Wisconsin Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers, Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:30 pm Eastern, TV: Big Ten Network
Opening Line: Purdue -4 1/2
Current Line: Purdue -4 1/2
Opening Total: 126
Current Total: 125
Money Line: Purdue -185 / Wisconsin +165
Three days after giving Ohio St their first loss of the season, Wisconsin doesn’t have time to rest on their laurels as they have to travel to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers. Both teams are highly ranked. Wisconsin is #10 in both polls, while Purdue is ranked #11. Wisconsin is 19-5 overall and 9-3 in the Big Ten. Purdue is 20-5 overall and also 9-3 in conference. The two teams are tied for second place, 2 games behind Ohio St. The two teams played in Madison February 1, with Wisconsin coming out on top 66-59. Wisconsin has won 4 straight including the 71-67 victory over Ohio St Saturday. Wisconsin has additional wins over Boston College, North Carolina St, Marquette, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan St, and Iowa. Wisconsin has losses to UNLV, Notre Dame, Illinois, Michigan St, and Penn St. Purdue has wins over Virginia Tech, Alabama, Valparaiso, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn St twice, Iowa, Michigan St, Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois. They have won two straight since the Wisconsin loss, including an 81-70 win at Illinois Sunday. Purdue has losses to Richmond, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Ohio St in addition to the Wisconsin loss.
Purdue leads the overall series 103-64, including 67-16 in West Lafayette. The two teams have split the last 12 meetings. Wisconsin is 3-2 ATS in the last 5, and 3 of those 5 have gone under the total. Wisconsin has won 9 of their last 12 straight up versus ranked opponents, including a 4-1 record this season.Wisconsin is 12-5 ATS against teams with winning records this season. Purdue is 12-4 ATS as a favorite this season. The Boilermakers are 7-1 ATS at home this season.
Wisconsin has no significant injuries right now. Senior Forward Jon Leuer leads the team and is a candidate for national player of the year. Leuer is averaging 19.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Leuer is shooting 43.5% from 3-point range and 84.9% from the free throw line. Guard Jordan Taylor averages 18.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists to lead the team, and 0.8 steals a game to lead the team. Forward Keaton Nankivil averages 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks a game to lead the team. All three of the top scorers shoot more than 42% from 3-point range. Wisconsin is outscoring opponents 70-57 on the season. The Badgers shoot 44.8% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. Badger opponents are shooting 41.3% from the field. The Badgers make 82.4% of their free throws. Wisconsin averages 32.5 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +3.7. Wisconsin averages 14 assists and 7.8 turnovers a game. The Badgers force 10.4 turnovers a game on defense. The Badgers average 3.8 steals and 3.5 blocks a game.
Purdue guard/forward D.J. Byrd is listed as probable with a hip injury. Byrd is averaging 4.9 points a game in just under 20 minutes a game. Purdue has also been playing without star guard Robbie Hummel the whole season who is out with an ACL. Forward Jujuan Johnson is averaging 20.7 points to lead the team, 7.7 rebounds to lead the team, 1.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard E’Twuan Moore is averaging 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to lead the team. Guard Lewis Jackson leads the team in assists with 3.8 a game. Purdue is outscoring opponents 74-61 on the season. The Boilermakers are shooting 45.2% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. The Boilermakers hold opponents to 41.4% shooting from the field. Purdue shoots 72% from the free throw line. Purdue averages 35.8 rebounds, and has a rebounding margin of +3.1. Purdue averages 16.4 assists and 11 turnovers a game. They force 15 turnovers a game on defense. Purdue averages 6.3 steals and 4.3 blocks a game.
Wisconsin has only won two games in history at Mackey Arena. They are 2-36 all time at the arena. Wisconsin was down 15 points at home to Ohio St Saturday in the second half before mounting a huge comeback to beat the Buckeyes. They could be in for an emotional let-down having to travel to a tough environment only 3 days after such a tough game. The last time these teams played in Madison, Jon Leuer went off for the Badgers scoring 24 points and also getting 13 rebounds. Neither of these teams play defense very well, but they both shoot very well especially from 3-point range. If the game is close Wisconsin is much better at shooting free throws so that could be the difference.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on any more winners this season.
