Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers Betting Pick & Prediction 1/5/24

The Fighting Illini and Boilermakers are set to face off at 8:30 ET on FS1. The Boilermakers will host the game at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN. The over/under for this Big Ten conference contest is set at 153.5 points, with the Boilermakers being the favored team playing at home against the Fighting Illini.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini +10

This game will be played at Mackey Arena at 8:30 ET on Friday, January 5th.

WHY BET THE ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-69 in favor of the Boilermakers.
• Even though we have Purdue winning straight-up, we like Illinois at +10.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 153.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.

Are the Fighting Illini Ready for a Road Win?

Illinois enters their 14th game of the season with a record of 11-2. In their last ten games away from home, Illinois has a 3-7 record, which includes games from last year. As of now, Illinois holds a 7-4-2 record against the spread heading into today’s game. Their ATS performance for the season includes being 2-0-1 on the road and 5-4-1 at home.

Up to this point, games involving Illinois have had an average of 149.5 points per game, with the average over/under line set at 146.5 points. Their over/under record is 7-6-0. The Fighting Illini’s have recorded an over/under record of 3-0 in their last three games, with their games averaging 169 points per game.

Illinois’ offense is coming off a strong performance, scoring 96 points against Northwestern. They had an overall field goal percentage of 62.5% and made 16/20 free throws. Offensively, the Fighting Illini hold a season-long field goal percentage of 48%, placing them 62nd in the national rankings. When it comes to three-pointers, they are ranked 147th in terms of percentage and 64th in three-pointers made.

Coming into today’s game, the Illinois defense is giving up an average of 65.5 points per contest. In their most recent game, the Illinois defense struggled to defend the three-point line, as Northwestern knocked down 10 three-pointers on their way to 66 points.

Is It the Boilermakers Game to Lose at Home?

Purdue has a 13-1 record and is playing their 15th game of the season. All of the Boilermakers’ games this season have been on the road. Purdue has an ATS record of 9-3-2, putting them above .500. In their last ten games, Purdue has gone 4-1 vs. the spread.

Up to this point, games involving Purdue have had an average of 152.4 points per game, with the average over/under line set at 147.2 points. Their over/under record is 9-5-0. Looking at the Boilermakers’ last three games, their over/under record is 1-2 with their games averaging 136 points per game.

In their latest game, Purdue offense put up 67 points against Maryland. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 46.3% and made 9 threes. In terms of three-point shooting, the Boilermakers offense has been good from outside, hitting 38% of their three-pointers on an average of 21.5 attempts per game. Their overall field goal percentage is currently 49%.

Coming into today’s game, the Purdue defense is giving up an average of 67.0 points per contest. Against Maryland in their most recent game, the Purdue defense gave up a total of 53 points while allowing Maryland to hit 33% of their shots.