Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Purdue Boilermakers Preview
Where: Mackey Arena — West Lafayette, Indiana
When: Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+19) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (-19) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: BTN
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Betting on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (13-13, 2-11 Big Ten)
Point Spread: +19
Rutgers has lost two in a row, five of its last six contests; and continues to dwell alone in the basement of the Big Ten. This should explain why they’re close to 20-point underdogs in tonight’s matchup with 16th-ranked Purdue.
However, there’s a reason to be optimistic. The Scarlet Knights have been playing competitive basketball of late, dropping seven of their previous 10 games by only single-digits—including a seven-point loss to then No. 16 Wisconsin and, more recently, a 72-63 setback to Minnesota on Saturday.
The lack of efficiency at the charity stripe remains an issue for Rutgers, which ranks 344th nationally in free-throw shooting (61.6%) and 310th in points (66.6 PPG). The team went 10-of-22 from the free-throw line against the Golden Gophers.
There are four players currently scoring in double figures for the Scarlet Knights, who are 3-2 against the spread in their past five games. Sophomore Corey Sanders leads them with 13.1 points per outing. He’s also finished with 10 or more points in 11 of the last 10 games.
Betting on the Purdue Boilermakers (20-5, 9-3 Big Ten)
Point Spread: -19
No. 16 Purdue manhandled Rutgers in last season’s lone meeting, winning it by a lopsided final score of 107-57. A repeat of this massacre could be in the making, considering how well the Boilermakers look right now.
They’ve won six of their last seven games—including the last three—and have won four-straight at home by an average margin of 20 points since the 91-82 overtime loss versus Minnesota. Purdue is tied for second-place with Maryland in the Big Ten, while being only a game behind first-place Wisconsin. Thus, every remaining game is so important.
National Player of the Year candidate Caleb Swanigan leads the Boilermakers with 19.0 points and 12.8 rebounds this season. He also boasts a nation-high 21 double-doubles and will aim for his eight-consecutive one later. The sophomore forward put up 16 points and 14 boards in Purdue’s testy win (69-64) at Indiana last Thursday.
The Boilermakers are 14-2 at home games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Purdue (-19) wins, but doesn’t cover.
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