NCAA Tournament 2017 Sweet 16: Grading Each Team’s Title Hopes

Purdue Boilermakers (4) – Midwest Region

Of course, we’ll get to put that theory regarding Kansas’ guards and lack of a frontcourt to the test immediately in the Sweet 16 as they face the Purdue Boilermakers. They stand as the complete antithesis of the Jayhawks in that they don’t have any superstar guards by any stretch. What they do have though is “Biggie,” Caleb Swanigan. Swanigan is probably the best big man in the country and he can make teams simply weep in trying to guard him.

Swanigan is a versatile force in how he can carve up opposing teams. He has the size, length and skills to get down on the block and score like a traditional big man. But if that gets taken away, he also has no problem stepping out and knocking down jumpers with tremendous efficiency for a player his size. Even better, Swanigan has shown he’s an adept passer that can draw defenses into the post and then kick out to the open guard, most of whom are sweet-shooting.

Unfortunately, Swanigan and the Boilermakers are a lackluster defensive team to say the least. That’s particularly going to be evident against Kansas as the defense of their guards is the biggest issue. Jackson, Graham and Mason are going to be able to have their way—or should be. However, with a player like Biggie, you can’t completely count out Purdue. But they’re going to need him to have an otherworldly outing to carry them through.

Chances: Need Some Luck