Big Ten Basketball Power Ranking Through Nov. 26
By Jeremy Karll
No. 1 – Purdue Boilermakers (5-1)
Purdue’s lone loss so far is against the second ranked Villanova Wildcats. They were tied with Villanova at halftime but couldn’t hold on and lost 79-76.
Also, their close eight point win over Georgia State, in which they needed a 20-0 run to complete the comeback, isn’t as bad as it sounds. Georgia State isn’t a great team, but they’re good and one of the better mid-majors in basketball this year.
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Other than that near mishap, Purdue has looked great. Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan form one of the toughest front courts in the nation.
Both are averaging 18.2 points per game and Swanigan has dominated on the glass. If Haas increases his 4.8 rebounds per game, it will become impossible to grab offensive rebounds with Swanigan also averaging 11.8 rebounds per contest.
Five players are averaging double-digit points per game, they’re rebounding well and all this is happening with transfer Spike Albrecht not playing great basketball. Albrecht isn’t a star who will form a Big Three with Haas and Swanigan, but Purdue will become even more dangerous with him coming off the bench once he starts playing well.
Purdue and Louisville will be a great matchup this week. After almost upsetting Villanova at home, the Boilermakers will see how their team handles a hostile environment on the road.
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Winning against Louisville would solidify them as the best team in the Big Ten. Either way, it’s going to be really hard for any team to stop the two-headed monster down low of Haas and Swanigan this season.