Purdue has historically come back with a vengeance following a loss, as the Boilermakers have gone 13-1 SU in their past 14 coming off an L. It may not be as simple as one would expect, as Purdue hosts the surprisingly strong Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday.
The Boilermakers will go as far as their defense will take them, as Purdue has held opponents to just 66.8 ppg across the entire season but has allowed 81.4 ppg in losses. The Boilermakers are coming off a tough 83-80 loss to unranked Nebraska despite holding the lead in the final minute of play. Of course, you can’t talk about Purdue without talking about Caleb Swanigan. Maybe the most dominant big in the country, Swanigan is averaging 18.5 points and 12.7 rebounds while recording a double-double in 18 of 21 games this year.
It seemed like it was going to be another middling season for Northwestern after the team opened the conference schedule 1-2, but this isn’t the same old Wildcats. Northwestern has rattled off six consecutive wins, while holding teams to just 61.3 ppg, and is now ranked for just the second time in program history. Nobody in the Big Ten has defended as well as Northwestern with Chris Collins’ team holding opponents to 38.3 percent from the floor and 30.7 from beyond the arc.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Purdue Boilermakers were listed as -7-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the OVER/UNDER betting odds total was expected shortly.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Purdue Boilermakers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Purdue Boilermakers bring a 17-5 record (12-7 ATS) to this tilt against the 18-4 Wildcats, who are 15-5 ATS. Those OVER/UNDER betting have witnessed Purdue go 12-6-1 so far and the Northwestern Wildcats go 7-12-1.
The Purdue Boilermakers sit at No. 16 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Northwestern Wildcats sit at No. 29 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Northwestern Wildcats rank No. 49 in NCAA Basketball Division 1 with 38.68 per game. That compares with Purdue’s No. 38 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Purdue is college basketball's No. 19-ranked team at 9.59 per game, while the Northwestern Wildcats rate No. 89 with 8.09 per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Northwestern earned a 68-55 victory over Indiana on Sunday, getting 21 points from Bryant McIntosh at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Dakota Mathias scored 19 points in a futile effort to lead the Boilermakers to a win (they lost 83-80 to Nebraska at Sportsbook Bank Arena on Sunday).
Next Betting Matchups
Northwestern home to Illinois, Tuesday, February 7th
Purdue at Maryland, Saturday, February 4th