Commentary

Paint will decide Purdue's fate

Boilermakers' D should bottle up Gophers, but can they control the boards?

Originally Published: January 13, 2011

By LaRue Cook | ESPN Insider

Your NCAA tournament prep begins now. All season long ESPN Insider will be previewing key games between tournament contenders from an advanced statistical point of view to see how teams really stack up. Keep these points in mind when the action starts, but also stick them in your bank of bracket knowledge for March.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

ESPN The Magazine subscribers

Activate your Insider account »
Need more information?

View Insider Benefits »

SPONSORED HEADLINES

MORE MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM

Insider CBB

Follow all of Insider's latest CBB content:

Joe Lunardi

March 11: Spartans are last team in
March 10: Marquette punches its ticket
March 9: Villanova plummets down S-Curve
March 8: St. Mary's clings to bid
March 7: 5 must-watch games

Bubble Insider

In-depth projections for teams on the brink.

March 11: NCAA bar dropping fast
March 10: Spartans, Hokies must win
March 9: Alabama, Colorado get bid boosts
March 8: Magic numbers for bids
March 4: A look at potential bid thieves
March 1: Bubble teams search for big wins
Feb. 25: Breaking down Bama's bid
Feb. 22: Saint Mary's is on thin ice
Feb. 18: Marquette will get in

Giant Killers

How to spot Cinderella.

March 11: NCAA faves most likely to fall
March 10: Top 10 bets for NCAA upsets
March 9: How Giant Killers works (free)

Mid-Major Power Rankings

See who can be the next Butler Bulldogs.

March 4: Mason tops, but beware UTEP

Conference Voices Blog

Current players share insight on issues regarding their conferences:

Awards: Players pick top teams, coaches

John Gasaway

Basketball Prospectus author evaluates the national polls and offers stat-rich insights.

St. John's is no surprise

And don't forget these Insider mainstays:

The Experts Blog

Doug Gottlieb, Fran Fraschilla, Joe Lunardi and Jay Williams offer their opinions.

The Bilas Blog

Insights from the mind of the College Gameday analyst.