College Basketball on Wednesday night and we will see the Illinois Fighting Illini travel to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. The game is scheduled for an 8:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on the Big 10 Network. Currently the odds for the game have Illinois favored by 2.5 points while the total sits at 138. Check out Sportsbook Spy to see who the Public is taking on all of today's games.
Free Analysis: John Groce's first season in Champaign has gotten off to a highly successful start, as Illinois has won 13 of its first 14 games. The team opened up with 12 straight victories before falling to rival Missouri on Dec. 22 (82-73). The Illini bounced back last weekend though, getting back into the win column with a hard-fought 81-79 shootout win against Auburn. The Fighting Illini have their backcourt to thank for a majority of their success, with senior guard Brandon Paul leading the team in points (18.7, second in the Big Ten), rebounds (5.1) and assists (3.6). The Fighting Illini also feature sophomore Tracy Abrams (12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists) and senior D.J. Richardson (10.9, 4.4, 2.0) in their three-guard offense, with junior Joseph Bertrand averaging 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds off the bench, and sitting fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (60). Abrams was named Big Ten Player of the Week after he recorded career highs of 27 points and eight rebounds in Illinois' 81-79 victory over Auburn on Saturday. The Fighting Illini, though, must improve defensively if they are to challenge the heavyweights for Big Ten supremacy. Illinois ranks 11th in scoring defense (65.1) and field goal percentage defense (41.1), and last in rebounds allowed (35).
Matt Painter's Boilermakers have certainly struggled in terms of consistency this season. The team split its 12 games prior to the New Year, but did close out the 2012 calendar with back-to-back wins over Ball State (66-56) and William & Mary (73-66). This begins a tough stretch to start league play for Purdue, as the team will take on nationally-ranked Michigan State and Ohio State following this contest. This game marks Painter's 250th at his alma mater. The Boilermakers must continue to excel at defending the 3-point line as they are second in the Big Ten at 29.3 percent and will brace for the conference's top 3-point shooting team (No. 3 in the nation) at 9.4 made treys per game. Purdue will also have a better chance to succeed if it continues to bang the offensive boards - it is second in the Big Ten at 14.4, and has outscored opponents 145-82 in second-chance points. The Boilermakers enjoy a plus-8.6 rebound differential - fourth in the Big Ten, compared to Illinois' plus-1.1. Junior guard Terone Johnson scores a team-leading 12.5 points, but has averaged 14.9 in his last eight games. A.J. Hammons, a 7-foot freshman, averages 5.8 rebounds and leads the Big Ten with 1.4 blocks. The Boilermakers, who defeated William & Mary 73-66 on Saturday for their second straight victory, are 1-3 against teams from the other five BCS conferences.
Free Pick: I have been following Illinois closely this year and they have been a winner for me a few times and I will expect them to do it again. The Illini are a solid team and are one of the best teams in a loaded big 10, while Purdue is not. Purdue is 6-6 on the year and their best win was at Clemson, but they also lost at Eastern Michigan as 10.5 favs. In their last 2 home games vs William and Mary and Ball State they were 11.5 points faves and 15 point faves and didn't cover either. Actually Purdue has lost 5 straight ATS. They have lost 4 games outright this year when installed as faves. I know there a dog he but I feel they have been overvalued at times this year and this is one of those spots. Illinois is 12-1 and their resume includes a road win at Gonzaga and a 17 points win vs a very tough Butler squad on a neutral court. Illinois is the far better team and will be in the Big 10 race all year, while Purdue will be fighting to stay out of the Big 10 basement. Illinois pulls away late for an easy win.
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