The No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers (16-2, 5-0 Big 10) and the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-5, 2-3 Big 10) battle at Williams Arena. The Boilermakers look to continue their 12-game winning streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers ATS Preview
In the Boilermakers last outing, they won a close one over the Michigan Wolverines, 70-69. Carsen Edwards was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 7-for-14 shooting. The Boilermakers had a better effective field goal percentage (0.579 vs. 0.534) and had a turnover percentage of 11.8 (better than their season average of 15.1).
The Golden Gophers are hoping for a better outcome after their 83-60 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats in their last contest. Dupree McBrayer was Minnesota’s leading scorer with 14 points on 3-for-8 shooting. Northwestern held the Golden Gophers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.6 (below their season average of 35.3). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.2 vs. 14.1).
A focal point for the Minnesota offense is getting to the free throw line. The Golden Gophers rank 48th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.284), but Purdue is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking eighth by yielding a FTA rate of 0.157). Additionally, the Boilermakers 12th-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.582) will square off against the Golden Gophers 50th-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.467).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Golden Gophers won the only game played against each other last season, 91-82. The Golden Gophers dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a ridiculously low turnover percentage of 8.1 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.549. For those same stats, the Boilermakers were 14.6 and 0.460, respectively.
Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Minnesota, ATS Winner – Minnesota, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Boilermakers rank 112th in three pointers attempted per game (22.9) while the Golden Gophers rank 152nd in three pointers allowed per game (22.6).
- Minnesota is 30th in the NCAA with 5.2 steals allowed per game while Purdue is 48th with 5.6 steals allowed per game.
- Purdue averages 17.6 assists per game, which ranks 18th in the nation. Minnesota ranks 176th in assists allowed per game (14.7).
- The Boilermakers rank 69th in rebounds per game (38.2) while the Golden Gophers rank 210th in rebounds allowed per game (37.6).
- Purdue ranks 12th in blocks per game (6.1) while Minnesota ranks 146th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Betting Trends:
- The Golden Gophers average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, down from 10.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Boilermakers have scored an average of 84.2 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.2 points per game (4.4 below their season average).
