It will be a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions when the No. 17 Purdue Boilermakers (14-6, 7-2 Big 10) and Penn State Nittany Lions (7-13, 0-9 Big 10) face off at Bryce Jordan Center. The Boilermakers have won five consecutive games, while the Nittany Lions are on a seven-game losing streak. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Prediction
In the Boilermakers’ last game, they defeated the No. 6 Michigan State Spartans, 73-63. The Boilermakers held the Spartans to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.7 (below their season average of 36.2) and had a turnover percentage of 11.3 (better than their season average of 14.0). Nojel Eastern played a pivotal role for Purdue with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Nittany Lions lost to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their last contest, 64-60. Rutgers’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Penn State. The Scarlet Knights had a rate of 35.0 (above their season average of 34.4), while the Nittany Lions posted a mark of 32.5. With 21 points on 7-for-16 shooting, Lamar Stevens was the game’s high scorer.
After the Boilermakers won both games against the Nittany Lions last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, Purdue won 78-70. Purdue had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.630 vs. 0.407). Penn State, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (10.1 vs. 15.6).
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Penn State ranks 261st in possessions per game (68.1) and Purdue is 299th (67.0).
Purdue vs. Penn State ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Purdue, ATS Winner – Penn State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Penn State ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (18.6) while Purdue ranks 206th (24.1).
The Boilermakers rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Nittany Lions rank 157th (7.1).
Purdue ranks 18th in rebounds allowed per game (30.8) while Penn State ranks 143rd (34.9).
The Boilermakers rank 71st in blocks per game (3.9) while the Nittany Lions rank 119th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Purdue averages 14.9 assists per game, which ranks 62nd in the NCAA. Penn State ranks 73rd in assists allowed per game (12.1).
Bettings Trends:
The Boilermakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.2, up from 10.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nittany Lions have scored an average of 65.2 points per game (2.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.8 points per game (3.9 above their season average).
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