Top-ranked Purdue Is A Double-Digit Favorite Against No. 9 Illinois
The Illinois vs Purdue Betting Tips Shows That Purdue Has Thrived As a Double-Digit Favorite
Can The Fighting Illini Hang Around Without Its Leading Scorer?
A top-10 matchup comes to West Lafayette when Illinois hits the road to take on No. 1 Purdue. When looking at the Illinois vs Purdue betting tips, the Boilermakers have won the last three games in the season.
According to the NCAAB point spreads today, Purdue is a 10-point favorite, although the line could move again after fluctuating between 9.5-10.5. It is the first time between the Boilermakers and Fighting Illini in the last seven games to feature a double-digit line. Purdue is 4-0 outright and against the spread in its last four conference games as a double-digit favorite.
Purdue has won 10 of its last 11 home games against Illinois. The Fighting Illini have covered in five of those games.
Illinois’ leading scorer, Terrance Shannon, has been suspended indefinitely while freshman guard Niccolo Moretti is out with a leg injury.
For Purdue, forward Mason Gillis is slowed by illness, but he is expected to play.
A quick peek at the college basketball schedule shows that Purdue is 4-0 against ranked teams, with Illinois 1-2 versus top 25 squads.
Illinois and Wisconsin sit atop the Big Ten NCAAB standings with 2-0 records, with Purdue being one of four teams 2-1 in Big Ten play.
Purdue received 72 of the 95 first-place votes in the two national polls to remain at No. 1. Illinois moved up two spots to No. 9 in the Associated Press poll and went from ninth to eighth in the USA Today Coaches poll.
Purdue has the best odds at +220 to reach the Final Four, with Illinois priced at +1200 in the odds of advancing to the Final Four.
Illinois vs Purdue 
Day/Time: Illinois 11-2 (2-0 in the Big Ten); Purdue 13-1 (2-1 in the Big Ten)
Day/Time:
Location: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Stream FS1
Ugly Situation At Illinois
Chicago native Terrance Shannon Jr. returned to Illinois to suit up for the Fighting Illini after three seasons at Texas Tech.
He immediately impacted last season, averaging 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists. His scoring average jumped to 21.7 this season. However, Shannon may never play for Illinois again.
He has been charged with rape and suspended from the program.
His lawyer said that Shannon is innocent of those charges. Can that be proven before the end of the season?
Shannon hasn’t played since a Dec. 22 win over Missouri when he recorded his second 30-point game of the season.
When looking at the Illinois vs Purdue betting tips, keep in mind that Illinois defeated Fairleigh Dickinson and Northwestern without Shannon, with the Fighting Illini having the 74-37 advantage in bench points.
Illinois has covered against the Las Vegas odds in its last nine games.
Boilermakers Get Defensive
The Purdue players didn’t need to be reminded of the recent history of trips to face Maryland.
After losing the last four games at Maryland, the Boilermakers were determined to flip the script. It was done with defense as Purdue limited Maryland to 33% shooting, and that included the Terrapins missing 17 of their 22 3-pointers. That is one of the factors to consider when analyzing potential Illinois vs Purdue betting tips.
Purdue did this while being called for just seven fouls in the game and none on National Player of the Year front-runner Zach Edey.
The total has gone over in seven of Purdue’s last 10 games and in four of the previous five home dates against Illinois.
Last Meeting
Purdue scored 47 points in the first half and then held off a second-half rally by Illinois for the 76-71 win, as the Boilermakers were 7-of-8 from the foul line in the final minute. Illinois did cover as the 6.5-point underdog. The game went over the 140-point total with 15 seconds left to play.
It was the third straight matchup between Purdue and Illinois to finish over the total.
Illinois vs Purdue Betting Preview
Both teams made statements in their first game of the new year. Purdue ended its losing ways on the road against Maryland while 32 points from senior Marcus Domask powered Illinois to a surprisingly easy 30-point win over Northwestern.
Purdue is 7-0 at home this season, while Illinois is 1-1 on the road.
Illinois has covered in four of its last six games against Purdue.
The Boilermakers are 9-1 outright as a favorite this season. Illinois won its only game as an underdog.
The teams are a combined 19-7-1 against the spread. Purdue has covered in five of its seven NCAAB home games, and Illinois is 2-0 against the spread on the road.
The total has gone over in five of the last six games played by the Fighting Illini. The total is set at 154 in this matchup.
Purdue is a solid pick to take care of business at home. However, the 10-point spread seems a little bit on the high side.
- For NCAAB picks and parlays, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine
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