Penn State vs. Purdue prediction, pick
The Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Purdue Boilermakers. Our college basketball odds series contains our Penn State Purdue prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Penn State Purdue.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are in the middle of the bubble in seeking an NCAA Tournament bid. The Big Ten is in a big basketball jam this year, which is really crazy. Purdue is in a dominant and comfortable first place, but the teams from second to 12th place are all very tightly mixed. Northwestern was the lone second-place holder heading into Tuesday, but lost to Iowa to drop in the standings. Northwestern, however, dropped 16 points at home to 12th-ranked Ohio State earlier this season. There is no clear pecking order for most teams in the conference. It could easily be that at the Big Ten tournament in March, the No. 8 or No. 9 seed would be significantly superior to the No. 3 or No. 4 seed simply because the conference record difference could be of a game (this could separate five-seeded teams), but the lower seed will have a vastly superior body of work in non-conference play and will be a generally more formidable and impressive team. Penn State recently crushed Michigan. The size of that win helped, but Michigan is one of the few Big Ten teams that’s almost certain not to make the NCAA Tournament. Penn State will have to beat NCAA tournament quality teams to feel good about its chances.
Purdue — currently the favorite to be the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Tournament in six weeks — is the highest quality victory Penn State could hope for.
Here are the Penn State-Purdue college basketball odds, courtesy of FanDuel:
College basketball odds: Penn State-Purdue odds
Penn State Nittany Lions: +9.5 (-110)
Purdue Boilermakers: -9.5 (-110)
Plus: 135.5 (-110)
Minus: 135.5 (-110)
How to watch Penn State vs. Purdue
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports App and FuboTV
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. PT
*Watch Penn State-Purdue LIVE with fuboTV (Click for Free Trial)*
Why Penn State might cover the spread
The Nittany Lions are going to be desperate in this game. They just played a brilliant game against Michigan, so they will come to Mackey Arena in West Lafayette feeling good about themselves and what they can accomplish. Purdue just blew up Michigan State, but it was a rematch of a game that was very, very close. Purdue was more likely to tear this game up and win big. This Penn State team played Purdue well for a half at Happy Valley several weeks ago, but were then scratched in the second half. It should be a learning experience for this team, who will adjust and play a fuller 40-minute game instead of the 20-minute game they played last against this Purdue heavyweight team. .
Why Purdue might cover the spread
The Boilermakers are the best team in the Big Ten. It is perhaps the best team in the country. They’re in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It’s really very simple: they have Zach Edey, and no one else has him. Edey might be the best of the many big men coach Matt Painter has cultivated at Purdue over the years. He scores over any defenders he’s up against, and when overrun by a predictable double or triple team, he throws the ball to the perimeter for wide-opening 3-point shots. Purdue has hit enough to become a supreme headache for opposing defenses throughout the season.
Penn State-Purdue Final Prediction and Picks
Penn State is a desperate team, and that desperation could be the difference here. The ultimate advice is to stay away from this game, but if you insist on a pick, lean towards the Lions.
Penn State-Purdue final prediction and pick: Penn State +9.5