The Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3) travel to West Lafayette to take on the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers (7-0) Sunday at 5 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Minnesota vs. Purdue odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
A legitimate argument can be made that Purdue should be the No. 1 team in the nation. The Boilermakers may have the best resume of any team this far into the season. It includes victories against No. 7 Duke and No. 2 Gonzaga by 19 and 18 points, respectively, and the Boilermakers are also the only team to beat 6-1 West Virginia.
All-American Zach Edey paces the Purdue team of veterans with 22.1 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. He will dominate again in this game, and it will make a tough time for the Gophers to win in West Lafayette.
The Golden Gophers covered as 10.5 underdogs in a 67-57 loss to Virginia Tech last Monday, so they are well rested. They will need their strength to compete with what looks to be the best team in the Big Ten. This will be a tough test for Minnesota. If they win, it could go a long way to deciding a tournament bid for them in March.
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Minnesota at Purdue odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:06 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Minnesota +875 (bet $100 to win $875) | Purdue -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Minnesota +18.5 (-105) | Purdue -18.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 130.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Minnesota at Purdue picks and predictions
Prediction
Purdue 74, Minnesota 51
Moneyline
PASS.
With a moneyline this high, it is not worth the risk to make a play. Purdue is going to win. But it is not acceptable to make a straight wager on a -2500 line for any game or sport.
Against the spread
BET PURDUE -18.5 (-115).
This is difficult as the O/U of 130.5 would make you think the game would be closer then 19 points. But with the way Purdue is stuffing teams on defense, this is not the case. Beating West Virginia by 12, Gonzaga by 18 and Duke by 19 is quite impressive for a Boilermakers team looking to win the Big Ten and get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They are well on their way.
Edey is the front-runner for the Naismith Award as player of the year and he should take over this game from the center position. Do not sleep on this Purdue team in March and certainly do not sleep on them in this game. Take Purdue -18.5 (-115) as my favorite play.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 130.5 (-115).
Edey and the Boilermakers will dominate the rebounds in this game and limit the number of put back attempts the Golden Gophers receive. On the other end, Purdue will also dominate the post and muscle Minnesota around. This will be physical and low scoring. But it will be Purdue that comes out on top and wins this battle.
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