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Minnesota (5-4) vs Purdue (8-1)
- When: Dec 10 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Where to watch: BTN
Minnesota vs (6) Purdue Preview & Prediction
Spread: Purdue -20.0
Moneyline: Purdue (-5000)
Total: 143.0
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Breakdown
Purdue is in a spot they don’t deal with often: figuring out how to respond after getting punched in the mouth. Their 81 to 58 loss to Iowa State was their first setback of the season and an eye opener for a team used to steamrolling early opponents and rarely losing more than a handful of games in a year.
Matt Painter didn’t sugarcoat anything after the defeat. He pointed out that the Boilermakers let their frustration take over and completely abandoned the traits that usually carry them. Purdue’s defensive focus, rebounding effort and willingness to fight for loose balls all disappeared for long stretches, letting Iowa State control every meaningful possession. Painter openly challenged his roster to show more toughness and stop acting like their offense alone will carry them.
Thankfully for the Boilermakers, they return home to Mackey Arena where they’re a different animal. Fletcher Loyer continues to pace Purdue with 14.4 points per game, while Trey Kaufman Renn, Braden Smith and Oscar Cluff help form a balanced scoring group. But Painter’s message is clear: the numbers don’t matter if they don’t bring the force and urgency on defense.
As a heavy favorite and coming off a humbling loss, Purdue is in classic bounce back territory, a spot that historically treats them well.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Breakdown
Minnesota arrives on a high after knocking off ranked Indiana, a win so surprising that students stormed the court like it was 1989. Before that upset, the Golden Gophers had dropped three straight and looked like a team without an identity. That win not only boosted their confidence, it showed they could play with a sense of desperation that had been missing.
Coach Niko Medved said he learned more about his players during the rough patches than during the good moments. He has pushed the underdog mindset, telling his team repeatedly that the outside world doesn’t believe in them. Against Indiana, they embraced that attitude and didn’t blink even when the game tightened late.
Cade Tyson leads the way with an impressive 21.8 per game on strong efficiency and is the centerpiece of everything Minnesota does offensively. But heading into Mackey Arena as a double digit dog, the Gophers will need another level of execution, composure and toughness to keep pace with a Purdue team that rarely loses two in a row.
Expert Final Score Prediction
Minnesota will fight early, but Purdue’s size, depth and revenge mindset make this a tough matchup for the visitors. Expect the Boilermakers to reestablish their defensive identity and control the pace for most of the night.
Final Score: Purdue 82, Minnesota 63
Lean: Minnesota +20.0
Total: Over 143.0
- NCAAB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
