5 Bold Predictions For No. 8 Cincinnati vs. No. 9 Purdue

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 8 Cincinnati vs. No. 9 Purdue

Purdue Boilermakers Big Ten Tournament NCAA Tournament — I just checked, and Robbie Hummel is no longer on the Purdue Boilermakers’ roster. In the Boilers' first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012, Purdue takes on the one-seed-superior Cincinnati Bearcats. As seasoned March Madness veterans all know, the seeds attached to this game don’t really matter. Here are five big things that could go either team’s way on Thursday night.

5. Purdue Will Control The Paint

Purdue Boilermakers Wisconsin Badgers NCAA Tournament Paint

5. Purdue Will Control The Paint

Purdue Boilermakers Wisconsin Badgers NCAA Tournament Paint — The Boilermakers are the tallest team north of Lexington, featuring 7-foot center A.J. Hammons and no starting member shorter than 6-foot-4. Rebounding is key in the tournament, and Purdue’s inside presence will suit the Boilermakers well for survival.

4. Cincinnati Will Gain An Early Lead

Cincinnati Bearcats NCAA Tournament No. 8 seed Round of 64

4. Cincinnati Will Gain An Early Lead

Cincinnati Bearcats NCAA Tournament No. 8 seed Round of 64 — As I said above, Purdue is back for the first time in three years. The Bearcats are in consecutive tourney number five. Expect the Boilermakers to wilt under the lights a little and for Cincinnati to take early advantage.

3. There Will Be At Least 10 Blocks

Cincinnati Bearcats Octavius Ellis March Madness

3. There Will Be At Least 10 Blocks

Cincinnati Bearcats Octavius Ellis March Madness — Purdue is tall, but Cincinnati blocks more shots than the Boilermakers (Bearcats rank 13th in the country), albeit barely (Purdue ranks 14th). Look for flashes of Anthony Davis and the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats except with better-demarcated eyebrows.

2. Cincinnati Will Hold Purdue To Below Average Output

Cincinnati Bearcats basketball fans mascot March Madness

2. Cincinnati Will Hold Purdue To Below Average Output

Cincinnati Bearcats basketball fans mascot March Madness — The Bearcats are sixth in the land in scoring defense, while Purdue averages 70 points per game. Something will give, and it’ll be the Boilermakers’ offense yielding. This game might go to the first team to reach 55.

1. Purdue Advances To Round Of 32

Purdue Boilermakers Matt Painter NCAA Tournament March Madness

1. Purdue Advances To Round Of 32

Purdue Boilermakers Matt Painter NCAA Tournament March Madness — Both Purdue and Cincinnati enjoyed relatively weak schedules (Purdue SOS: 68th, Cincinnati SOS: 56th), but the Bearcats have beaten just two opponents ranked at the time of each game and lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Purdue leveled Nebraska by 12 and will also beat Cincinnati by a similar margin.

Teams in this article »

Purdue Boilermakers

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Cincinnati Bearcats

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