The Michigan Wolverines (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten) were the last unbeaten team in the Big Ten until Saturday, when they lost by 18 points at Minnesota. They bounced back from that setback with an 87-63 home win over Maryland on Tuesday. Next up for the Wolverines is a trip to Purdue; the Boilermakers (11-5, 6-3 Big Ten), winners of four in a row. In that streak, Purdue has taken down two ranked teams (Michigan State and Ohio State), beating the Buckeyes on Tuesday night on the road.
Don’t miss out on this Friday night tilt in the Big Ten as you put together your weekend online college basketball betting.
NCAAB: Michigan at Purdue (January 22)
When: Friday, January 22, 2021, 7:00 pm ET
Where: Mackey Arena, W. Lafayette, IN
TV: FS1
Radio: No National Radio
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO
Why should you bet on the Wolverines?
Michigan bounced back from that loss to Minnesota quite nicely, jumping out to a 17-3 lead in their meeting with Maryland. Mike Smith drained three shots from downtown in that early run, and the Wolverines made their first five three-balls overall. Isaiah Livers knocked down the other two, and Michigan went into the locker room up 17 at the half and pushed that lead to as high as 25 after the intermission. Livers led the way with 20 points, and Franz Wagner added 15. Smith finished the night with 11 points.
It also helped that Eli Brooks, who missed the Minnesota game with a foot injury, came back to score seven points. The flurry of early scoring matched a pattern that Michigan has followed in dominating a lot of their opponents. One thing to consider, though, is that Maryland has only won two games in Big Ten play, while Purdue is on a big roll right now. If you like Michigan here, you think that they can push out to an early lead against Purdue and hold on when the Boilermakers make their run.
Why should you put your money on the Boilermakers?
Jaden Ivey knocked down a huge step-back three-ball with five seconds left to beat Ohio State on the road. Over the last 3:30 of regulation, Purdue came back from a six-point deficit, with Ivey putting up eight points all by himself during that rally. He would have 15 points for the game. Trevion Williams had 16 points, and Sasha Stefanovic chipped in 15 as well. The key for Purdue was dominating the paint, as they outrebounded the Buckeyes, 38-30, and led in paint points, 36-8. Inside the arc, Ohio State only went 6 of 18.
Purdue’s four-game winning streak is impressive because it contains victories over two ranked opponents. Purdue has long been known as a team that will shut down the paint. However, in years past they have had issues with their guards, who have not been as quick as their counterparts from other Big Ten schools. That seems to be a thing of the past as Purdue is emerging as a Big Ten contender now.
Final Score and Prediction
I like what Purdue is doing right now, using the inside-out game to set a tone for the game. That should slow down the MIchigan offense a bit and allow the Boilermakers to dictate the rhythm. I see Purdue putting up an upset at home, with a final score of Purdue 76, Michigan 70.
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