The No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers (17-2, 6-0 Big 10) put their 13-game winning streak on the line when they challenge the Wisconsin Badgers (9-9, 2-3 Big 10) at Mackey Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.
Purdue opened as a 15.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 133.5 points.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Purdue Boilermakers Free Prediction
In the Badgers’ last contest, they were beaten by the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 63-59. One of Nebraska’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They made 28 trips to the line, while Wisconsin went just 10 times. Ethan Happ was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
The Boilermakers won big over the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last matchup, 81-47. Purdue’s 31.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Minnesota, who had a rate of 16.3. The Boilermakers’ mark was above their season average of 30.6, while the Golden Gophers’ was below their season average of 34.0. Vincent Edwards was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
Purdue should have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Boilermakers currently rank seventh in offensive efficiency, while Wisconsin ranks 146th in defensive efficiency.
Wisconsin heads into the game with records of 9-9 straight up (SU) and 6-11 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Badgers’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Purdue is 17-2 SU and 12-6 ATS. Of the Boilermakers’ 18 games that accepted bets, 8 have finished over the total.
Happ has averaged 17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Wisconsin.
After the Boilermakers won the sole contest against the Badgers last season, 66-55, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Boilermakers made 11 of their 12 free throws (91.7 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.598 vs. 0.407).
Wisconsin Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Purdue, ATS Winner – Purdue, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Wisconsin is 1-6 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 1 push.
At home, Purdue is 7-3 ATS with 5 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
Purdue ranks 52nd in rebounds per game (38.6) while Wisconsin ranks 265th (31.6).
The Boilermakers rank 15th in assists per game (17.9) while the Badgers rank 178th (12.8).
Wisconsin ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (15.1) while Purdue ranks 117th (21.5).
The Boilermakers rank 12th in blocks per game (5.9) while the Badgers rank 120th (3.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Wisconsin is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Purdue is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Badgers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, up from 4.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Boilermakers have scored an average of 81.0 points per game (4.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.0 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
