Under the old conference alignment, which was for the most part based on geography, we seldom saw a matchup like the Big Ten game we have on the Saturday slate. The top 20 contest features No. 17 Purdue at No. 13 Oregon in a tussle between squads fighting for the top of the conference standings. At 5-1 in Big Ten play the Boilermakers trial the Michigan schools, who are each unbeaten through five games. Since losing two straight just before Christmas, Purdue has won five in a row with payouts at the Bitcoin sportsbook in each of the last four. The Ducks are riding a three-game winning streak but they are less profitable at the betting window going 3-5 ATS in their last eight contests. The game tips at 3 p.m. ET from Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, OR and will air on NBC.
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Purdue Boilermakers
For a team that’s 13-4 ahead of Wednesday’s game at Washington, the Boilermakers appear to be hitting their stride. They scored a season-high point total in Sunday’s 104-68 win over a good Nebraska squad, their fifth straight victory and third in a row by at least 18 points. It could also be from a lighter schedule after the Boilermakers were dealt back to back losses last month by current No. 1 Auburn and current No 11 Texas AM. The other setbacks were to Penn State and current No. 7 Marquette. At the time of this writing those four teams had a combined record of 56-12. So I guess you could say the Boilermakers aren’t too far off.
What’s made them highly successful this season is a defense that applies relentless pressure. Since losing to Auburn, 87-69, on Dec. 21, Purdue has not allowed more than 68 points in its five victories. It will be interesting to see how Purdue performs on the road in a rare game out west. The Boilers dropped their first two true road games to Marquette and Penn State by significant margins. They have won their last two, though, beating Minnesota and Rutgers.
Prior to their trip to the Pacific Northwest, the Boilermakers had perhaps their most complete game of the season in the rout of Nebraska. They shot 63.1 percent from the field and were 19 of 33 from three-point range. They’re also 4-0 since C.J. Cox entered the starting lineup and proved to be a good move. Cox was 5 of 7 from distance against the Huskers and scored 23 points. He adds to a cast that includes conference player of the year hopeful Trey Kaufman-Renn, who averages 17.5 points and shoots better than 61 percent from the floor. Purdue ranks among the top 15 nationally in overall field goal percentage and three-point percentage.
Oregon Ducks
Oregon’s only two losses on the season have come in Big Ten play and they’ve won three straight since a humbling 109-77 setback to Illinois earlier this month. A stretch of games starting with that contest was going to show us a lot about the makeup of the Ducks, and they came out the other side looking to be in good shape. They beat KenPom top 40 teams Maryland, Ohio State and Penn State by a combined seven points.
Following their wins in the Midwest the Ducks had a few days off so they should be well rested for a Purdue squad that has a midweek game against Washington. It’s been nearly a week since the Ducks beat PSU behind a balanced effort. Six players scored in double figures and collectively they shot 54 percent from the floor in the 82-81 triumph. And in the wins over Ohio State and Penn State the Ducks rallied late. They trailed most of the second half at PSU and got two free throws from Jackson Shelstad in the final seconds to edge the Buckeyes, 73-71.
Playing at home and having a week between games will definitely help Oregon. And winning three in a row against quality Big Ten opponents is another plus. I think more important is how they won those games, rallying late on the road to beat OSU and PSU shows how determined the group is. And they seemingly used the home loss to Illinois as motivation.
Purdue at Oregon Same Game Parlay Picks
Oregon ATS
Purdue / Oregon OVER
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