Purdue Fort Wayne vs Robert Morris Odds, Lines and Spread (Jan. 9)

Odds as of January 9th, 2022 at DraftKings

How They Match Up

Jon Coffman’s team saw leading scorer Jarred Godfrey finish with a game-high 18 points in a 10-point victory over the Youngstown State Penguins.  Fellow senior and backcourt mate Jalon Pipkins finished with 15 as the ‘Dons forced 14 turnovers to offset a 39.1% shooting night from the field.

Meantime, Andrew Toole’s club got a career-high 24 points from senior forward Kahliel Spear, but it wasn’t enough to overcome 20 turnovers in the one-point loss to the Cleveland State Vikings. Enoch Cheeks added 12, while Jaron Williams chimed in with 11.

Purdue Fort Wayne Outlook

Godfrey scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half and made a pair from the free throw line with just over two minutes remaining to give Purdue Fort Wayne a two-possession lead. The performance at the charity stripe was part of a 14-of-16 night at the line as the ‘Dons continue to lead the league in free throw shooting.

Godfrey paces the team in scoring (17.2 ppg) and assists (4.1 apg) and is second in rebounds (4.2 rpg), while Pipkins is the only other player on the roster averaging double-figures (13.6). Four other players are putting up at least eight points per contest for Coffman’s crew.

ROAD DUB

Put this one in the win column.

‘Dons takedown Youngstown State.#HLMBB #FeelTheRumble pic.twitter.com/YevTCkDnFC

— Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons Basketball (@MastodonMBB) January 8, 2022

Purdue Fort Wayne is the 266th-rated team overall in college hoops by KenPom, which makes them the eighth-best squad in the 12-team Horizon.

Robert Morris is 10th at 305th overall. Of the ‘Dons’ seven losses, only two have been true blowouts with only one other defeat being by double-digits. The other four losses have all been relatively close.

As noted above, this club shoots very well from the free throw line, rating fifth best in the country. If Sunday’s tilt comes down to the wire, don’t be surprised to see the Mastodons squeak out a victory.

Robert Morris Outlook

Robert Morris came oh-so-close to knocking off preseason league favorite Cleveland State Friday. But down three in the closing seconds, the Colonials had to settle for a Kam Farris layup instead of a potential game-tying shot from distance and the Vikings held on for a narrow win.

Toole’s team has a trio averaging in double-digits, led by Rasheem Dunn’s 12.8 points per contest. Spear is putting up 12.5 a game, while Kam Farris goes for 10.5. Four other players score at least eight for Bobby Mo.

Kept battling.#BobbyMo | 🔵🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/ZFpZ0gJm4w

— RMU Basketball (@RMUMBasketball) January 8, 2022

The program has struggled mightily in 2021-22, with its win over St. Francis (PA) the only victory against a Division I opponent. The Colonials have come close on three other occasions (including Friday’s outing), dropping those four points or less.

RMU’s offensive adjusted efficiency rating (269th) exceeds its overall rating, while this group rates 80th in tempo. The Colonials can score, but can they close Sunday?

Purdue Fort Wayne vs Robert Morris Pick

Purdue Fort Wayne is coming off the win, but KenPom predicts Robert Morris will win this one at home.

I agree with the oddsmakers and see this going the way of the road team, though. Godfrey is the type of player that can take over a game. Plus, with the ‘Dons’ ability to ice a potential close one at the free throw line, this has the makings of a narrow Mastodon victory.

Pick: Purdue Fort Wayne -1 (-110)