The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-4, 1-0 Big Ten) visit the No. 6 Purdue Boilermakers (8-1, 1-0) Wednesday in conference action. Tip-off at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, is at 7 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Minnesota vs. Purdue odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Minnesota is back on the hardwood after 6 days off. The Golden Gophers’ last game was Dec. 3, a 73-64 (Under 44) victory of Indiana’s other Big Ten squad, the -8 IU Hoosiers. Minnesota outscored Indiana 33-21 over the final 12 1/2 minutes to snap a 3-game losing streak.
Purdue is looking to bounce back from its lone loss this season. On Saturday, the -4.5 Boilermakers — an accomplished 3-point-shooting squad — went just 4-of-18 from the perimeter in falling to the then-No. 9 Iowa State Cyclones 81-58 (Under 155). The loss was at Mackey Arena, and Purdue’s 58 points marked its fewest in a home game since Jan. 22, 2023 (58 vs. the Maryland Terrapins).
Purdue has won 5 straight in the series, including 81-61 last season. They leads the all-time series 101-80, including 65-25 at home.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Minnesota at Purdue odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Minnesota +1250 (bet $100 to win $1,250) | Purdue -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Minnesota +20.5 (-110) | Purdue -20.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Minnesota at Purdue picks and predictions
Prediction
Purdue 80, Minnesota 62
No interest; PASS.
Minnesota is 3-1-1 ATS across its last 5 games at Purdue, which is 1-4 ATS over its last 5 games in December.
The Gophers have had their struggles, but usually alongside some defensive metrics that look out of whack. And they head into this game off an excellent performance against Indiana. UM is a veteran team with enough of a chance to have a decent rebounding game while generating looks at the foul line. Enough of a chance to be a value while getting 3 touchdowns.
For Purdue, this is just a big number to cover for a squad that beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights by 16 (Dec. 2), the Memphis Tigers by 9 (Nov. 20), the Akron Zips by 18 (Nov. 16) and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies by 10 (Nov. 6). Those foes have BartTorvik ranks between 58-156. At No. 98, the Gophers fall in the middle of that grouping.
BACK MINNESOTA +20.5 (-110).
The Under has cashed in 4 of Purdue’s last 5 games and in 6 of Minnesota’s last 8.
This contest sets up as being one with a slow tempo and in 2-by-2 fashion. Both defenses do well to usher a lot of midrange looks.
When the Gophers and Boilermakers last met on the hardwood (Jan. 2), the total for the game was 135.5.
The UNDER 143.5 (-115) is the value side.
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