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The Northwestern Wildcats (10-4, 1-2 Big Ten) and No. 22 Purdue Boilermakers (10-4, 2-1) meet Sunday. Tip-off from Mackey Arena is set for 2 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Northwestern vs. Purdue odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Northwestern’s 4-game win streak ended Thursday in an 84-80 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions. Despite the defeat, they covered as 4.5-point road underdogs as the Over 144.5 hit. G Brooks Barnhizer had a huge game, posting 20 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and a block. F Nick Martinelli also contributed with 18 points and 5 rebounds.
Purdue secured its second straight win Thursday, defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers 81-61. They easily covered as 5.5-point road favorites as the Over 135.5 hit. G Fletcher Loyer led the way with 24 points while G Braden Smith delivered a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists, adding 6 rebounds and a steal.
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Northwestern at Purdue odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 12:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Northwestern +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Purdue -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northwestern +6.5 (+100) | Purdue -6.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Northwestern at Purdue picks and predictions
Prediction
Purdue 74, Northwestern 71
Moneyline
PASS.
Purdue (-350) will earn a hard fought victory at home, but the Wildcats (+260) will give them a run for their money. I’ll take my wager to the spread.
Against the spread
BET NORTHWESTERN +6.5 (+100).
I’m all in on Northwestern with the points, especially at even money. The Wildcats have covered the spread in 7 straight games against solid teams like Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, and UNLV. They’ve also covered in their last 3 matchups against Purdue.
Meanwhile, Purdue has failed to cover in 3 of its last 4 outings, including their last at Mackey Arena. Northwestern’s defense is no joke, holding teams to 65.3 points per game (PPG), fourth-best in the Big Ten. With Barnhizer and Martinelli each averaging 20 PPG, the Wildcats are tough to stop.
Purdue isn’t a high-scoring juggernaut, averaging 77.3 PPG (14th in the Big Ten). All signs point to the Wildcats keeping this one close.
Over/Under
BET OVER 137.5 (-110).
Purdue and Northwestern have both gone Over in 4 of their last 6 games. Their last 2 matchups hit the Over too, with the Jan. 31, 2024, game topping 200 total points. Purdue is the best 3-point shooting team in the Big Ten, knocking down 39.6%. Together, these teams average 152.3 PPG, so the Over feels like a solid play here.
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