Maryland Basketball: Big Ten Tournament preview

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Feb 20, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons (20) defended by Indiana Hoosiers forward Max Bielfeldt (0) at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeat Purdue 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Threat to make the Final: No. 4 Purdue

If there’s one team from the top half I see potentially knocking off Indiana, it would be Purdue. The Boilermakers finished conference play strong, winning four of their last five games. That one loss came at Indiana by a narrow margin of four points, which isn’t something a lot of teams can say. A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas provide size down low as both big men stand over seven feet tall and three of Purdue’s starters average double figures.

The one weakness where Purdue has struggled this season has been when they are pressed, they struggle to break the pressure and hang onto the basketball. If the Boilermakers can protect the ball and protect the paint down low with their big men, they have a shot at knocking off Indiana in a potential rematch in the semifinals.