Northwestern is coming off its most impressive win of the 2016-2017 NCAA Basketball campaign – a dominating 68-55 win over Indiana on Sunday. The Wildcats are 2.6 points per game better than average offensively (75.0 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 72.4 points per game) and 10.2 points per game better than average defensively (63.7 points per game to teams that would combine to average 73.9 points per game).
Despite standing at 18-4 SU this season, the Wildcats remain grossly underrated by the betting market. Indeed, Northwestern is 15-4 ATS overall, including 8-1 ATS in its last nine road games and 7-2 ATS in its last nine Big Ten Conference battles.
The Wildcats are also 23-8-1 ATS in their last 32 games following a win and 6-0 ATS in their last six conference games. Those results are certainly compelling, but Northwestern will be without leading scorer Scottie Lindsey, who has been ruled out due to mononucleosis. The talented guard is averaging 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.
Purdue is enjoying a very strong season under head coach Matt Painter, entering tonight’s game with a 17-5 record. The Boilermakers are 11-2 SU and 7-3 ATS at home this season where they are averaging 82.5 points per game on 49.7% shooting from the field. Purdue is also limiting opponents to a mere 61.9 points per game on its home floor (37.7% FG%).
Purdue possesses a significant advantage in almost every important category, ranking 17th nationally in offensive field goal percentage (49.1), 5th in three-point field goal percentage (41.9), 24th in three-point field goals per game (9.6), 2nd in assists per game (19.7), 3rd in total assists (433) and 16th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.45).
Purdue’s defense is 8.1 points per game better than average (66.8 points per game to teams that would combine to average 74.9 points per game), and the Boilermakers are ranked 13th nationally in personal fouls per game (15.5) and 23rd in fewest fouls (341).
From a technical standpoint, Purdue is a profitable 8-1 ATS in its last nine home games, 12-4 ATS in its last sixteen games as a favorite, 11-4-1 ATS in its last 16 conference affairs and 10-4 ATS in its last fourteen games overall. Purdue is also coming off a disappointing 83-80 loss at Nebraska, which snapped a three-game SU and ATS winning streak.
“We don’t want to repeat the same thing,” Purdue forward Vince Edwards said. “Guys come out with more of an edge after a loss. Every game has to be a big game for us, because we are trying to build an NCAA resume and win a Big Ten championship.” Lay the points with Purdue as Oskeim Sports’ Free NCAA Basketball Sports Pick for Wednesday, February 1.
Oskeim Sports’ Free NCAA Basketball Sports Pick: Purdue (-10) (-110)