12:00 p.m. ET: Purdue Boilermakers (14-2) at Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3)

Spread: Illinois -1
Total: 148

The #7 Purdue Boilermakers visit the #25 Illinois Fighting Illini after Zach Edey scored 22 points in Purdue’s 92-65 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Boilermakers have gone 3-2 against Big Ten opponents. Purdue leads the Big Ten with 18.6 assists. The Fighting Illini are 8-1 in home games. Illinois leads the Big Ten in rebounding, averaging 39.6 boards. In this matchup, Purdue will have to figure out how to contain Kofi Cockburn and Illinois will have to figure out how to contain Zack Edey and Trevion Williams. Illinois is playing well in recent games but they haven’t faced the same caliber of opponents as the Boilermakers. The Fighting Illini have won the last 3 matchups between these teams which will usually have a team and their coach more focused on a win. Illinois is coming off a tough game against Michigan while Purdue had an easy blowout of the Cornhuskers which puts Purdue in a better spot. Purdue has the better big men with better guards especially from 3-point range however Illinois can knock down the three-ball but when they aren’t hitting they struggle to score. The Boilermakers have the better team with the better chances here. Take Purdue and the Under in this early tip-off. 

Trends

• The Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
   

The Bookie:          Purdue +1 / Under 148
Fade the Public:   Purdue / Under
Sharp Action:       Purdue / Under