NCAAB Pick: Michigan +4.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Michigan is looking for its third win against a No. 1 team when the Wolverines host the Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday, and we’re looking for winning NCAAB picks in the battle.
Remember, fans from the Hoosier State or Wolverine Country who are looking to make a wager on this game should be sure to check out our top-rated Indiana and Michigan betting sites.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan Wolverines
Thursday, January 26, 2023 – 09:00 PM EST at Crisler Center
It is easy to imagine this being a down year for Big Ten basketball when only one team is listed in the latest AP poll, even if the only ranked team is the No. 1 squad in the country.
Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers will put their top ranking on the line Thursday evening with a tough road matchup at the Michigan Wolverines.
It’s a collision of two of the preseason favorites on the NCAA basketball futures and becomes doubly important for both sides since it’s the only scheduled meeting between Purdue and Michigan this season.
Top Half of Big Ten Separated by Just 3 Games
Conference projections last November listed Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue in the top 4 slots, respectively.
The Boilermakers currently have the lead and a 2-game cushion over a surprising Rutgers crew, with the Wolverines another half-game back in third.
Like just about every other shop on the board, BAS is carrying Purdue as a 4½-point favorite, and there is unanimity with 136 for the scoreboard target.
Edey a 1-Man Show in Recent Win
A loss by Houston last weekend opened the door for Purdue to return to the top line of the conventional rankings. The Boilermakers had their own close call in a 58-55 win over Maryland that went down to the wire after Purdue seemingly built an insurmountable lead.
What was a 14-point halftime lead that slowly disappeared for the Boilermakers, who were 9-point favorites in West Lafayette?
It was a case of Zach Edey and Co. allowing the Terrapins to get back into the game by going the final 4:02 without a field goal.
Edey was his usual dominant self with 24 points and 16 boards to lead Purdue, his 16th double-double of the campaign. But the 7-4 Canadian got little help from the rest of his teammates, especially on the offensive end where the Boilermakers were 2-for-13 from 3-point range.
Maize & Blue is Black & Blue with Injuries
As things stand right now, Purdue is the last ranked team on Michigan’s schedule the rest of the way. That can change, and probably will considering how many Big Ten teams are sitting just outside the top 25 remain on the Wolverines’ schedule.
All three of Michigan’s conference losses came on the road, one of those last week at Maryland. Effects from that setback seemed to follow the Wolverines back home on Sunday when they had to rally from a 10-point deficit to beat Minnesota, 60-56.
The current NCAAB odds favored Michigan by more than a dozen and had to fend off a late challenge by the Golden Gophers. The Wolverines led by nine with 3:02 left, but hit a scoring drought and converted just 2-of-14 from beyond the arc for the contest.
Juwan Howard is dealing with a banged-up roster right now, including injuries to both of his sons, Jett and Jace.
Jett Howard rolled an ankle in the win over Minnesota and is questionable, as is Jace Howard who missed both games a week ago with a concussion.
Rivalry Notes & Betting Trends
Purdue and Michigan met twice in a span of six days last season, each winning on their home floor. The Boilermakers have a 90-75 advantage over the course of the rivalry, but the Wolverines have been shrinking that gap by winning six of the last seven.
In the contest at Crisler Center, Michigan recorded a decisive and sizeable upset with an 82-58 romp past a Purdue team that was ranked No. 3 in the country at the time.
The Wolverines broke a 24-24 tie with about 8 minutes left in the first half and dominated the Boilermakers the rest of the way.
- Michigan also covered as an underdog at top sportsbooks in the game at Purdue last season, leaving Wolverine backers 10-0-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
- Totals split in the two contests a year ago, and are 2-2 O/U in the last four games played in Ann Arbor.
- The Boilermakers are 1-4 ATS, and 1-4 O/U in road games this season.
- The Wolverines are 3-1 ATS and 2-2 O/U in conference home games.
Michigan Continues ATS Streak
First and foremost, I don’t go contrary to streaks like Michigan’s run covering spreads in this rivalry.
Secondly, this Total looks to be spot on and it wouldn’t surprise me if it ends up at exactly 136.
I’ll play it ‘Under’ on a coin flip.
Final Score: Purdue 68 – Michigan 67
NCAAB Pick: Under 136 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
