>The Illinois Fighting Illini have a forecast 71% chance to win against The Purdue Boilermakers with a spread of -1.5/1.5 and an over/under of 148.5. The Illinois Fighting Illini are 0 – 0 against The Purdue Boilermakers in the 2021-22 Season.
— Monday, January 17th Purdue Boilermakers @ Illinois Fighting Illini
The Big Ten week gets started with a Monday morning game between two ranked teams as the No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers (14-2, 3-2) travel to face the No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3, 6-0). Illinois is the only unbeaten team in conference play, but this will be their first Big Ten game against a ranked opponent. Tip-off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is set for Noon at the State Farm Center in Champaign, airing on FOX.
Purdue leads the all-time series 102-90, but the Illini have won three in a row, including a 66-58 win in Champaign last January. The Illini are 59-36 against the Boilermakers in Champaign and are 20-1 in their last 21 against Big Ten opponents overall. Purdue last won in Champaign in February of 2018.
Purdue Offense Among Best in Nation
The Boilermakers are 8-8 ATS, and the over is 10-6 in their 16 games. Purdue and Gonzaga are the only teams in the nation to score at least 90 points in eight games this season. They rank fifth in the nation in scoring (85.6 ppg), third in field goal percentage (50.6), and third in 3-point percentage (40.1).
Purdue has only played three ranked teams this season, going 2-1. They beat North Carolina and Villanova in November before losing at home to Wisconsin two weeks ago. Purdue also has non-conference wins against NC State, Florida State and Butler.
Guard Jaden Ivey leads Purdue in scoring at 16.3 ppg, and he’s shooting 46.3 percent from 3-point range. He’s scored at least 14 points in every conference game this season and has made at least two 3-pointers in four straight games.
Center Zach Edey is averaging 15.4 ppg and 7.5 rpg while shooting 71.3 percent from the field. Guard Sasha Stefanovic has made 40 3-pointers and averages 11.2 ppg to go with a team-best 3.9 apg.
Chicago native Trevion Williams has started just four of the 16 games but is averaging 13.3 ppg and leads the team with 8.6 rpg. He has twice been named Big Ten Player of the Week this season. Led by Williams, the Purdue bench has scored at least 25 points in 11 straight games.
Cockburn, Frazier Lead Illini
Illinois is 9-7 ATS this season, and the over is 10-5-1 in their 16 games. They are 8-1 at home, with the only loss coming to Arizona back in December. The Illini are 4-0 ATS in their last four games against a winning team, and the over is 7-1-1 in their games in Champaign this season.
During their current win streak, Illinois is allowing just 58.7 ppg and holding the opposition to 37.5 percent shooting. They lead the nation in offensive rebounding percentage and have won the rebound battle in 14 of their 16 games with a +13.2 overall margin.
Center Kofi Cockburn leads the Illini with 21.9 ppg and 12.3 rebounds per game and ranks second in the nation with seven games of 20 points and ten rebounds. The junior ranks top five in the nation in both scoring and rebounding and has a double-double in nine straight games.
Guard Alfonso Plummer is averaging 15.9 ppg and leads the Big Ten in both 3-point percentage (40.0) and 3-pointers made per game (2.9). Guard Trent Frazier is averaging 13.2 ppg and 3.4 apg, and he’s scored 21 ppg in the last three Illini games. Jacob Grandison is the fourth player in double figures at 11.7 ppg, filling in for injured guard Andre Curbelo.
Betting Analysis
- Purdue Boilermakers +2.0 (-110)
- Illinois Fighting Illini -2.0 (-110)
- Total Points: 150.0 Over -105. Under -115
Illinois has won six in a row overall and have taken six straight against top-10 opponents, dating back to last season. Purdue, meanwhile, has won two straight road games against ranked teams, and they’ve lost just once away from home this season. The boards will be crucial in this one as both teams rank in the top three in the nation in rebounding margin.
Betting Pick: Illini -2 (-110)
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