RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS PICKS, PREDICTIONS, ODDS

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16-9, 10-5 Big 10) will travel to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (23-4, 12-4 Big 10) on Sunday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana and can be viewed on FS1. 

SCORE PREDICTION

Purdue 80, Rutgers 66 

BEST BETS

Purdue –12.5 (-110) at BetMGM

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS PREDICTIONS

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are coming off a 70-59 home win against 12th ranked Illinois. Rutgers shot a solid 47% from the field and dominated the glass 46-28. The Scarlet Knights have now won four straight games, all of them against ranked opponents. Bad news for Rutgers, their leading scorer Ron Harper, Jr. injured his non-shooting hand late in the game against Illinois and is questionable for Sunday’s game. The Scarlet Knights are currently fifth in the Big-10 with a conference record of 10-5. 

The fifth ranked Purdue Boilermakers won their most recent game against Northwestern on the road, 70-64. It was an average offensive performance from the Boilermakers, but the defense stepped up, holding Northwestern to 35% shooting from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. Purdue has now won two straight and seven of their last eight. The Boilermakers sit atop the Big-10 with a 12-4 conference record. 

The earlier season matchup between these teams ended with a Harper, Jr. buzzer-beater to give Rutgers the 70-68 triumph. Rutgers managed to shoot 52% from the field and 50% from three, while Purdue shot 41% from the field and just 26.9% from beyond the arc.

Seven of Rutgers nine losses have come on the road this year, while Purdue has lost just one game at home. Although Rutgers has been playing at an extremely high level right, I have to back Purdue in this one. The Boilermakers should play much better offensively at home and Harper, Jr. listed as questionable for Rutgers does not instill much confidence. Backing the Boilermakers in this matchup.

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING ODDS

• Rutgers +500
• Purdue -750
• Rutgers +12.5 (-110)
• Purdue -12.5 (-110)
• Over 138.5 (-110)
• Under 138.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Big 10
• Date: Sunday, February 20, 2022
• Venue: Mackey Arena
• Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
• TV-Time: FS1 - 5:30 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 16-9
• ATS: 12-13
• O/U: 14-11

Rutgers has not been profitable this season with a 12-13 ATS record. They have seen more success as of late, posting a 5-0 ATS record in their last five games. The Scarlet Knights have also gone 6-1 ATS in their last seven games against Purdue. The total has gone over in 14 of Rutgers 25 games including eighth of their last 11 on the road. 

The Scarlet Knights have been averaging 73.25 PPG during their four-game winning streak. On the season, Rutgers has averaged 68.4 PPG (248th), 43.9 FG% (188th), 34.1 3PT% (171st), 15.7 APG (37th), and 36.6 RPG (108th). In the first matchup against Purdue, Rutgers shot the ball extremely well like they have been doing at home all season. In addition, Ron Harper went off for 30 points and 10 rebounds. If he is not able to go on Sunday it will be a huge loss on the offensive end for the Scarlet Knights. 

Rutgers has played well on the defensive end and have allowed just 62 PPG over their last four games. Throughout the entire season Rutgers is allowing 64.6 PPG (53rd), 40.9 FG% (58th), 34.2 3PT% (216th), while averaging 7.5 SPG (92nd), and 4.2 BPG (78th). The difference maker in the first matchup was holding Purdue to 26.9% from three. The Boilermakers have been shooting 40% from three on the season, so expect Rutgers to put an emphasis on defending the deep ball again. 

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 23-4
• ATS: 13-13-1
• O/U: 16-11

Purdue has gone .500 ATS this season with a 13-13-1 record. The Boilermakers have gone 8-1 SU in their last nine games and went 4-4-1 ATS over that same span. The total has gone over in 10 of Purdue's last 15 games, as well as going over in six of the last seven games against Rutgers. Purdue failed to cover in their first matchup against Rutgers as 13.5-point favorites. 

Purdue’s offense is led by sophomore guard Jaden Ivy, who is averaging 17 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.1 APG. As a team, the Boilermakers are putting up 82.1 PPG (6th), 50.2 FG% (3rd), 40.4 3PT% (3rd), 17.5 APG (8th), and 38.8 RPG (39th). Expect Purdue to shoot the ball much better than they did in the first matchup. The Scarlet Knight’s Jersey Mike’s arena has been one of the toughest places to play this season, so returning home for this matchup should have Purdue playing like their usual self. 

Purdue's defense does not rank as high as their offense, but has been good enough for a 23-4 record. On the season, the Boilermakers are allowing 68.7 PPG (164th), 42.3 FG% (136th), 33.9 3PT% (205th), while averaging 4.9 SPG (320th), and 3.6 BPG (123rd). Purdue will have to tighten it up on defense this time around as they cannot allow Rutgers to shoot such high percentage from the field and three. 
Rutgers has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last 10 road games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

• Record: 16-9
• PS/G: 68.4 (254th)
• PA/G: 64.6 (53rd)
• ORtg: 102.3 (186th)
• DRtg: 96.5 (103rd)

INSIDE THE STATS - PURDUE BOILERMAKERS

• Record: 23-4
• PS/G: 82.1 (6th)
• PA/G: 68.7 (170th)
• ORtg: 120.6 (1st)
• DRtg: 100.9 (217th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• RUTG: Ron Harper - G (15.7 pgg, 6.2 rpg)
• RUTG: Clifford Omoruyi - C (11.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
• PUR: Jaden Ivey - G (17 ppg, 5 rpg)
• PUR: Zach Edey - C (14.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg)

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING CONCLUSION

Rutgers could very well continue their impressive streak, but I think that journey comes to an end for now. Other than their road win against Wisconsin, the Scarlet Knights have yet to prove they can hang around with big teams on the road. Purdue has been excellent all-season and will get even with Rutgers in this one. Backing the Boilermakers at home. 

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS BETTING TRENDS

• Rutgers has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last 10 road games.
• Rutgers has covered the spread in nine of its last 12 games when playing as the underdog.