The Purdue Boilermakers will look to stay undefeated in conference play when they hit the road to face off against the Indiana Hoosiers. Purdue has been one of the dominant teams in the country this season and are heavy favorites to take care of business in this one despite playing on the road.
Indiana has long been one of the Big Ten’s best programs but is having a down year and seems to be a longshot to make the NCAA tournament. The Hoosiers will need a fantastic finish to change that thinking and a win over the No. 2 ranked team in the country would be a great way to start that.
That is much easier said than done as Purdue should not have much trouble heading across the state and coming away with the win.
This war on the floor will go down Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Assembly Hall. This game will be broadcast on FOX.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Sunday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Purdue is 20-2 straight up and 15-7 against the spread. The Boilermakers have gone on the road five times this season and covered in four of them. Purdue has been favored in all but one game on the year.
Indiana is 12-9 straight up and 10-9-2 against the spread. The Hoosiers are 8-4-1 against the spread at home this year, which is a much better showing than they have done on the road. Indiana is 2-6-1 against the spread as the underdog and hopes to improve on that.
Key Stat
22.6. That’s the positive point-differential for the Boilermakers this year, which, coupled with their record, makes it clear why they should be considered in the running for the national championship. Purdue is averaging 84.8 points per game while only allowing 62.2, and that combination has helped vault them into the conversation with the nation’s elite teams.
Purdue did have a close one last time out, knocking off a ranked Michigan team by four points. The Wolverines also gave the Boilermakers a scare earlier in Big Ten play, but for the most part Purdue has been routing opponents.
Purdue is very efficient from the field, shooting 50.3 percent from field goal range and 43.7 percent from beyond the arc. Carsen Edwards leads the way with 17.2 points per game, while Vincent Edwards adds 14.9 points per contest.
Purdue has five different players averaging at least nine points per game, so while the Edwards duo must be contained, the Boilermakers have others that can also step up.
Player To Watch
Juwan Morgan -- The Hoosiers’ best chance of sticking around in this game will be on the shoulders of their junior forward. He is averaging 16.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
Morgan has racked up 25 and 28 points the past two times out, and another performance like that would be a boon for Indiana. The Hoosiers do not have the type of depth to hang with Purdue, so it could take a great individual showing to make up for it.
Morgan has that ability and Purdue will undoubtedly keep an eye on him closely in this one.
Free NCAA Men’s Basketball ATS Picks
Purdue might not have the same name cachet as Duke, Villanova or even Big Ten brethren Michigan State, but make no mistake about it: this is a national championship contender. Even a road game against a decent opponent won’t trip up the Boilermakers.
Take Purdue to coast to a double-digit victory as its superior depth will help wear down Indiana. The Boilermakers will look for a strong finish to secure a No. 1 seed and will continue down the right path with a convincing win against Indiana.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds: Purdue 85, Indiana 71
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