Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/05/2024

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Friday, January 5, 2024

Venue:  Mackey Complex, West Lafayette, IN

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois +10, Purdue -10; Over/Under:  155.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois +10, Purdue -10; Over/Under:  155.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois +10, Purdue -10; Over/Under:  155.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  11-2 (2-0) (1st place, Big Ten)

Purdue Boilermakers:  13-1 (2-1) (3rd place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Purdue Boilermakers:  5-0  last 5

Illinois is entering this game with an 11-2 record overall, a 2-0 record in conference games, and they are 1-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Northwestern Wildcats in their last game. Marcus Domask led the team in points per game in that game with 32 while Justin Harmon was next on the team with 20. Marcus Domask led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Quincy Guerrier led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 62.5% from the field, 55.6% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 65.5 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 7-4-2 this season and their O/U record is 7-6.

Purdue is entering this game with a 13-1 record overall, a 2-1 conference record, and they are 7-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Maryland Terrapins in their last game. Zach Edey led the team in points in that game with 23 while Braden Smith was next on the team with 14. Braden Smith led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Zach Edey led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 46.3% from the field, 45% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67 PPG against them. Purdue has an ATS record of 9-3-2 this season and their O/U record is 9-5.

The current betting odds have Purdue listed as a 10 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Purdue has looked really good in their games this season with their 13-1 record overall but they are only in 3rd place of the Big Ten right now due to that loss being a conference loss. They lost to Northwestern earlier this season but they have looked great in every other game this season and have looked even better in their home games too, going 7-0 in home games this year. They also just beat Maryland by double digits on the road and they will be looking to send a message here to another ranked team in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Illinois has looked great in their games this season with their 11-2 record overall and they are at the top of the Big Ten right now with their 2-0 conference record. They haven't looked as good in their road games though with their 1-1 road record and this is a great opportunity for Purdue to establish themselves as the team to beat in the Big Ten still. Illinois is also ranked inside the top 10 this season but Purdue has the best team in the country right now and they will be looking to show why they are the best now that conference schedules have really started. The best way to place a bet here is on Purdue to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Purdue Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, January 5, 2024 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Purdue 88 Illinois 72.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 8-4 ATS in all games. 7-2 ATS as a road underdog or pick. 23-10 ATS after a win by 10 points or more. 7-0 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 9-5 OVER as an underdog. 7-2 OVER after 4 or more consecutive wins. 

Purdue Boilermakers: 6-13 ATS after allowing 60 points or less. 16-26 ATS after a win by 10 points or more. 3-12 ATS after 6 or more consecutive wins. 9-5 OVER in all games. 8-4 OVER off a road win. 9-1 OVER after a game where they covered the spread.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  T. Shannon Jr. (G) Out indefinitely - Suspension. N. Moretti (G) Out indefinitely - Leg. S. Harris (G) out for season - Redshirt.

Purdue Boilermakers:  None.

“Justin played 29 minutes off the bench tonight. He's being rewarded for his hard work.” - Brad Underwood on Justin Harmon after his team’s win against Northwestern in their last game on Tuesday.

“We really weren't that good, especially in the first half offensively. We simplified what we did. The way they change defense and the way they do things, we didn't run as much stuff tonight.” - Matt Painter after his team’s win against Maryland in their last game on Tuesday.

M. Domask 

Q. Guerrier 

C. Hawkins 

T. Rodgers 

T. Shannon

Z. Edey 

L. Jones 

T. Kaufman-Renn 

F. Loyer 

B. Smith

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (21.7)

APG: M. Domask (3.1)

Reb/G: Q. Guerrier (7.4)

PPG: Z. Edey (23.1)

APG: B. Smith (6.7)

Reb/G: Z. Edey (10.3)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (7th season)

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter (19th season)