The No. 1 general seed within the NCAA Match could be slipping via Purdue’s fingers.
On Sunday, unranked Ohio State (15-11) upset the No. 2 Boilermakers (23-3) 73-69. The Buckeyes are second to final within the Large Ten and not too long ago fired head coach Chris Holtmann, making the loss all of the extra stunning.
On Saturday, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi gave Purdue the highest seed as an alternative of Connecticut, who thumped No. 4 Marquette 83-51. Nevertheless, he famous the Huskies are closing in on the Boilermakers.
“Purdue has six wins in opposition to the [selection committee’s] prime 16 [teams]. UConn has two after yesterday, and that is why Purdue is forward,” Lunardi mentioned Sunday on “SportsCenter.” “However the hole is closing. UConn has received 14 in a row.”
Within the analyst’s newest bracket, the Huskies claimed the highest seed.
Per ESPN, UConn is 11-1 in opposition to groups within the prime 50 in its Basketball Energy Index, whereas Purdue is 9-2. The Huskies have the sixth-hardest remaining schedule within the nation; Purdue has the Twenty ninth-hardest. If UConn retains rolling, this can give them an edge on Choice Sunday come March 17.
Purdue continues to be a lock to make the event. As of Sunday, FanDuel offers it the second-best nationwide championship odds behind the Huskies.
Nonetheless, Sunday’s loss to Ohio State highlights how the Boilermakers are likely to underestimate opponents and play all the way down to their competitors. Final season, Purdue turned the second No. 1 seed to fall to a No. 16 seed. They’ve been eradicated within the first spherical in two of their final three event appearances and have not made the Last 4 since 1980.
