NCAA Tournament 2017: 10 best moments from opening weekend

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Daishon Smith (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Dominique Hawkins (25) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 10

Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) dunks the ball during the second half of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Caleb Swanigan Says Goodnight

By most accounts, Purdue Boilermakers sophomore Caleb Swanigan is the best big man in the country. Looking at his season-long averages of 18.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and three assists per game while hitting over 50 percent of his field goal attempts and over 43 percent of his 2.4 3-point attempts per game, it’s not hard to see why.

However, there was a bit of concern about Swanigan and Purdue entering the tournament, largely because the big man wasn’t at his best to end the season and the Big Ten Tournament. Not only would that have been bad news for the Boilermakers, but also a disappointing finish to the year for Swanigan. Thus, he and college hoops fans are fortunate that he was able to deliver a strong First Round performance, but then a masterpiece in the Round of 32 to get past Iowa State.

Despite Purdue head coach Matt Painter’s extremely curious decision to sit Swanigan for a long stretch in the second half, the Boilermakers star was fully dominant—even if his scoring wasn’t efficient. The likely NBA-bound sophomore finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, both impressive, but not overly so marks for him. What made his effort so incredible was the seven assists he notched in the victory, an element not often seen in his game. But he pulled it out when his shot wasn’t fully consistent and his team needed his ball movement to win. Whenever you see a stud player put up that kind of line and live up to the moment like that, it’s always a blast.

Home/March Madness