College Basketball: Top 4 Players At Each Position

Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; (EDITOR

AJ Hammons, Purdue C

Undefeated and ranked in the top-11 by the AP and Coaches, Purdue basketball is relevant (and fun to watch) again. Anchoring the Boilermakers, next to highly touted freshman Caleb Swanigan, is 7’ center AJ Hammons. Coming off a season in which he was named to the B1G all-defensive team for the second time and in which he garnered second team All-B1G honors, Hammons continues to be a defensive force down low. Averaging 12 points, eight rebounds and 2 blocks per game, the Carmel, Indiana product is building on his reputation as a shot-blocker and elite defender. He shoots an efficient 63 percent from the floor, leading to a true shooting percentage of 67 percent.

The Boilermakers have defeated their stiffest competition – Florida and Pittsburg – in convincing fashion. A pair of double-digit wins, and some drubbings of lesser competition, mean Purdue is in the hunt for the both the B1G title and a top seed in the tournament. Standing in their way is the Crossroads Classic, in which they face Butler with a chance to exorcise any remaining demons from last year’s 94-63 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame in the same event. Then comes the B1G slate, in which Purdue will face the likes of Indiana, Michigan State and Maryland. Hammons and the Boilermakers will have every opportunity to prove themselves worthy of a top ranking and top seed in March.

Next: Again, In Lexington