schedule this year.

They managed to split the season series with the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers and also knocked off Michigan State twice.

They have already beaten seven teams playing in the NCAA tournament this year.

Not to mention the Boilermakers had out-of-conference wins against Alabama and Virginia Tech. 

Needless to say, playing in the Big Ten prepared Purdue for the NCAA tournament.

Bracket Is Set Up for Them

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: Fans and students from the Purdue Boilermakers support their team against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

The Purdue Boilermakers will tip off their 2011 NCAA tournament playing against Saint Peter's. This is going to be the most mismatched game of the first round, and the Boilermakers will win this game by at least 20.

In the next game Purdue will most likely have to play against Georgetown, which has been slumping as of lately. Once again, Purdue will prevail.

Unless if there is a huge upset, the Boilermakers will face off against Notre Dame in the Sweet 16. Notre Dame is a very good team, and the Boilermakers will have a lot of trouble with them.

However, Purdue is known for its defense, and if it can stop Ben Hansbrough, it will be able to win this game. Also, there is no one on the Fighting Irish that will be able to stop JaJuan Johnson.

This will put the Boilermakers in the Elite Eight, where they will most likely play Kansas. Although this is a very winnable game, it will be their toughest test of the tournament.

If they can win this game, they will find themselves in the Final Four for the first time since 1980.