Purdue Boilermakers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/05/2024

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Venue:  State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

Where to Watch:  Peacock

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Purdue +1, Illinois -1; Over/Under:  164.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Purdue +1, Illinois -1; Over/Under:  164.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Purdue +1, Illinois -1; Over/Under:  164.5 points

Purdue Boilermakers:  26-3 (15-3) (1st place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  22-7 (13-5) (2nd place, Big Ten)

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Purdue Boilermakers:  4-1  last 5

Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Purdue is entering this game with a 26-3 record overall, a 15-3 record in conference games, and they are 6-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Michigan State Spartans in their last game. Zach Edey led the team in points per game in that game with 32 while Braden Smith was next on the team with 23. Zach Edey and Mason Gillis each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Zach Edey led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 51% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.2 PPG against them. Purdue has an ATS record of 15-12-2 this season and their O/U record is 20-9.

Illinois is entering this game with a 22-7 record overall, a 13-5 conference record, and they are 15-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Wisconsin Badgers in their last game. Marcus Domask led the team in points in that game with 31 while Terrence Shannon Jr. was next on the team with 23. Marcus Domask led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Marcus Domask led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 51.8% from the field, 56.3% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 73.2 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 15-11-3 this season and their O/U record is 21-8.

The current betting odds have Purdue listed as a 1 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Purdue has looked great in their games this season with their 26-3 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country and also ranked as one of the best in the nation. They have looked great in the Big Ten this year with their 15-3 conference record which has them leading the conference and they have also been a really good road team too with their 6-3 road record. Meanwhile, Illinois has also looked really good in their games this season with their 22-7 record overall which also has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country, but not ranked as high as Purdue. Illinois has also been good in the Big Ten this season with their 13-5 conference record which has them right near the top and they have been great on their home court too with their 15-2 home record. Both of these teams have been hot lately with 4-1 records in their last 5 games, but Purdue has a lot of momentum on their side right now with 3 wins in a row and they recently lost a road game to Ohio State so they are going to bring their best effort here to ensure they don't lose another game for the rest of the season. Illinois also has 3 wins in a row now but their losses this season have come against much weaker teams than Purdue's losses and in a game like this between two of the best in the Big Ten, Purdue will be looking to use this game as a way to send a statement. The best way to place a bet here is on Purdue to cover the spread in this game. 

Purdue Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Purdue 83 Illinois 76.

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Purdue Boilermakers: 18-26 ATS as a road underdog of 3 points or less or pick. 23-38 ATS against conference opponents. 10-18 ATS after failing to cover the spread in 2 or more consecutive games. 20-9 OVER in all games. 12-6 OVER against conference opponents. 11-6 OVER after 3 or more consecutive wins.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 6-1 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 10-5 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 8-3 ATS after scoring 75 points or more in 5 straight games. 21-8 OVER in all games. 16-7 OVER as a favorite. 15-3 OVER against conference opponents.

Purdue Boilermakers:  None.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  M. Williams (G) Ques Tues - Undisclosed.

“A great accomplishment to win back-to-back. It’s hard. You play 20 (conference) games. Just happy for our entire team, but really our seniors. They’ve done things the right way.” - Matt Painter after his team’s win against MSU in their last game on Saturday.

“To come home, most guys get a little amped, get a little nervous, and that becomes the moment, is worrying about all that other stuff. He just focuses on the game, and that's a unique quality, it really is.” - Brad Underwood after his team’s win against Wisconsin in their last game on Saturday.

Z. Edey 

L. Jones 

T. Kaufman-Renn 

F. Loyer 

B. Smith

M. Domask 

Q. Guerrier 

C. Hawkins 

T. Rodgers 

T. Shannon

PPG: Z. Edey (24)

APG: B. Smith (7.1)

Reb/G: Z. Edey (11.8)

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (22)

APG: M. Domask (3.4)

Reb/G: Q. Guerrier (6.7)

Coaches:

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter (19th season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (7th season)