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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 15

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 11, 2017; Moraga, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) drives the ball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half of the game at McKeon Pavilion. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the St. Mary's Gaels with a score of 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Moraga, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) drives the ball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half of the game at McKeon Pavilion. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the St. Mary's Gaels with a score of 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) fights for some space under the basket during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 69 to 64. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) fights for some space under the basket during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 69 to 64. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
14

Purdue Boilermakers

Last week: 19-5, 8-3 Big Ten
Last rank: 16

The Boilermakers are asserting themselves as the best team in the Big Ten following another solid week, and have the ability to go on a deep March run behind a National Player of the Year candidate.

Purdue had just one game in Week 14, a 69-65 road win over archrival Indiana on Thursday night in Bloomington. Double-double machine Caleb Swanigan had another 16 points and 14 rebounds despite only getting a few touches in the second half, while Vince Edwards piled up 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting.

Swanigan is now averaging 19 points and 12.8 rebounds per game this season, making Purdue’s offense a force in the interior. The Boilermakers are also shooting 41.8 percent from the 3-point line to rank fourth in the nation, with Swanigan himself ranking as the best perimeter shooter on the team behind Dakota Mathias.

There are a couple of shaky losses on the resume, but Purdue has now won six of its last seven games while taking care of the other three best teams in the Big Ten. KenPom quietly has the Boilermakers all the way up to 11th with top 20 marks on both sides of the ball, as they have the dynamic offense to support a typically stout Matt Painter defense this year.

Purdue will get a pair of home games in Week 15 with matchups against Rutgers and Michigan State.