#18 Purdue Boilermakers (19-4,7-3)
The Boilermakers needed AJ Hammons to return for his senior season and he did that. Averaging 60% from the field to go with 14 points 8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game, you can say they truly needed him. He has been crucial to an impressive 19-4 start for Purdue, granted their best win being a game at Wisconsin. So Purdue doesn’t necessarily have the wins needed to be ranked up higher, but it’ll get them into the tournament. Especially if they can finish strong, with games versus Maryland twice and Michigan State it’ll be tricky. Purdue also visits Indiana on the 20th, but even with all of the difficult tasks ahead I’ll put some chips on 18th ranked Purdue.