Wisconsin Badgers vs Purdue Boilermakers – NCAA Basketball Preview – Feb 15, 2025
Wisconsin travels to Mackey Arena to take on Purdue in a key Big Ten matchup on February 15. The Badgers are 19-5 and sit in fourth place in the conference, while the Boilermakers are 19-6 and in second place. This game could impact both teams’ seeding in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.
Wisconsin won the last meeting between these teams, beating Purdue 76-75 in March. The Badgers are coming off a 74-63 win over Iowa, while Purdue lost to Michigan 75-73. Wisconsin leads Division I in free throw percentage, and Purdue needs to avoid foul trouble to stay competitive.
Purdue Preview – Can They Bounce Back at Home?
Purdue is looking to rebound from a close loss to Michigan. The Boilermakers struggled at the free-throw line in that game, only attempting eight shots while Michigan had 26 attempts. Trey Kaufman-Renn led Purdue with 22 points, but the team lacked scoring from the bench.
Braden Smith had 24 points and continues to be a key playmaker, averaging 8.7 assists per game. Fletcher Loyer contributes 13.8 points per game and shoots 45.1% from three. Purdue is strong at home, holding a 12-1 record at Mackey Arena this season.
Defense will be crucial in this game. Purdue gives up 68.9 points per game, ranking 91st in the country. They must find a way to limit Wisconsin’s efficient offense and keep them off the free-throw line.
Wisconsin Preview – Free Throws and Defense Leading the Way
Wisconsin comes into this game after a solid win over Iowa. John Tonje led the way with 22 points, including a big scoring run in the second half. The Badgers’ defense held Iowa well below their season average, showing they can control games on both ends of the floor.
Wisconsin is averaging 81 points per game, the most under head coach Greg Gard. They also lead Division I in free throw shooting at 84.1%. Their ability to get to the line and convert could be a major factor against Purdue.
John Blackwell, Max Klesmit, and Nolan Winter all average double figures, giving the Badgers multiple scoring options. Wisconsin is 4-4 on the road this season and will need to be efficient offensively to keep up with Purdue.
Betting Prediction
Purdue is a strong home team, but Wisconsin’s ability to get to the free-throw line and control tempo makes them a tough opponent. The Badgers have covered the spread in 10 of their last 15 road games. Purdue has won 30 of their last 38 games outright but has struggled in close matchups.
The total has gone over in eight of the last ten meetings between these teams. Wisconsin’s scoring efficiency and Purdue’s home-court advantage could make this another high-scoring game. Expect a close contest, but Wisconsin’s ability to convert at the line gives them the edge to cover.
Pick: Wisconsin Badgers +5.5
This should be a really good Big Ten Basketball game. Nothing like a Friday night stand alone type game. Look for a great game to be played!
