Purdue vs Wisconsin: Betting Odds, Starting Lineups, Picks, and Predictions (3/1/22)
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Purdue vs Wisconsin Betting Odds
With Purdue’s loss to Michigan State, Wisconsin is now atop the Big Ten standings. If Wisconsin wins out, the Badgers will be the Big Ten regular-season champions.
But don’t expect the Boilermakers to roll over and let the Badgers take it.
Purdue is still just a game behind Wisconsin, and this adds up to a revenge spot for Matt Painter and co. Wisconsin beat Purdue back on Jan. 3.
This game is, essentially, the biggest game of the Big Ten season.
Who has the edge?
Purdue Boilermakers Odds
Purdue’s defense is terribly concerning.
The team can’t stop opposing backcourts. The ball-screen defense is atrocious. Savvy guards and bigger ball-handlers can attack over-and-over-and-over again, and Painter’s squad is unable to stop it.
That’s what AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker did in the last game, as Sparty finished with a 20:10 assist-to-turnover ratio.
However, the Purdue offense can out-score its own defense.
In the Spartan game, Zach Edey and Trevion Williams were unstoppable against Marcus Bingham Jr. The two combined for 36 points on 15-for-24 shooting and the team outrebounded the Spartans by a 34-to-24 margin.
The Boilermakers also shot just 1-for-9 from 3 and Edey was called out for numerous atrocious fouls.
This foul on Zach Edey handed michigan state this win. @B1GMBBall refs are some of the worst in cbb. This is the definition of a hook and hold pic.twitter.com/YZpADBPiub
— Joseph Hartzell (@J_Hart32) February 26, 2022
Big Ten director of officiating Rick Boyages should call a meeting on Monday to address his refs about how to fairly call fouls for/against Zach Edey. Been inconsistent at best today in East Lansing. Let’s not have this be a thing affecting games in March.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) February 26, 2022
I’m expecting a big bounce-back performance from Purdue on Tuesday. The key will be getting Sasha Stefanovic involved again. The Boilermakers’ best shooter can’t be attempting only three shots, as Purdue wins over 85% of the games that Stefanovic scores double-digits.
Wisconsin Badgers Odds
Wisconsin is just good.
The Badgers have won four straight games, including three on the road. All in the Big Ten, where home court is often considered the strongest of any conference.
In Wisconsin’s last five wins, Wooden Award candidate Johnny Davis is averaging 22.2 points per game.
I posted Jaden Ivey as my wish PG but some of you said that's not gonna happen, and you're probably right. What is within our reach is Jaden's former teammate (JD) Johnny Davis should be there for us. pic.twitter.com/oYY29JF1Ja
— Tony Banks (@hiphopstolen) February 28, 2022
He’s a true three-level scorer and a tough kid who manages to force his way to any spot on the floor. He scores through a lot of contact while being one of the Big Ten’s highest-usage players. All-in-all, Davis is a stud.
He also carries the Wisconsin offense, which is important because there aren’t a lot of other offensive options. Instead, Wisconsin relies on its defense to contain teams while Davis cooks.
However, Greg Gard is good enough to out-scheme other Big Ten coaches. He deserves National Coach of the Year recognition for how Wisconsin has out-performed expectations.
Just look at this set from late in the game against Rutgers. On the road. With the Big Ten title on the line.
Greg Gard should put this clip in his Coach of the Year portfolio pic.twitter.com/qohFqkszAs
— Bart T🏀rvik (@totally_t_bomb) February 27, 2022
Wisconsin is a very good basketball team.
Purdue vs Wisconsin Prediction and Pick
My pick: Purdue -2.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
This is a classic bounce-back spot for Purdue. Especially since it needs a win to get back to the top of the standings.
Meanwhile, all the pressure is on Wisconsin, who just needs to win to hold on the Big Ten regular-season title.
Add in the revenge factor, and this feels like a great spot to back the Boilermakers.
Wisconsin will have plenty of success between Davis and Brad Davison. But Purdue’s offense should pop off in this one after a 1-for-9 3-point performance against Sparty. You can’t keep Purdue down for too long.
Give me the Boilermakers on the road in this one.
