Purdue Boilermakers vs. Indiana Hoosiers Predictions, Picks, Odds and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – February 20, 2016

The No. 17 Purdue Boilermakers have three top 50 RPI opponents left on their schedule, including a Saturday matchup with No. 22 Indiana Hoosiers. Will the Boilermakers take down Indiana in Bloomington? Or will the Hoosiers’ sizzling offense be too much for Purdue to handle?

Read on for more about this game. You can also check out our preview of Miami (FL) vs. North Carolina.

March Madness News & Predictions

2016 March Madness Sleepers Predictions and Picks

2016 March Madness Longshots and Best Long Shots Picks and Predictions

2016 March Madness Preview

2016 NCAA March Madness Expert Picks

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Indiana Hoosiers Preview

Where: Indiana University Assembly Hall, Bloomington

When: Saturday, February 20, 8:30 PM ET

Line: Purdue Boilermakers vs. Indiana Hoosiers – view all NCAA Basketball lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the Purdue Boilermakers (21-6, 9-5 Big Ten)

It was an ugly win, but the Boilermakers could care less so long as they avoid another loss, as they beat Northwestern on Tuesday, 71-61.

Purdue shot just 38.3 percent from the field and committed nine turnovers against the Wildcats, but made up for it by going gung-ho on the glass. The Boilermakers, who are second in the Big Ten with 42.3 rebounds per game, had 45 rebounds (19 offensive), while limiting Northwestern to only 27.

Controlling the boards will be crucial for Purdue this Saturday, as the Boilermakers look to slow down Indiana’s offense that generates 1.16 points per possessions.

On the flipside, Purdue’s defense ranks sixth in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency, limiting opponents to 91.9 points per 100 possessions. Furthermore, the Boilermakers allow just 63.5 points per game on 38.3 percent from field, 16th and 10th overall in the nation, respectively.

Purdue’s senior big man and leading scorer A.J. Hammons, who led the team with 18 points with 12 rebounds against Northwestern, is expected to anchor the team’s attack versus Indiana. The seven-foot center’s size and experience should play to his advantage, especially when matched up with Indiana’s freshman Thomas Bryant. On the season, Hammonds averages 14.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Purdue is 3-0 SU and ATS in its last three meetings with the Hoosiers dating back to 2014.

Create a betting account now and cash in on all the NCAAB action.

Betting on the Indiana Hoosiers (20-6, 10-3 Big Ten)

Tied with Iowa atop the Big Ten standings, the Hoosiers look to help their chances of gaining solo lead in the conference when they host Purdue this Saturday. Indiana is 10-0 SU and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games as the home team.

Up against Purdue’s tough defense, Indiana is likely to give the Boilermakers a mixed bag of tactics on offense to keep its opponent guessing. Indiana’s one of the best three-point shooting teams in the nation with 10.0 threes per game, 11th in the league. Purdue is usually great in defending against the three, but allowed opposing teams shoot 7.3 per game—higher than its season average of just 5.8.

The Hoosiers can also get it done on the fastbreak with 27.8 percent of their total shots coming via transition. Overall, the Hoosiers are 12th in Division I ball with 83.5 points per game.

Yogi Ferrell leads the team with 16.8 points per game, but gets a significant help from the likes of Troy Williams and Thomas Bryant, who put up 12.3 and 11.9 points per game, respectively. Williams bounced back from a zero-point game in the loss to Michigan State on Sunday, by going off for 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting in their 80-64 win over Nebraska on Wednesday.

Writer’s Prediction

Indiana wins, 72-69