Purdue is in an interesting spot in tonight's game with another chance to play spoiler against a top Big 10 opponent. They just knocked off Wisconsin on the road and have held their last 3 opponents to 33% shooting from the field. I see no hang over after beating Wisconsin because this team is not going to the NCAA Tournament. At this point they are taking one game at a time and looking to improve for next year, but if they win tonight all of a sudden this team could have a shot if they go deep in the Big Ten Tournament.
Michigan on the other hand came off a huge win against their rival Michigan State by one point in a physical game something they are not accustomed to winning. They beat Purdue at home by 15 points the first time and likely won't take them seriously as they look ahead to facing Indiana with revenge at home on Saturday. This is your classic look ahead and Purdue does a lot of things well enough to win this game. In the first match up Purdue only shot 38.9% and were -3 FTA, -7 rebounds and -2 TO, while Michigan shot 49.1% and 43% from three. I don't see that happening Purdue actually has played better overall defense in conference play and at home they are holding opponents to 40.7% from 2 point range 31.6% from 3 point range. They are also +3.9 FTA, +7.5 rebound and +0.5 TO whiel Mich is -2.7 FTA, -1.1 rebounds. I like Purdue to have some success shooting the ball tonight too. They'll take 78.2% of their shots form inside the arch and that's where Michigan's weakness is defensively. The Wolverines are ranked 167th overall allowing 47.2% and 48% on the road. I see Purdue getting their revenge tonight.
0.5* BONUS PARLAY ML'S NEBRASKA/PURDUE +1250
Minnesota +7.5 -105 (2.5* play)
I like the Huskers in this spot. Minnesota is off a huge 29 point win and what I've learned about this team so far this season is they get a little too arrogant at times. They already beat Nebraska by 19 points this season, but the Gophers on the road has not been a good thing. Just 1-6 in conference play and they continue to lose by more and more points, 1, 11, 21, and 26 in their last 4 road games. Meanwhile Nebraska has played well enough at home to beat some good teams as they have keeped all 4 of these games in single digits (Iowa, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State). They covered all of those games. I don't like Minnesota's ability to score on the road and Nebraska's 43.3% defense at home is pretty impressive and would be in the top 50 for overall 2 point defense. I see Minnesota having some issues scoring as they are just 44.6% on the road from two point range where they shoot 70% of their shots.
