Purdue Basketball Achieves AP #1

  

  

         For the first time in program history, The Purdue University Boilermakers have achieved the AP rank of number one overall.

            After the Gonzaga Bulldogs lost to the Alabama Crimson tide on Saturday, there became a clear new number one. The Boilermakers are currently 8-0 with their first Big Ten win over Iowa 77-70.

            Team stat leaders include G Jaden Ivey averaging 15.9 points per game and 1.5 steals per game, F Trevion Williams averaging 8.8 rebounds per game, G Sasha Stefanovic averaging 4.5 assists per game, and C Zach Edey averaging 1.4 blocks per game.

            Head Coach Matt Painter has led the team to win three Big Ten regular seasons in 2010, 2017, and 2019, and also a Big Ten tournament championship in 2009. He has also been named the Big Ten Coach of the year four times in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2019, and also the National Coach of the Year in 2019. Unfortunately, since he took the head coaching job in 2005, he has never been to the NCAA Division 1 Final Four. Almost every year, Purdue has been a powerhouse team in the Big Ten behind the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, but never able to make a statement in the tournament. The best showing in the NCAA Division 1 Tournament came in 2019 when Purdue made it to the Elite Eight. During the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Tournament, Purdue was brutally upset in the round of 64 against North Texas, one of their worst showings under head coach Painter. 

            What has to change for Purdue to finally make a Final Four? If they continue to play the way they are now, they have a very good shot to make it. March Madness has always proven to be unpredictable so there are no guarantees for any team. When it comes to the Big Ten, there is a good chance Purdue can win the regular-season title and the championship title. Their offense is currently ranked in the top five of all NCAA teams. Both Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams are key players for the Boilermakers.