Butler Bulldogs vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Saturday, 12/17/11, 2:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Purdue -8.5
Current Betting Line: Purdue -8.5
Opening Total: 124.5
Current Total: 124
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Butler will end a week off for final exams with another major test in taking on a Big Ten Conference opponent. The Bulldogs next three opponents boast a combined 22-5 record. This will be the first meeting since 2006 for these schools that hail from Indiana, with the Bulldogs registering a 68-65 win as 3.5-point favorites. It’s still important to note that the program is just 16-37 overall in the series. Butler is 0-6 ATS on the year, but must be respected due to its 16-5 ATS mark on a neutral floor.
The Bulldogs didn’t have a double-digit scorer on the floor to start their last contest, coming off a 58-55 defeat to the Ball State Cardinals as three-point underdogs. Sophomore Khyle Marshall has taken over the leading scorer role, averaging 10.5 points after 10 games. Butler has already lost six games and most of that disappointment can be attributed to the free throw line, getting out-scored by a 143-90 margin.
Purdue has put together a nice two-game win streak since dropping a 66-63 contest to the Xavier Musketeers as 3.5-point road underdogs. The Boilermakers are 12-11 all-time at the Conseco Fieldhouse, which includes a 9-7 mark during the Matt Painter era. It all starts with senior forward Robbie Hummel for this squad, averaging 18.3 points and 5.5 rebounds, while also playing a big role in leading the team to rank fifth nationally in turnover margin. Purdue is 0-2 ATS as a neutral court favorite of 6.5 to 9 points.
The Boilermakers last three games against the Bulldogs have been decided by an average of less than seven points a contest. Purdue has a great opportunity to gain revenge from the last meeting, posting a 39-11 record under Painter during the month of December. The bench should definitely provide a lift in critical moments, winning the statistical battle in eight of 11 games this year, out-scoring opponents by an average of 10.3 points per game. Purdue will likely win or lose this contest from beyond the arc, averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game, posting a 22-4 mark under Painter when connecting on at least 10.
Bettors will likely back the Bulldogs due to their 8-0 ATS mark as an underdog of 7 to 12.5 points, while the Boilermakers are 0-4 ATS as a favorite in the same range.
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