The Michigan Wolverines and Purdue Boilermakers meet on Friday in college basketball action at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Michigan vs Purdue prediction. This article will include a Michigan vs Purdue Pick.
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview
The Purdue Boilermakers (22-10, 17-15 ATS) went through their worst period of the season in February when they suffered four straight losses. The Boilermakers responded with wins over UCLA and Rutgers but lost the final game of the regular season to Illinois and finished 6th in the Big Ten Standings. Purdue faced USC in the second round of the conference tournament and booked a 76-71 win.
Purdue averages 78.3 PPG (76th) and allows 70.6 PPG (138th). The Boilermakers are 370th in rebounds (32.2) and 46th in assists (16.2). Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the team with 19.7 PPG, a team-high 6.1 RPG, and 2.3 APG. Braden Smith follows him with 16.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, a team-high 8.8 APG, and a team-high 2.3 SPG, while Fletcher Loyer chips in 14.1 PPG and 2.2 RPG.
Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview
The Michigan Wolverines (22-9, 13-18 ATS) finished the regular season on a disappointing note by suffering three consecutive defeats, their longest losing run of the season. After losing to Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan State, the Wolverines dropped to 3rd place in the Big Ten but still stayed among the top four seeds and skipped the first two rounds of the conference tourney.
Michigan is averaging 78.5 PPG (71st) and is allowing 71.6 PPG (173rd). The Wolverines are getting 37.8 RPG (70th) and dish out 15.9 APG (58th). Vladislav Goldin is the team’s top performer with 16.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and a team-high 1.4 BPG. Danny Wolf has 12.9 PPG, a team-high 9.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.4 BPG, while Tre Donaldson contributes 11.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, a team-high 3.9 APG, and a team-high 1.0 SPG.
Why Purdue will beat Michigan
- Michigan has lost each of its last four games against Conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Purdue has won five of its last six games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Purdue has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 Friday games against the Big Ten Conference.
Why Michigan will beat Purdue
- Michigan has won five of its last six games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Purdue has lost three of its last four games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Matchup/League Facts
- Michigan ranks 39th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (11.3).
- Michigan ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (47.8%).
- Purdue ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (57.0%).
- Purdue ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (60.4%).
Michigan vs Purdue Prediction
These rivals have traded wins in recent years as each recorded five over the past ten H2H meetings. Purdue was better in four of the previous five, but this season, the series is tied at 1-1. Seven of the last ten H2Hs went Over, including four of the previous five. I am not sure about the winner of this tilt as it could go either way. Purdue is a slight favorite but played last night, unlike Michigan, who had more time to prepare for this clash. Expect a close encounter that could go down to the wire and possibly overtime. I am backing them to score 75+ each and contribute at least 148 points. I am backing Over.