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The Illinois Fighting Illini are set to face the Purdue Boilermakers. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Illinois Purdue prediction, odds, and pick.
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Purdue and Illinois are playing like the two best teams in the Big Ten, and this game in Mackey Arena could very easily decide the Big Ten regular-season championship. The first game between these teams was a thriller, as college basketball odds analysts will remind you. When considering an Illinois Purdue prediction, remember that the Boilermakers got an 11-point halftime lead a few weeks ago in Champaign before Illinois rallied to force overtime. The game went into double overtime before Purdue finally closed out the Illini, 96-88.
There was a lot of terrific shotmaking in this game. Purdue's Jaden Ivey and Sasha Stefanovic traded howitzers with Illinois' Alfonso Plummer and Andre Curbelo. The Illinois Purdue odds are what they are because Purdue is perceived to be the better team. Given that Purdue won on Illinois' home floor, it's hard to argue with that claim, but the difference between this February encounter and that game from mid-January is that Illinois has gotten noticeably better in the past three weeks.
The Illini have won four in a row. They beat Michigan State without their two best players, Curbelo and big man Kofi Cockburn. They have won road games at Northwestern and Indiana. They are winning games with both offense and defense, showing more depth, versatility and balance than many people expected. They lost Ayo Dosunmu, the star of last year's team, to the NBA, and yet they are currently in line to a get a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament. They have played their way into the conversation of teams which have a realistic shot at the Final Four. When considering an Illinois Purdue pick, take note of how resourceful the Illini have become.
Purdue has won on the road at Iowa and beaten Ohio State at home in the weeks since the win over Illinois. Purdue has tremendous inside-outside versatility and can win either in the paint or on the perimeter. An Illinois Purdue prediction will be shaped by one's expectations of the Boilermakers and their ability to replicate their offensive efficiency in the first meeting between these two teams.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Illinois-Purdue odds:
College Basketball odds: Illinois-Purdue Odds
Illinois: +5.5 (-114)
Purdue: -5.5 (-106)
Over: 147 (-106)
Under: 147 (-114)
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Why Illinois Could Cover the Spread
The Illini took Purdue to double overtime a few weeks ago even though Kofi Cockburn fouled out and played only 22 minutes. Most of his starting-five teammates played over 40 minutes. If Cockburn is able to play 33-35 minutes and is not bothered by foul trouble, Illinois should have the upper hand.
Why Purdue Could Cover the Spread
The Boilermakers are at home and have already seen what Illinois is capable of. They won't be caught off guard and can throw so many different looks at the Illini. This team is confident and knows it is capable of becoming Purdue's first Final Four team since 1980.
Final Illinois-Purdue Prediction & Pick
The Kofi Cockburn factor is likely to help Illinois stay close. Purdue might win, but Cockburn should play a lot more than 22 minutes. He was only 3 of 9 from the field in the first game; chances are he'll be a lot better in the rematch. This one will go down to the wire.
Final Illinois-Purdue Pick: Illinois +5.5
