The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-4, 1-0 Big Ten) are set to face the No. 6 Purdue Boilermakers (8-1, 1-0) in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, providing fans with a chance to witness this thrilling conference clash.
Minnesota returns to action after a six-day break, coming off a strong performance that resulted in a 73-64 victory over Indiana’s other Big Ten team, the Hoosiers, on December 3. This win allowed the Gophers to snap a three-game losing streak and they will look to build on this momentum against Purdue.
On the other hand, Purdue is eager to rebound after suffering its first loss of the season, an 81-58 defeat to the then-No. 9 Iowa State Cyclones last Saturday. The Boilermakers struggled with their shooting, particularly from the 3-point line, making only 4 of 18 attempts. This marked their lowest scoring output at home since January 2023.
Historically, Purdue holds the upper hand in this rivalry, having won the last five meetings and leading the all-time series 101-80, which includes an impressive 65-25 record at home.
As for the betting lines from BetMGM Sportsbook, Minnesota sits at +1250 on the moneyline, while Purdue is favored at -3000. The spread shows Minnesota at +20.5 and Purdue at -20.5, with an over/under set at 143.5.
Experts predict a final score of Purdue 80, Minnesota 62, highlighting the significant challenges the Gophers may face. Despite the odds, Minnesota has shown resilience this season, recording a 3-1-1 record against the spread in its last five games at Purdue.
Betting enthusiasts may find value in backing Minnesota +20.5, given that the Gophers have the potential for a strong rebounding effort and chances to earn free throw opportunities. Conversely, past trends indicate the under seems to be a reliable bet, as four of Purdue’s last five games have finished under, along with six of Minnesota’s last eight outings.
This matchup is expected to feature a slow tempo, with both teams capable of imposing their defensive style, likely resulting in a game that emphasizes mid-range shots. The previous encounter between these two teams saw a total of 135.5, suggesting a potential underperformance in scoring.
As the Gophers and Boilermakers prepare for this important game, fans can expect a competitive atmosphere as both teams aim for a win to enhance their standings in the Big Ten conference.