The Purdue Boilermakers (9-6, 2-2 Big Ten) and Michigan Wolverines (10-4, 1-2 Big Ten) tip it off at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor at 7 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Purdue-Michigan odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.
The Wolverines are ranked 19th in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.
Purdue at Michigan: Three things you need to know
1. Like their rivals to the south in Ohio, the Wolverines are stumbling lately. They’re just 2-3 straight up and against the spread, including an ugly 87-69 smack in the mouth in East Lansing last time out on Jan. 5.
2. Purdue hasn’t exactly been lighting the world afire, either, as they are just 3-3 SU/2-4 ATS across the past six, and they managed just 37 total points in a 26-point loss at Illinois on Jan. 5.
3. The Wolverines rank 18th in the nation in field-goal percentage at 48.3, and they’re a respectable 37.5 percent from behind the 3-point arc, checking in 35th.
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Purdue at Michigan: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Michigan 71, Purdue 62
Moneyline (ML)
Avoid the chalk on the Wolverines (-250) and play the spread instead in search of a great profit margin.
Against the Spread (ATS)
MICHIGAN (-5.5, -110) has burned me before, including its loss at Illinois earlier in the season when I was positive they’d roll the Illini. That was actually the start of their skid. They’re hosting a very marginal Purdue (+5.5, -110) side at home, and I fully expect Jon Teske, Zavier Simpson and company to come out on fire.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 128.5 (-110) seems super low considering Michigan throws down 78.3 points per game on average. It’s mainly because Purdue’s offense is awful, as the Boilermakers average just 68.2 PPG to rank 260th in the country. Defensively, they slow it down like Virginia, allowing 59.1 PPG to rank 12th in the nation. Still, I expect Michigan’s offense to make it happen and push it over the line.
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