Purdue has to be thrilled.
Neither No. 4 Kansas or No. 5 Gonzaga are particularly intimidating, which should at least clear the way for Zach Edey and the Boilermakers to reach the Elite Eight.
Anything less would be a massive underachievement.
The bottom of the bracket features two Final Four contenders, No. 2 Tennessee and No. 3 Creighton, that are elite at one end of the floor — Tennessee on defense and Creighton on offense.
Led by star guard Max Abmas, No. 7 Texas has sleeper potential — the winner of Colorado State/Virginia won’t challenge the Longhorns in the first round — and No. 11 Oregon, the Pac-12 Tournament champion, is entering the dance hot.
Never overlook Dana Altman this time of year.
Bracket Buster
No. 7 Texas: The 1-2 punch of Max Abmas and Dylan Disu are capable of putting the Longhorns on their backs. Texas is incredibly battle-tested coming out of the minefield known as the Big 12 and has a top-20 offense that can give Tennessee problems in the second round.
First-Round Upset Watch
No. 13 Samford over No. 4 Kansas: Kansas’ two stars, Hunter Dickinson (dislocated shoulder) and Kevin McCullar Jr. (knee), are question marks, and it is getting a dangerous opponent. Samford is an elite 3-point shooting team, ranking seventh in the country at 39.3 percent, and has won 12 of its last 14 games.
Best First-Round Matchup
No. 6 South Carolina vs. No. 11 Oregon: South Carolina’s BJ Mack against Oregon’s N’Faly Dante is worth your attention on its own, two talented forwards who create problems for the opposition with their athleticism and ability to finish around the rim. Dante, in particular, is on a roll after a dominant showing in the Pac-12 Tournament.
Unsung Player
Shahada Wells, McNeese: The TCU transfer is a playmaking demon, a robust 3-point shooter, strong passer, dedicated defender and quality rebounder for his size. He averaged 27 points and 5.5 assists in the Southland Conference Tournament.
Player to Watch
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee: Arguably the premier transfer in the country, the 6-foot-6 wing transformed the Volunteers on the offensive end as a court-spacing shotmaker who is a marksman from beyond the arc at 39.7 percent.
The Post’s Pick
Creighton
Sometimes an early exit from Championship Week is a good thing. It will be for the Bluejays, who were knocked off in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, giving their overworked starters much-needed time to rest. Purdue will meet Creighton in the Elite Eight after knocking off Cinderella McNeese, the 12th seed, in the Sweet 16. Ryan Kalkbrenner slows down Edey just enough and Trey Alexander makes all the big clutch plays late, as Creighton pulls out a thriller. It gives the snubbed Big East something to feel good about.
