Purdue vs Rutgers 01/28/20 NCAA Basketball Betting Odds and Pick

The 25th ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights welcome the Purdue Boilermakers at the Louis Brown Athletic Center on Tuesday night.

Rutgers split their first two games as a nationally-ranked squad last week. They are coming off a close win over Nebraska last Friday. Purdue also heads to this game after a win over Wisconsin. The Boilermakers are just 4-5 in conference play and are in 10th place in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights meanwhile are 6-3 in league games and they are currently in third place in the Big Ten. Purdue defeated Rutgers 89-54 in their last meeting on January 15, 2019.

Not as Successful

The Purdue Boilermakers started the season as the 23rd ranked team in the nation. But they have not been as successful as they were last season. Purdue is just 4-5 in conference play and they have already lost more league games this year than the previous one. If they lose to Rutgers, they will also match their overall loss total for the previous season.

Isaiah Thompson had a big game for Purdue in their 71-50 win over Wisconsin last Friday. Thompson, who averages just 5.4 points per game, put up 14 markers to lead the Boilermakers. Sasha Stefanovic added 12 points for Purdue who shot 45% from the field and won the battle of the boards 42-16.

Purdue ranks 11th in the nation in scoring defense at 60.0 opponent points per game allowed. They are scoring 67.7 points per game and are pulling down an average of 37.6 rebounds per contest while issuing an average of 13.7 assists per game. They are allowing their opponents to shoot 40.4% from the floor and 28.1% from three-point range.

Perfect Home Record

On the contrary, Rutgers is enjoying its best season since 1979 as the Scarlet Knights are nationally-ranked for the first time since that year. They are 15-5 on the year, their best start since 1983, and are 6-3 in conference play. Rutgers has a perfect home record this season and they have won 14 straight games on their home floor. They head to this game as the 25th ranked team in the nation.

Rutgers lost to #15 ranked Iowa by five points last Wednesday but bounced back with a 75-72 victory over Nebraska two days later. Geo Baker drilled the-game winning three-point basket with one second remaining. Baker is still trying to find his old form after returning from a hand injury. He entered the Nebraska game 4-18 from the field in three games since the injury.

The Scarlet Knights are scoring 71.7 points per game this season and they are allowing their opponents to put up 60.7 points per game. Rutgers is holding opponents to 37.5% field goal shooting and they are averaging 41.0 rebounds per game. The Scarlet Knights are also handing out 13.9 assists per contest.

Who Wins?

Purdue is 2-4 SU in their last six games played. The Boilermakers 1-3 SU in four road games played this season, and 15-5 SU in their last 20 January games. Rutgers is 9-2 SU in their last 11 games played. The Scarlet Knights are 14-0 SU in their last 14 games played, and 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played in January. Head to head, Purdue is 8-0 SU in their last 8 games against Rutgers.

Purdue is coming off a big win over conference rivals Wisconsin but the Boilermakers have not enjoyed the same success they had last season. Purdue has eclipsed its loss total from the previous year as far as league play is concerned. They have struggled in Big Ten play, especially on the road.

Rutgers is enjoying its most successful season since 1979. They have split their first two games as a nationally-ranked team but this team has looked invincible at home in their last 14 games on their floor. Rutgers is 1-12 SU all-time against Purdue and is 0-8 SU against the Boilermakers since joining the Big Ten in 2015. I think that changes here though.

Prediction: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Place Your Bet Here

Other Bets to Make

The Boilermakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played. Purdue is 1-3 ATS in their last four games played on the road, 2-6 ATS in their last eight games played against the Big Ten conference, and 1-4 ATS in their last five Tuesday games. The Scarlet Knights are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games played. Rutgers is 5-1 ATS in six home games played, and 8-1 ATS in their last nine games played against the Big Ten Conference. Head to head, the Boilermakers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games against the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers is having a fantastic season and they are 14-0 in their last 14 games played at home. The Louis Brown Athletic Center has been filled with energy and excitement all season long and I expect the crowd to be a big factor here. The Boilermakers are 0-4 in Big Ten road games this season and they will have a hard time cracking the Scarlet Knights at their home floor. I think Rutgers covers the spread comfortably here.

Prediction: Rutgers -3

Place Your Bet Here

The total has gone over in six out of the last nine games played by the Boilermakers. The under is 6-1 in Purdue’s last six games on the road. The total has gone under in seven out of the last nine games played by Rutgers. The under is 5-1 in the last six home games played by the Scarlet Knights. Head to head, the total has gone over in five out of the last seven games between these two teams.

Points will come a few here as these two teams are ranked in the Top 11 in the nation when it comes to defensive efficiency. Purdue plays the 8th slowest pace in the NCAA and that won’t help either. Purdue allows just 60.0 points per game while Rutgers is giving up only 60.7 points per game this year. I like these teams to play in a slow-paced defensive contest. I’m going for the under here.

Prediction: Under 123.5

Place Your Bet Here