Purdue and Northwestern face off for the first time this season. The Boilermakers are piecing together yet another successful year, while Northwestern will finish the regular season below .500.
The Boilermakers are 11.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 147.5 points.
Here’s my prediction, preview and pick for Wednesday’s Purdue vs. Northwestern matchup.
Purdue vs. Northwestern prediction, preview
There’s no better time than now to get into good form. March is made for upsets and Northwestern is in line for one.
The Wildcats are on a three-game win streak entering this game and will be at home for the matchup with No. 15 Purdue. It’s hard to get better circumstances for a team that’s below .500 this season.
That said, the Boilermakers are still heavy favorites. They’re ranked 15th in the country with a 22-7 overall record and are 7-3 on the road. Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn are an experienced trio prepared for another deep postseason run. A road regular season matchup against Northwestern shouldn’t phase them, but March is unique.
Purdue is on a two-game losing streak and has lost three of its last four. That’s not good form for the start of March.
Purdue vs. Northwestern pick, best bet
I preach the importance of home court advantage in college hoops. It can be the deciding factor in close games and even upsets. Northwestern has the upper hand here, and the team is on a three-game win streak.
Those three wins aren’t against great teams, but all a team needs is some confidence at home. That plus a weak stretch of games from Purdue may be enough for Northwestern to pull off the upset.
Northwestern is +380 on the moneyline. It’s tempting, but the safer choice is certainly +11.5.