Eastern Michigan at Purdue

Many wondered if when Gene Keady retired if Purdue could find its way back onto the national scene again. After a struggle, Matt Painter logged a 22-win season with the Boilers last year. This season, he has a team with Final Four potential, 28 years since their last appearance. Grant,  Hummel and Moore all connected on over 43% from beyond the arc last season and return with Jajuan Johnson who is expected to come up big under the basket. The Boilermaker's have all the ingredients to find their way deep in the tournament. Eastern Michigan is off an injury-riddled 14-17 mark and just .500 in the MAC. The team is experienced inside and has a good PG in Carlos Medlock, but the depth, quickness, and athleticism on the perimeter for Purdue will cause this Eagle team many problems. Turnovers should mount and turn into some easy hoops, and Purdue's trio of marksman on the perimeter just won't be able to be defended. And if they get hot, this one could be over very early! I'll back Purdue in a rout here.