Purdue Basketball Preseason Rankings

With 43 days to go before basketball season tips off several preseason publications are coming out that favor our Boilers. Purdue has not started a season ranked since the 2010-11 season, but it looks as if that streak could end here in a few week. Here are some of the publications that have Purdue as a top 25 team:

Athlon Magazine- 16th

The Boilermakers are the preseason No. 16 team and selected to finish third in the Big Ten while reaching the Sweet 16.

• Caleb Swanigan was named one of 10 "Impact Freshmen" nationally, saying this about the Fort Wayne native: "Swanigan's arrival at Purdue could represent a major shift in the Big Ten this season. It gives the Boilermakers one of the strongest frontcourts in the country. He is a skilled 6-9 forward who joins 7-footers A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas and 6-8 Vince Edwards in a talented frontcourt."

• A.J. Hammons was selected the third-best post man in America behind Skal Labissiere of Kentucky and Vanderbilt's Damian Jones. Hammons was also selected to the All-Senior second team.

• Hammons was selected first-team All-Big Ten by the publication, while Swanigan was named to the third team.

• Analysis says, "If the Boilermakers can develop into a good outside shooting team, watch out. They'll be a Big Ten title contender and in line for a deep NCAA Tournament run."

Blue Ribbon Yearbook - 19th

Seth Davis of CBS Sports - 19th

Lindy's Magazine - 21st

• Purdue is ranked No. 19 in the national poll and picked third in the Big Ten, while boasting the nation's seventh-best frontcourt.

• Hammons was named the fourth-best center in America behind Vanderbilt's Damian Johnson, Utah's Jakob Poeltl and UL Lafayette's Shawn Long.

• Hammons was named a third-team All-Big Ten honoree and was named the top rebounder in the Big Ten.

• Freshman Ryan Cline was named the Best Shooter among Big Ten recruits, writing "His skill should free up passing angles to all of those quality post players Matt Painter suits up at Purdue".

• Lindy's says to keep an eye on, "Junior sharpshooter Kendall Stephens has endured groin, finger, shoulder and ankle issues during his first two seasons, yet he found a way to drill 73-of-190 three-pointers last year. He will find space thanks to Purdue's big men."

SB Nation - 24th

For Purdue to take another jump defensively, two things need to happen: it needs to limit good looks from three-point range and finally start forcing some turnovers. Last year, opponents hit 35.1 percent of their threes, which ranked Purdue No. 211 in the nation. Of the points Purdue gave up, only 27.3 percent came off three-pointers, which ranked No. 210 in the nation.