Purdue will enter this year's NCAA Tournament with a chip on its shoulder after falling short last in the National Championship game against the UConn Huskies last season.
While the program lost star center Zach Edey to the NBA, head coach Matt Painter has another star-studded lineup heading into March Madness, headlined by Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, who were First-Team and Honorable Mention All-Americans, respectively.
The road back to San Antonio will not be easy for the Boilermakers, however, as they were given a No. 4 seed in a loaded Midwest Region. They'll have to fend their way through great teams and players alike if they want to make it to the Final Four once again.
Who are the best players in Purdue's Midwest Region?
1. Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
Lanier earned Honorable Mention All-American honors this year from the Associated Press in his first season with the Tennessee Volunteers. After spending four years at North Florida, the fifth-year guard contributed 17.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season in a loaded SEC. He shot 40% from beyond the arc this year and is one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the country.
Purdue would not face the Volunteers until the Elite 8, but coach Painter needs to have a plan in place if they face Lanier. His shooting ability alone is enough to wreck a game and could hurt the Boilermakers' chances of making it to the Final Four.
2. LJ Cryer, G, Houston
Cryer was an AP Third-Team All-American this season for the Cougars while averaging 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. After spending three seasons at Baylor and winning the National Championship as a freshman, Cryer transferred to Houston last season and has been an integral part of their success over the last two seasons.
Like Lanier, Cryer is a high-volume, high-efficiency scorer from deep and can get hot in a hurry. Purdue could face Houston in the Sweet 16, which means that the Boilermakers might need to figure out a way to run him off the three-point line before things get ugly.
3. Zakai Zeigler, G, Tennessee
Zeigler was also an AP Third-Team All-American this season, leading the charge for the Tennessee Volunteers with averages of 13.8 points and 7.3 assists per contest. He is the motor that propels his team and Purdue would have their hands full trying to contain him.
The Boilermakers would not face him and the Volunteers until the Elite 8, but coach Painter must account for him and Lanier at all times if the matchups shake out that way. He is the biggest star and poses the largest threat to Purdue's Final Four bid.