Purdue Boilermakers at Illinois Fighting Illini
Assembly Hall – Champaign, Illinois
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 8:30 pm Eastern, TV: Big Ten Net
Opening Line: Illinois -3
Current Line: Illinois -3
Opening Total: 131
Current Total: 131 1/2
Opening Money Line: Illinois -165 / Purdue +145
Current Money Line: Illinois -155 / Purdue +135
Both Illinois and Purdue are 16-9 this season, and are in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten Conference. Purdue is 6-6 in conference and Illinois is 5-7. Both are well back of the conference leaders and need a quality conference win badly. At this point both teams are on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. Purdue beat Northwestern Sunday at home to snap a two game losing streak. Illinois has lost 6 of their last 7 games, and 3 in a row including 70-61 at Michigan Sunday. Purdue leads the series 94-84 against Illinois, but trails in Champaign 53-33. Purdue has beaten Illinois 6 straight times including 75-60 in West Lafayette on New year’s Eve earlier this season.
Purdue is coached by Matt Painter. The Boilermakers have losses to Alabama, Xavier, Butler, Penn St, Wisconsin, Michigan St, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio St. Purdue has wins over Northern Illinois, Iona, Temple, Western Michigan, Miami-FL, Eastern Michigan, Iowa twice, Minnesota, and Northwestern twice.
Illinois is coached by Bruce Weber. The Illini have losses to UNLV, Missouri, Penn St, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Indiana. Illinois has wins over Richmond, Illinois St, Maryland, Gonzaga, Minnesota, Northwestern, Nebraska, Ohio St, and Michigan St.
Purdue is outscoring opponents 72-65 this season. The Boilermakers shoot 43.3% from the field, including 36.1% from 3 point range. Purdue makes 64.1% of their free throws. The Boilermakers average 33.6 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of -1. Purdue averages 13.3 assists, 8.8 turnovers, 7.1 steals, and 3.7 blocks a game. Boilermaker opponents are shooting 43.2% from the field including 37.3% from 3 point range. Purdue forces 13.7 turnovers a game.
Purdue forward Robbie Hummel averages 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks and is shooting 35.1% from 3 point range. Lewis Jackson averages 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists to lead the team, and 1.2 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Ryne Smith averages 9.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Smith shoots 42.4% from 3 point range. Kelsey Barlow averages 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to lead the team. D.J. Byrd averages 7.8 points a game. Terone Johnson averages 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals a game.
Illinois is outscoring opponents 67-63 this season. The Illini are shooting 44.9% from the field, including 32.3% from 3 point range. Illinois makes 70.7% of their free throws. The Illini average 33.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2.4. Illinois averages 12.8 assists, 13.8 turnovers, 5.3 steals, and 4.4 blocks a game. Illini opponents are shooting 41.6% from the field, including 36.6% from 3 point range. Illinois forces 13.8 turnovers a game on defense.
Illinois guard Brandon Paul averages 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. He leads the Illini in scoring, assists, and steals, and is making 34.8% of his three pointers. Meyers Leonard averages 13.2 points, 8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.1 blocks a game. He leads the team in blocks and rebounds. D.J. Richardson averages 12.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2 assists a game. He is shooting 37.3% from 3 point range. Sam Maniscalco averages 7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. He is questionable with a knee injury. Guard Devin Langford is out indefinitely with a broken finger.
Illinois is 9-14 ATS and the total is 13-10 this season. Purdue is 11-11 ATS and the total is 12-10 this season. Purdue is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Champaign. The over is 10-1 in the last 11 in the series including 5-1 at Illinois. The Boilermakers are 5-1 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 points or less, 4-1 as a road underdog, 1-9 after a cover, and 0-4 after a straight up win. The Illini are 6-13 ATS at home against teams with losing road records, 3-7 at home, 2-5 in Wednesday games, 1-4 after a straight up loss and failing to cover, 1-5 against teams with winning records, 1-6 overall, in Big Ten games, as a home favorite, and 1-7 as a favorite.
Both of these teams have struggled recently. It is hard to determine which team will show up for each school. Purdue has dominated Illinois recently and I look for that trend to continue.
