The Utah State Aggies and the Purdue Boilermakers meet Sunday in NCAA Tournament Second Round college basketball action from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Utah State vs Purdue prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
- The Utah State recent form and player performance
- The Purdue recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Utah State
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving Purdue
- Recent betting trends in games played between Utah State and Purdue
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Utah State vs Purdue game
Utah State Aggies Betting Preview
The Aggies had a rough 2-3 run going in February, taking losses to San Diego State, Nevada and Colorado State. Utah State finished on a five-game win streak though, then beat Fresno State in the conference tourney. The next game was a loss to San Diego State, though.
In their First Round matchup versus TCU, the Aggies took a six-point edge into the break. Utah State hit a 45-35 run the rest of the way and won 88-72 in the end. Ian Martinez was the team’s top scorer, posting 21 points with four rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes of action.
Purdue Boilermakers Beting Preview
Over on the Purdue side, they’ve remained remarkably consistent this year and haven’t lost consecutive games. The Boilermakers finished off the year on a five-game win streak, then beat Michigan State in the conference tournament before an upset overtime loss to Wisconsin.
Purdue returned to form in their First Round matchup versus Grambling. The Boilermakers were up 36-27 by halftime, then closed on a 42-23 run for a dominant blowout victory 78-50. Zach Edey led the way on a double-double with 30 points, 21 rebounds and two assists in the win.
Purdue Boilermakers Team Facts
- Purdue has won each of its last 15 day games against non-Conference opponents.
- Eight of Purdue’s last nine NCAA Tournament games against a lower seed have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
- Purdue has won the first half in seven of its last eight games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Utah State Aggies Team Facts
- Utah State has won each of its last 12 games against non-Conference opponents.
- Each of Utah State’s last six games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 141 or fewer points.
- Utah State has lost the first half in each of its last four day games.
Matchup/League Facts
- Purdue ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (41.1%).
- Purdue ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (57.9%).
- Utah State ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (28.2%).
- Utah State ranks T5th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.2).
Utah State vs Purdue Prediction
I’ll lean toward Purdue. The Boilermakers bounced back well after their upset Big Ten Tournament loss. Purdue demolished Grambling in the First Round, shooting 47.5 percent from the field with a 48-23 rebounding advantage. The only real blemish was a rough 13-of-22 (59.1 percent) from the free throw line. Purdue will really need to clean that up.
As for Utah State, they looked pretty good against TCU. The Aggies shot 55 percent from the field with 22 team assists but also got outmuscled on the boards 41-30. Utah State has scored 70 or more points in seven straight games (a 6-1 run) so if they’re on point here we should have a fairly high total. In the end I like Purdue to keep it going and cover, though.