Michigan (14-4) at Purdue (15-5)
- When: Jan 24 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Where to watch: FOX
Get ready for a thrilling Big Ten clash on Friday night as the No. 11 Purdue Boilermakers host the No. 21 Michigan Wolverines in West Lafayette. Purdue comes in as a 4-point favorite, with the total set at 151. Both teams are looking to reassert dominance after recent stumbles, making this matchup critical for both NCAA Tournament positioning and Big Ten title contention.
Michigan: Riding the Frontcourt
The Wolverines (14-4, 6-1 Big Ten) are coming off back-to-back overtime games, including a disappointing 84-81 road loss to last-place Minnesota and a narrow 80-76 home victory over Northwestern. Michigan boasts one of the best frontcourts in college basketball, featuring their 7-foot duo of Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin.
Goldin has been unstoppable lately, averaging 26 points over his last four games, including a 31-point performance against Northwestern. Adding to his arsenal, Goldin has displayed an impressive 3-point shot, which could stretch Purdue’s defense. Alongside him, Wolf averages 12.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, making Michigan’s interior presence a formidable challenge.
However, Michigan has struggled with consistency, and coach Dusty May acknowledges there’s room for improvement: “We’ve got a lot to clean up and we have to improve. But we’re still learning a lot about ourselves.”
Purdue: Guard Play and Home Resilience
Purdue (15-5, 7-2 Big Ten) saw its 26-game home winning streak snapped in a 73-70 loss to Ohio State on Tuesday. Despite winning seven straight prior to that, coach Matt Painter has noted that his team hasn’t been playing its cleanest basketball, even in victories.
The Boilermakers excel in guard play, led by Braden Smith, who paces the Big Ten with 8.9 assists per game. Fletcher Loyer, a sharpshooter hitting 46.3% from deep, averages 13.8 points per contest. Meanwhile, Trey Kaufman-Renn leads Purdue in scoring with 18.3 points per game and a strong 42.9% 3-point shooting rate. Purdue’s perimeter attack will be crucial in countering Michigan’s interior dominance.
Betting Predictions:
Spread: Purdue’s guards have the edge, especially at home, where they’ll look to bounce back from their first loss at Mackey Arena in 27 games. Expect the Boilermakers to cover the -4 spread as they’ll control the tempo with their sharp backcourt.
Total: With Michigan’s dominant frontcourt and Purdue’s lethal guard play, expect a competitive, high-scoring affair. The over on 151 points looks appealing as both teams are capable of putting up big numbers.
Final Prediction:
Purdue 81, Michigan 75. The Boilermakers’ balance and home-court advantage will prove too much for Michigan, as Purdue covers the spread and the total goes over.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
