The top two teams in the Big Ten square off Tuesday night as 12th-ranked Illinois hosts No. 3 Purdue in Champaign.
Both teams will be high seeds in the NCAA Tournament as the Boilermakers have their eyes on a top spot while Illinois will likely be positioned as a third or fourth seed.
Heading into Tuesday’s showdown, Purdue is currently atop the Big Ten standings at 15-3, while Illinois sits two games back at 13-5. The Boilermakers have secured at least a tie of the conference regular-season title, while the Illini still have an outside chance of grabbing a share of the crown.
Purdue vs. Illinois odds
- Spread: Purdue +1.5 (-104), Illinois -2 (-118)
- Total: Over 163.5 (-105), Under 163.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Purdue +104, Illinois -125
Odds via FanDuel
Purdue vs. Illinois prediction
Purdue seeks its fourth straight win since getting surprised at Ohio State on Feb. 18. The Boilermakers failed to cover in Saturday’s 80-74 home win over Michigan State as 10-point favorites, marking their fourth loss against the spread in the last five games.
Wooden Award favorite Zach Edey posted another solid game for Purdue by torching MSU for 32 points and 11 rebounds. It marked the third time since Jan. 31 that Edey scored at least 30 points and pulled down double-digit rebounds in a game.
Illinois is riding a three-game winning streak after knocking off Wisconsin as a short road underdog, 81-73. The Illini have topped the 90-point mark in four straight games, while cashing the over in nine consecutive.
Purdue captured the first matchup between these teams in West Lafayette, 83-78, in early January. The Boilermakers jumped out to a 15-point halftime lead before the Illini made it close late, covering as 10.5-point underdogs. The Illini have flipped to a short favorite on Tuesday.
Purdue vs. Illinois pick
This matchup marks only the second time this season Purdue is listed in the underdog role; the first time, the Boilermakers beat Arizona in Indianapolis in December.
All three of Purdue’s conference losses have come on the road, but all as a favorite of 5.5 points or more.
Let’s back Purdue as an underdog in this spot against Illinois.
- Pick: Purdue +2.5 (-118, BetMGM)