Purdue received the ultimate one-seed over UCLA, nevertheless it otherwise wasn’t done any favors by the choice committee, given a dangerous second-round opponent, either No. 8 Memphis or 31-win Florida Atlantic, the ninth seed.
If No. 5 Duke gets through to the Sweet 16, the Garden will feel like Cameron Indoor Stadium North.
The underside half of the bracket is fascinating.
Marquette, which just won the Big East Tournament at MSG, has the possibility to get back there, while No. 3 Kansas State and dynamic Harlem point guard Markquis Nowell are favored to hitch the Wildcats.
Kentucky, the sixth seed, can also be lurking as a possible sleeper.
Bracket Buster: No. 8 Memphis
Kendric Davis is considered one of the premier guards within the country, and the Tigers have proven themselves by beating the likes of Houston, Auburn, Texas A&M and VCU.
Their elite athleticism and guard play will pose a serious problem for Purdue within the second round.
First-Round Upset Watch
No. 12 Oral Roberts over No. 5 Duke
Yes, Duke is playing thoroughly, and is coming off an ACC Tournament crown.
That doesn’t change the actual fact the ACC was woeful this yr.
Oral Roberts is healthier at each ends of the ground than it was two years ago when it reached the Sweet 16.
The Blue Devils may advance, but they are going to need to sweat to accomplish that.
Best First-Round Matchup
No. 6 Kentucky vs. No. 11 Windfall
Don’t tell me the choice committee doesn’t plan this stuff, pitting Windfall star Bryce Hopkins against Kentucky, his former school.
The combo forward exploded under Ed Cooley after he was an afterthought in a single season with John Calipari.
He’ll have a chip on his shoulder the dimensions of a boulder for this meeting.
Unsung Player: G Max Abmas, Oral Roberts
Two years ago, the little guard led the Summit League champion to the Sweet 16, and he’s back to create much more March magic.
He’s improved as a playmaker since then while cutting down on his turnovers without losing his explosive offensive ability.
One in all the must-watch players on this tournament.
Player to observe: F Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State
The 6-foot-6 wing enjoyed one of the best season of his profession, setting personal bests in scoring (17.7) and assists (2.2), and that got here after there was uncertainty if he would ever play again after collapsing two years ago this past December.
Diagnosed with myocarditis, he was placed in a medically induced coma for 3 days, and now Johnson is back at the highest of his game.
The Post Pick: Kansas State
Don’t pick against the Big 12, not this yr.
The league was too good.
Its teams can be too well-prepared after facing so many challenges.
Nowell adeptly handles the Marquette pressure in a classic Sweet 16 game and Johnson comes up big in an Elite Eight clash with Purdue, throwing down a monster dunk within the closing seconds over Boilermakers National Player of the Yr favorite Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4 center.
It puts an emotional capper on the Wildcats’ memorable Garden party.
