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March Madness 2017: Ranking and previewing all Sweet 16 teams

By Keith Rivas

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) celebrates 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: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) celebrates 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: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Purdue Boilermakers

Now to get to Purdue. The reason Purdue is ahead of Florida on this list is for one reason — they knocked off a hot Iowa State team that could’ve easily been in their place right now.

The way they beat the Cyclones was by being able to hang on to a big lead. For the Boilermakers, it made all the difference to go into halftime with a double-digit advantage.

Now Purdue will play Kansas, where their inability to keep the ball away from being turned over could kill them. Kansas is a number one seed in the tournament for a reason, and being sloppy isn’t an option if you want to beat them.

https://twitter.com/BoilerBall/status/843500210634547200

If they do pull the upset off, though, they have a real shot at making the Final Four. The winner of the Purdue-Kansas game will play the winner of the Michigan-Oregon one.

Purdue could beat either one of those teams, but the only uncertainty is Kansas.

In order for the Boilermakers to actually win, they have to keep the scoring low. Trying to top the Jayhawks with more shots than them or faster offense that isn’t what your players are used to won’t help.

Slow and steady wins the race.

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