By ESPN.com | ESPN.com
Every weekday, some of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.
1. Purdue has quietly positioned itself in a tie for second place in the Big Ten. Why is no one talking about the Boilermakers?
Andy Katz: Purdue hasn't been a featured team. The Boilermakers would be able to make a major statement with a win over Indiana on Thursday. The one concern is the majority of the Boilermakers' Big Ten wins came against the bottom half of the league. That doesn't diminish their play of late, but it could be cause for some pause from the NCAA selection committee.
Eamonn Brennan: Purdue's not a super-pretty team, but it's not as bad as it was early in the season -- either visually or effectively. When most people were getting acquainted, the Boilers were giving up more than a point per trip in losses to North Florida and Gardner-Webb, dropping high(er)-profile double-digit losses to Kansas State and Notre Dame, and just generally looking kind of gross. Since then, coach Matt Painter's team has had the best per-trip defense in the Big Ten, led by center A.J. Hammons, as well as much-improved passing and spacing on offense.
Myron Medcalf: Because there is a logjam below Wisconsin and no team has really established itself as a true threat to the Badgers. That's the problem with the Big Ten. There's limited separation, so it's difficult for 9-4 Purdue to stand out, although Matt Painter has to be a contender for Big Ten Coach of the Year.
2. How many Atlantic 10 teams should make the NCAA tournament?
Katz: I will go with Dayton and VCU, and Davidson is close. I'm still waiting on URI and UMass to do more. George Washington, Richmond and St. Bonaventure are all viable A-10 tourney winners.
Brennan: Maybe three. George Washington is on the ropes, and I'm not sure Rhode Island is much better off. Dayton should be OK, UMass has good schedule numbers but few wins, Davidson has ground to make up. The bottom of the A-10 can dole out some bad losses. Three sounds right.
Medcalf: Two: VCU and Dayton. UMass could earn a slot, too, especially with a couple of wins over VCU and George Washington on the road. But coach Derek Kellogg's squad doesn't have any solid, quality wins beyond a victory over the Flyers.
3. And how many for the American?
Katz: SMU may be the only safe pick, if the Mustangs keep winning. Temple has a signature win. Cincinnati and Tulsa need more work, and UConn may need to win the tourney in Hartford.
Brennan: UConn isn't one of them, which is the most surprising thing. SMU is safe. Cincinnati and Temple are looking better than most of the bubble. Tulsa, on the other hand, racked up a 10-0 conference start without picking up a big win. Five is totally doable, but hardly guaranteed.
Medcalf: Probably three. SMU gets in. Temple is still feasting off that victory over Kansas, the top team in the RPI. Cincy should be in, but this recent slide could send them to the NIT. Tulsa could be the fourth team. But are wins over Temple, Memphis and Connecticut really enough to push the Golden Hurricane into the Big Dance?
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