Northwestern vs. Purdue NCAAB Odds and Preview – January 31st, 2024

By Hank Blaine • January 31, 2024

No. 2 Purdue surely has a bit of payback on its mind Wednesday night in Big Ten action as it hosts unranked but dangerous Northwestern, which upset the Boilers in Evanston earlier this season. Zach Edey & Co. are heavy favorites this time, however, as they have lost just once since and generally are crushing people.

Purdue leads the all-time series 134-48 but Northwestern has won two straight meetings (both at home) and is looking for its first season sweep of the Boilermakers since the 2013-14 season — the last time it won two games in a row.

Before all else, Nitrobetting takes a peek at important game details that help you lock in on the best picks. Below, you can find event information, team and player stats, and the latest NCAAB odds. We also have timely betting trends and predictions at your disposal.

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Purdue Boilermakers Game Information

Tomorrow night.

Let’s crank it up! pic.twitter.com/AfbsjBRUD5
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) January 31, 2024

When: Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 6:30 pm ET
Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
TV: BTN
Radio: 720 AM WGN (Northwestern) // SportsTalk 790 AM (Purdue)
Live Stream: Big Ten Network
NCAAB Betting Odds: Northwestern (+13) // Purdue (-13)

Why Bet on the Northwestern Wildcats?

Northwestern (15-5, 6-3) won its second game in a row Saturday, 83-58 over Ohio State. The 25-point margin of victory marked its second-largest ever in 173 games against the Buckeyes as the Wildcats improved to 5-0 in Big Ten home games this season, its best start at home in conference play since the 1967-68 team went 7-0.

Boo Buie led all scorers with 19 points, Ryan Langborg added 14, Nick Martinelli chipped in 12, Brooks Barnhizer posted 11, Luke Hunger scored a career-high 11 and Ty Berry added 10. Buie also surpassed Billy McKinney for third all-time in career scoring with 1,911 points. It marked the 11th time this season that Buie led the team in scoring and NW is 8-3 in those. The Wildcat defense stymied OSU all night, holding the Buckeyes to just 14 field goals made, the Buckeyes lowest since Feb. 11, 2012 against Michigan State.

Earlier this week, Buie was named Big Ten Player of the Week and one of the top 10 candidates for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top point guard. Buie is the only high-major player in the country averaging 18+ points (18.5) and 5+ assists (5.3) per game this season. In four games against ranked opponents this season, Buie is averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Buie is one of just two Cousy Award Finalists from last season on this year’s watch list (Tyler Kolek, Marquette).

Why Bet on the Purdue Boilermakers?

Purdue (19-2, 8-2 Big Ten) lost at Northwestern on Dec. 1, 92-88 in overtime when the Boilers were ranked first in the nation. Wildcats star Boo Buie scored seven of his 31 points in OT to help NW beat the top-ranked Boilermakers for the second straight season. Buie had nine assists, two steals and no turnovers while playing a game-high 43 minutes, rallying Northwestern from an eight-point halftime deficit. Ty Berry also scored seven points in OT and finished with 21, and Ryan Langborg added 20.

The Boilermakers had a 52-27 rebounding edge and went 31 for 41 at the foul line, but they committed 17 turnovers compared to three for the Wildcats. Purdue star and National Player of the Year favorite Zach Edey had 35 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.

Purdue enters Wednesday on a five-game winning streak following a 68-60 win at Rutgers on Sunday. The victory was Purdue’s first in Piscataway since Feb. 3, 2018, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Scarlet Knights on the road. Edey became the sixth player in school history with 2,000 career points, reaching the mark in the first half on a dunk. Edey tallied 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 assist en route to his 30th career 20-10 game, the second-most in Purdue history (Terry Dischinger – 48).

Edey now ranks second in school history with 53 career double-doubles (Terry Dischinger – 54) and his 72 straight games in double-figures have tied a school record (Rick Mount – 72). Edey now needs just three blocked shots to become the third player in NCAA history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 200 blocks and to shoot 60.0 percent from the field. Edey is averaging just 23.5 minutes for his career.

Purdue is now 4-2 on the road in Big Ten play having won three straight road games by a combined 43 points. The win was the team’s nation-leading 12th win in the first two quadrants. Wisconsin and Connecticut are next with 10. Nine of them have come away from Mackey Arena. Purdue is now 19-2 (or better) in consecutive seasons for the first time ever and is 19-2 or better for the third time in the last seven seasons (2023-24, 2022-23, 2017-18). Over the last two seasons, Purdue is 40-3 (.931) in the months of November, December and January.

Following its last loss to Nebraska on Jan. 9, Purdue has averaged 86.6 points per game in its five straight wins, while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from 3-point range. Purdue’s offensive efficiency in that span is 129.7 (129.7 points / 100 possessions). During that span, Edey is averaging 27.0 points and 14.8 rebounds.

A win over Northwestern would give Purdue 20 wins, the first team in America to reach that plateau. A year ago, Purdue was the first major-conference team to reach 20 wins (third overall behind Florida Atlantic and College of Charleston).

Northwestern vs. Purdue Betting Trends

Northwestern is 15-5 SU in their last 20 games.
Wildcats are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games against Purdue.
The total went over in 7 of Northwestern’s last 8 games.
Purdue is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games.
Boilermakers are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 games played on a Wednesday when playing at home.
The total went over in 5 of Purdue’s last 7 games.

Northwestern vs. Purdue Expert Prediction

Purdue 75, Northwestern 64.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2023-24 NCAAB season previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest college basketball betting odds on our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.