Wisconsin at Purdue: Big Ten Betting Preview & Best Bet!

Wisconsin Badgers (19-5 SU, 16-8 ATS) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (19-6 SU, 15-10 ATS)

When: Saturday, February 15th, 1:00 PM (ET)

Where: Mackey Arena, IN, West Lafayette

TV: CBS

Point Spread: WISC +5.5/PUR -5.5

Total: 147.5

Money Line: Wisconsin Badgers +190/-240

Notable Injuries

Badgers

Boilermakers

• Daniel Jacobsen (Out) Knee

Recent Form

Wisconsin improved to 19-5 on the season with a 74-63 road win over Iowa on Saturday. The Badgers entered the game as -5.5 favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 137 fell well short of the 162.5 O/U line.

After trailing 39-37 at halftime, Wisconsin clamped down defensively, allowing just 24 points in the second half while scoring 37 of their own.

Purdue Boilermakers Recent Game/Games

Purdue’s record dropped to 19-6 after a narrow 75-73 loss to Michigan on Tuesday. The Boilermakers, who were +3 point underdogs, covered the spread in the loss. The total points for the game were 148, falling short of the 152.5 O/U line.

Purdue led 37-35 at halftime but allowed 40 points in the 2nd half while scoring 36. The Boilermakers will look to bounce back after this close defeat.

Analysis

Wisconsin put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 39.3% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 49.2%. They connected on 12 threes, shooting 34.3% from deep, and were solid at the free-throw line, hitting 82.4% of their attempts.

John Tonje led the way with 22 points, adding six rebounds and four assists. John Blackwell contributed 19 points, hitting 3 of 7 from beyond the arc, while Josh Dix knocked down 3 of 6 threes, finishing with 13 points.

Wisconsin’s defense held their opponent to 63 points, with a field goal percentage of 38% (24/63). They limited two-point shooting to 42% (16/38).

From beyond the arc, Wisconsin’s defense allowed eight threes on 25 attempts (32%). They sent their opponent to the line 9 times, where they made seven free throws (77%).

Braden Smith led Purdue’s offense in their last game, scoring 24 points and hitting 4 of 9 from beyond the arc while also dishing out five assists. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 22 points, shooting 57.9% from the field and grabbing seven rebounds.

As a team, Purdue shot 43.5% overall, with a 35% mark from three-point range and an effective field goal percentage of 49.3%. They also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and had just seven assists in the game.

Despite Purdue’s defensive efforts, they gave up 75 points, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. Purdue allowed 18 two-point baskets on 33 attempts, a 54% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Purdue’s defense held the other team to 7 threes on 23 attempts, a 30% shooting performance. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 26 times, where they converted 18 free throws, shooting 69%.

Betting Trends

• In their last five road games, Wisconsin has averaged 76 points per game while allowing 72. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 4-1 vs. the spread.
• The Boilermakers are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games and 2-1 straight-up.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Wisconsin has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• The Boilermakers have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

We have a good Big 10 matchup early on Saturday, as #16 Wisconsin is on the road to face #7 Purdue. Wisconsin is 3-0 in February so far, while Purdue just lost a tough one to Michigan. The Badgers have a chance to gain a game on the Boilermakers in the standings, as Wisconsin sits at nine wins in the conference, and Purdue has 11. Purdue has only one loss at home this season, and I don’t see that changing today. I’m going with Purdue to cover at -5.5.