Written by :
Published on :
It’s a big “early” battle in the Big Ten Friday evening, the No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (11-2, 2-0 conference) visiting the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (13-1, 2-1) at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue is 7-0 at home this season, winning the last three games in this series.
Both teams come in hot, the Illini having won four games in a row, while the Boilermakers have won their last six. Through Wednesday, Purdue was 15th in scoring (85.4 points per game), while Illinois ranked 19th (83.9 points/game).
This won’t decide the champ, but it’s a good barometer among the elite in the conference.
Lines weren’t available, though the home side is undoubtedly going to be favored, according to college basketball odds.
Illini’s Difficult “D”
The Illinois Fighting Illini began the new year by drilling the Northwestern Wildcats (more about them later), 96-66. Behind Marcus Domask’s 32 points, the Illlini hit 62½ percent of the shots.
Domask (13.2 points/game) has become the first option since leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. (21.7 points/game) was dismissed after a rape charge.
Quincy Guerrier and Coleman Hawkins average 11 and 10.3 points/game, respectively, the pair adding a combined 13 rebounds per contest.
One of the trademarks of the Illinois basketball team is its defense, allowing the other guys (through Wednesday) a field-goal success rate of 37.8 percent (fifth in nation).
In the mundane basketball sense, Shannon’s banishment is obviously going to affect the team, especially as it gets deeper into conference play.
Back to Mackey
The Purdue Boilermakers return home after disposing of the Maryland Terrapins, 67-52, this past Tuesday. Player of the Year candidate Zach Edey (23 points, 12 rebounds) led the way as the visitors held the Terps to 1-of-3 (actually 21-of-63) in field-goal accuracy.
Purdue defeated ranked opponents Gonzaga, Marquette and Tennessee. Only a 92-88 stumble at Northwestern a month ago has denied Purdue a perfect ledger to this point in the season.
Edey (23.1 points/game, 10.3 rebounds/game) has been ably assisted by Braden Smith (12.9 points/game), Fletcher Lover (11.3 points/game) and Lance Jones (10.9 points/game), providing balance to the Boilermakers.
Purdue Scared, But…
Purdue is the current 17-2 (+850) favorite to win the title, Illinois at 50-1 (+5000), as per men’s college basketball championship odds.
There’s no denying this Illinois team can beat anyone in the country, but without Shannon and playing on the road, it’s a challenge.
The Fighting Illini just don’t have anyone to defend Edey inside, which is where Purdue figures to try to get the ball.
We’re not confident Purdue is going to cover the spread as favorites, though we expect the Boilermakers to win. Take them as a moneyline proposition Friday evening.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
