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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 18

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) dunks against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) dunks against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Purdue Boilermakers

Last week: 23-6, 12-4 Big Ten
Last rank: 16

The Boilermakers are the clear class of the Big Ten with the ceiling of a title contender, and will enter the postseason on a high note following two solid wins in Week 17.

Purdue completed the sweep of archrivial Indiana in an 86-75 win on Tuesday night at Mackey Arena. Facing a hyped up crowd at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, the Boilermakers then managed to hold off Northwestern in an entertaining four-point win to claim the Big Ten outright.

Vince Edwards went off for 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting to help Purdue overcome an uncharacteristically bad night for the perimeter. Caleb Swanigan won’t need too much support to carry Purdue to the second weekend and beyond, as the Big Ten Player of the Year finished his campaign with two more double-doubles.

While Matt Painter’s teams have always been tough defensively and on the interior, the difference this year could be better guard play and some of the best 3-point shooting in the country. The Boilermakers are balanced with top 20 marks on both sides of the ball per KenPom, but have also had a few duds this year with losses to teams like Iowa and Nebraska.

Purdue enters the Big Ten Tournament as the favorite, but could face a Michigan team that just beat it two weeks ago in Friday’s quarterfinals.