The No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers (24-5, 13-5 Big Ten) will look to regain their form against the Wisconsin Badgers (16-12, 8-10) Thursday. Tip from Kohl Center is at 9 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Purdue vs. Wisconsin odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
All 5 of Purdue’s losses this season have come in conference play, and 3 have come in its last 4 games. The Boilermakers lost 79-71 to Indiana Saturday (the second time this season the Hoosiers have toppled them), failing to cover as 6.5-point favorites. The defeat dashed any hopes of a winning streak they may have had entering play off an 82-55 victory over Ohio State on Feb. 19. That single win came on the heels of losses at Northwestern (64-58, Feb. 12) and Maryland (68-54, Feb. 16).
All-American C Zach Edey, standing at 7’4″, is going to be counted on in order to get Purdue to the finish line and into the Big Ten Tournament on the right footing.
Wisconsin enters off a thrilling 87-79 overtime loss at Michigan. The Badgers had victory in their sights but allowed a buzzer-beating 3-point shot to fall and send the game to overtime. The Badgers will need a completely different game plan to win Thursday vs. the inside presence of Edey.
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Purdue at Wisconsin odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:35 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Purdue -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Wisconsin +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
- Against the spread (ATS): Purdue -4.5 (-105) | Wisconsin +4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 127.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Purdue at Wisconsin picks and predictions
Prediction
Purdue 66, Wisconsin 60
Moneyline
PASS.
Purdue (-190) has the inside presence to dominate Wisconsin and while it won’t be a blowout the Boilermakers will still likely win Thursday.
However, as with any line this high, I am not willing to make straight wager of any kind.
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Against the spread
BET PURDUE -4.5 (-105).
Edey and Purdue will dominate in the paint and will get second-chance points to allow the Boilermakers to pull away just enough to cover this number.
Purdue is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games following an ATS loss and it will be able to keep this game at an arm’s length.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 127.5 (-110).
Wisconsin, especially at home, likes to slow the pace of play. Purdue will play right into this ability and neither team will look to take quick shots.
The offensive efficiency will be high, but the possessions will be low.
Wisconsin has gone Under in 4 straight home games against a team with a winning road record and in 6 straight home games overall for the Badgers.
With both teams wanting to slow the game down and neither team being an offensive powerhouse, this is likely to be a game in the low 60s. I like the Under.
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