Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers 3/5/2023 Analysis, Picks and Odds
The Illinois Fighting Illini are gearing up to take on the formidable Purdue Boilermakers in a highly anticipated NCAAB showdown at Indiana’s Mackey Arena on March 5th. Although the Illini have had a decent season so far, they have struggled to make a significant impact, hovering around the .500 mark in conference play for much of the year. Despite suffering a disappointing loss to Ohio State last Sunday, they bounced back with an impressive double-overtime win over Michigan on senior night, bringing their overall record to 20-10 (11-8 Big Ten). As of Friday, the Illini were projected to be a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, making Sunday’s game against Purdue all the more critical for them.
Illinois has some standout players, including senior guard Terrence Shannon, who is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 17.9 points per game. Shannon will need to be at his best to take on Purdue’s strong defense. Additionally, Matthew Mayer, who recently made headlines for missing practice due to consuming five Monster energy drinks, led the Illini in their win over Michigan with an impressive 24-point performance. Mayer’s versatility and scoring ability will be crucial if Illinois hopes to upset the No. 5 Boilermakers. With the conference standings tightly packed and the NCAA Tournament looming, Sunday’s game promises to be a thrilling showdown between two talented teams.
- The Illinois Fighting Illini is 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games played in March.
- Illinois are 1-12 ATS in their last 13 games played on a Sunday.
- The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Illinois’ last 20 games played on a Sunday when on the road.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers 3/5/2023 Analysis, Picks and Odds
The Purdue Boilermakers can breathe a sigh of relief after securing the Big Ten regular-season title with their narrow 63-61 win over Wisconsin on Thursday. Despite a recent slump that saw them lose four of their previous seven games, the Boilermakers’ impressive 22-1 start to the season ensured they were already in contention for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. However, their recent struggles have cast some doubt over their ability to clinch a No. 1 seed.
Leading the charge for Purdue is star player Zach Edey, who had yet another impressive showing on Thursday with his 23rd double-double of the year, tallying 17 points and 19 rebounds. Edey’s strong defense also helped limit Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl to just seven points on a combined three of sixteen shooting. With an impressive average of 22.1 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, Edey is undoubtedly the Boilermakers’ go-to scorer. Despite their struggles from beyond the arc, Purdue’s second-best offensive rebounding rate in the nation has helped them compensate for their 249th-ranked 3-point shooting rate. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the Boilermakers will undoubtedly be hoping to build on their recent win and cement their place as one of the top seeds in the competition.
- The Boilermakers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games at home against Illinois.
- Purdue are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
- The Purdue Boilermakers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games played in March.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs #5 Purdue Boilermakers. The NCAAB pick for this game is the Illinois Fighting Illini. As the regular season approaches its end, both teams are struggling to find their best form, making it challenging to predict the outcome of this match. However, the Illinois Fighting Illini have much to gain from a victory on Sunday, as it could significantly improve their chances in both the Big Ten Tournament and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The team’s experienced guards will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their performance, which could prove challenging for the young Purdue Boilermakers, who lack similar experience in this area. In fact, the Boilermakers have struggled to cover the spread in their last 11 matches in March, and their youthful guards may find it challenging to overcome this trend. It’s expected that the Illinois Fighting Illini will emerge victorious, with a predicted score of 74-67.
NCAAB Starting Time: 12:30 PM (EDT)
Location: Mackey Arena, Indiana
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2023
TV: FOX
NCAAB Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini +8
NCAAB Totals: 139.5
