Conference: Big Ten Conference
Coach: Matt Painter
Record: 26-8 overall, 12-6 in conference
KenPom Rank: 10
Good wins: at Wisconsin, over Wisconsin, Michigan State at home.
Impact Players: AJ Hammons leads the Boilers with 15 points and eight rebounds per game. Freshman phenom Caleb Swanigan adds another eight rebounds per game. The Boilers play four players who are 6'8" or taller in their rotation, with PJ Thompson feeding the post.
How did they get in?: Starting out 10-0 and only losing one game at home to Iowa is a strong record; they also reached the finals of the Big Ten Tournament, though they only received a five-seed.