In Big Ten Basketball action, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are on the road at the Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday. Minnesota sits at 15-8 on the season, and in the middle of the Big Ten standings. The Golden Gophers are coming off a tough loss on the road at Iowa on Sunday. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
For Purdue, they started the week ranked #2 in the country. The Boilermakers are 22-2 on the season, and have won eight straight games. Purdue’s latest win was at home over the Indiana Hoosiers by 20 points.
Purdue is a monster favorite at home in this game. The Boilermakers are -16.5 over Minnesota. The total for this affair is set at 146.5.
Future Big Ten Champs
The Purdue Boilermakers are doing nearly everything right this season. With just two losses on the season, looking at their top stats, they tell the story. The Boilermakers are scoring 85.1 points per game, which is the fifth best in College Basketball. The three point shooting is fourth, making 40% of them.
Zach Edey is the talk of the country for Purdue. He is likely to win the National Player of the year. The giant in the pain is scoring more than 23 points per game. Overlooked has been the play of Lance Jones and Braden Smith though. They are coming for more than 25 points per game.
Purdue is on the road at Ohio State on Sunday, and then will finish February with a home game and then a road game. The Boilermakers host Rutgers, and then go on the road to Michigan.
Minnesota Seeking Big Win
The Minnesota Golden Gophers could really use a massive signature type win to hype their resume. Minnesota started February strong with back to back wins over Northwestern and Michigan State. Both were at home. But, the road loss to Iowa has them back scratching their heads. Minnesota also lost four straight near the end of January.
The Gophers are scoring 76.1 points per game. The top scorer so far this season for Minnesota has been Dawson Garcia. He is currently questionable in this game with a lower body injury. He led Minnesota in the loss at Iowa with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Next is Cam Christie, with 11.3 points per game.
Minnesota is at home for their next two games. They will host Rutgers and then Ohio State, before ending February with back to back road games. They will make trips to Nebraska and then Illinois.
Purdue Rolls Minnesota
Matt Painter and his Purdue Boilermakers are going to win their 9th straight game. Purdue is on the verge of sealing the deal on a Big Ten Conference title. That is to no one’s surprise, as they were the pick to win it from the beginning. Minnesota will stick around in this game, but the Boilermakers are going to win the game. The final bet for this game is the Minnesota Golden Gophers +16.5 over the Purdue Boilermakers. Best of luck and enjoy the game!
