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The Big Ten has some of the better teams in the country, and the Purdue Boilermakers are making their case as the best in the conference. Purdue has shot to top-five in the country and is looking like a national title contender. The Boilermakers will remain to stay undefeated in Big Ten play when they host the Wisconsin Badgers.
Wisconsin has long had a strong program but is experiencing a down year, and will be a heavy underdog in this matchup. The Boilermakers figure to win this game but the more interesting contest will surround which team covers the spread.
Watch this regular season matchup live on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 7 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Odds Analysis
Wisconsin is 9-9 straight up and 7-10 against the spread. The Badgers have covered in two of five games on the road. They are 2-2 against the spread as the underdog.
Purdue is 17-2 straight up and 13-6 against the spread. The Boilermakers have covered in eight of 11 contests at home this season. Purdue is 12-6 against the spread as the favorite on the season.
Key Stat
19. That’s the percentage chance the Boilermakers have been given to win the NCAA Tournament at this point, which is the best in the nation. Clearly the analytics are on board with this team as Purdue is checking all the boxes of a team with title capability.
Purdue enters this game on a 13-game winning streak. The Boilermakers knocked off ranked opponents Arizona and Louisville during this stretch and have won nine of the games by double digits. Purdue has won most of its games easily in conference play but did escape with a one-point win over Michigan of late.
The Boilermakers hope this one is an easier matchup and it should be. Purdue is led by Carsen Edwards, who is averaging 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season. Isaac Haas is another key player. He is scoring 14.8 points per game and shooting a sparkling 63.8 percent from the field.
Purdue has a point-differential of plus-22.3 on the season, which is a dominant number.
Player to Watch
Ethan Happ —If the Badgers are able to hang around in this matchup, Happ figures to play a big role in it. He is averaging 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting 56.8 percent from the field and needs to establish himself down low in order to help Wisconsin remain competitive.
Happ did all he could to help his team last time out, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four steals against Nebraska, but it wasn’t enough as the Badgers fell 63-59.
Wisconsin needs to give Happ some help, but it’s imperative he plays a starring role in this one.
Free ATS Pick
Purdue may not have the same name cachet as other contenders like Michigan State, Villanova and Duke, but thus far has played just as well as some of the other perennial super-powers. The Boilermakers will need to prove themselves against the Spartans and others moving forward and will aim to remain defeated in the Big Ten as long as possible.
Purdue is clearly the better team and should roll to the win in this game against Wisconsin. Keep an eye on how the spread stacks up because the Boilermakers will likely need to win by double digits in order to cover. The scoring total could be lower than most games for Purdue because the Badgers play a slow-down style of ball.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds: Purdue 76, Wisconsin 65
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