Purdue vs. Rutgers Predictions, Odds

• December 29, 2020
• By David Schwab
• VegasInsider.com

Tuesday night’s college betting action gets underway with a Big Ten battle between the Purdue Boilermakers and the No. 11 Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (ET).

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Big Ten
• Venue: Rutgers Athletic Center
• Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV: TBD
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet |William Hill | Best Sportsbooks

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Purdue-Rutgers Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Rutgers -4
• Money-Line: Rutgers -161 Purdue +128
• Total: 140

Odds Subject to Change

Rutgers has been opened as a four-point home favorite in this matchup with the betting line for the total set at 140 points.

The 6-3 Boilermakers have split their first two conference games straight-up with a 15-point road loss to Iowa followed by a tight three-point victory at home against Maryland. After failing to cover in either game, they are 1-5-1 against the spread in their last seven games.

The total has gone OVER in six of the nine games played. Purdue has also failed to cover in four of their last five games against Rutgers. It still has an 8-2 SU edge over the past 10 meetings with the total going OVER in seven of those games.

The Scarlet Knights have worked their way up the national rankings at 6-1 SU. Their first loss of the season was last Wednesday’s 80-68 road setback against Ohio State as +3.5-point underdogs. At 3-3-1 ATS, the total has gone OVER in five of the seven games. Rutgers is 5-1 ATS in its last six Big Ten games with the total going OVER five of its last six games against Purdue.

Betting Analysis – Purdue Boilermakers

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 7-3
• ATS: 3-6-1
• SU - Home: 6-0
• SU - Away: 1-3
• O/U: 6-4

Purdue needed a big effort from Brandon Newman and Eric Hunter Jr. with a combined 33 points to sneak past Maryland 73-70 on Christmas Day. It also benefitted from a late goaltending call in its favor.

Forward Trevion Williams continues to lead the way in both points (13.4) and rebounds (9.5). The Boilermakers have a total of five players averaging at least 10 points as part of their 72.5 points per game. They are shooting 46.5% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range.

Of the team’s 37.3 rebounds a game, 28.7 are coming on the defensive end of the court. Through nine games, Purdue is holding opposing teams to 66.0 PPG.

Betting Analysis – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 6-1
• ATS: 3-3-1
• SU - Home: 5-0
• SU - Away: 1-1
• O/U: 5-1-1

The Scarlet Knights need to quickly get past the loss to Ohio State last Wednesday after blowing a 16-point second-half lead. Center Myles Johnson fouling out of that game did not help.

The key to Rutgers’ early success has been the elevated play of guard Ron Harper Jr. He is averaging a team-high 23.4 PPG while connecting on 56.4% of his shots from this field. This is highlighted by a 50.0 shooting percentage from three-point range.

Overall, the team is averaging 80.6 points and 39.6 rebounds a game. The Scarlet Knights have a 49.8 field goal percentage that slides to 37.2% outside the three-point line. Defense has been shaky at times with a points allowed average of 70.1. Rutgers has given up 76.0 PPG through its first three conference matchups.

Inside the Stats – Purdue Boilermakers

• PS/G: 72.5 (187th)
• PA/G: 66 (98th)
• Off Rtg: 107.1 (106th)
• Def Rtg: 97.5 (182nd)

Inside the Stats – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

• PS/G: 80.6 (68th)
• PA/G: 70.1 (176th)
• Off Rtg: 110.8 (58th)
• Def Rtg: 96.5 (163rd)

Key Players to Watch

• PUR - Trevion Williams (13.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG)
• PUR - Sasha Stefanovic (11.3 PPG)
• RUTG - Ron Harper, Jr. (23.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
• RUTG - Jacob Young (15.9 PPG, 5.6 APG)

Purdue-Rutgers Predictions

The blown lead against Ohio State is a bit of a concern with Rutgers as a home favorite. However, this is still the better overall team in this matchup. Look for the Scarlet Knights to play the full forty minutes this time around to win and cover the spread.

Despite playing solid defense most of the way this season, Purdue’s best chance to pull off the upset is to outscore Rutgers on Tuesday night. This adds value to the play on the OVER against the current total line given Rutgers’ ability to put points on the board.

• Score Prediction: Rutgers 74 Purdue 68
• Best Bets: Rutgers -4
• Best Bets: OVER

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