Rutgers vs Purdue Odds, Spread & Picks (March 10)
By Robert Duff in College Basketball
Published:
- The top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers are 5.5-point favorites over the #9 Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, March 10
- Rutgers upset Michigan 62-50 in first-round play on Thursday, and stunned Purdue 65-64 earlier this season
- Below, see the Purdue vs Rutgers odds and picks for Friday
On paper, the third-round matchup between the top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers (26-5, 12-18-1 ATS) and ninth-seeded Rutgers Scarlet Knights (19-13, 19-13 ATS) might seem to be a mismatch.
Paperwork from earlier this season, though, would suggest otherwise. In a January clash at Purdue’s Mackey Arena, the Scarlet Knights were posting a 65-64 upset of the then #1-ranked Boilermakers. Coming into that game, Purdue was an unbeaten 13-0 on the season.
Oddsmakers aren’t counting on a repeat but they aren’t discounting the Scarlet Knights, either. Purdue is favored but only by 5.5 points. Rutgers is 6-0 against the spread in their last six games against Purdue.
Rutgers vs Purdue Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers | +5.5 (-110) | +195 | O 128 (-110) |
| Purdue | -5.5 (-110) | -230 | U 128 (-110) |
Purdue is set as the #2 seed in the South Region, while Rutgers is the #8 seed in the West Region in the projected March Madness bracket. Purdue is the sixth-favorite at a betting line of +1500 in the March Madness odds.
Tip-off for this game is set for 12:00 pm ET on Friday March 10 at the United Center. The game is being carried by the Big Ten Network. Purdue was set as the +185 favorite to win the tourney in the Big Ten Tournament opening odds.
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Odds as of March 9 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Scarlet Knights vs Boilermakers Betting Trends
The people aren’t paying any heed to recency in this rivalry. Despite the history of success by Rutgers in covering against Purdue, the public spread splits are going 83% (handle) and 85% (bets) in favor of the Boilermakers. Â Public moneyline splits are loving them some Boilermakers with even more fervor. Purdue is getting 93% of handle and 94% of bets.
As far as the total of 128 points, the under is getting 53% of handle. But it’s the over that’s drawing 74% of bets. Rutgers has seen the total go under in six of the school’s last seven games against Big Ten opposition. Overall, the total has gone under in four of Purdue’s last five games. However, seven of the last eight Boilermakers vs Scarlet Knights contests saw the under come in as the winner.
Rutgers Will Be a Tough Out
It was a smothering defense utilized to stymie the players around Michigan star Hunter Dickinson that helped the Scarlet Knights overcome the Wolverines. Rutgers deployed a similar game plan in the school’s Jan. 2 upset win at Purdue. Rutgers allowed Purdue star Zach Edey to get 19 points and 11 rebounds, but stifled the remaining Boilermakers starters on a combined 26 points.
https://twitter.com/rickbozich/status/1633915627982274562?s=20
Rutgers isn’t much on offense – the Scarlet Knights are 147th in the nation in offensive efficiency – but they rebound like mad men, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds in the win over Michigan, and take away the long ball, forcing opponents to battle for every basket. They held the Wolverines to 4-for-21 from the field in the second half of Thursday’s win. Cam Spencer paced Rutgers with 18 points.
These Aren’t the Same Boilermakers Who Lost to Rutgers
Certainly, Edey, the -1400 favorite in the Wooden Award odds, is the focal point for Purdue. The 7-foot-4 center ranks eighth in the country in scoring (21.9 points per game), second in rebounding (12.8 per game), and is tied for first in double-doubles (23). But Purdue is much more than Edey.
Took the day to take this in. Three years ago only 2 schools in this conference thought I was good enough to play at this level. Life changes fast man https://t.co/UNzrEfnrMs
— zach (@zach_edey) March 7, 2023
Freshman guards Fletcher Loyer (11.6 ppg) and Braden Smith (10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, team-high 4.2 assists per game) have grown their game since that loss to Rutgers. As well, small forward Brandon Newman and power forward Mason Gillis weren’t in the starting lineup for the Boilermakers when they lost to the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers vs Purdue Prediction
Their recent success against Purdue can’t be discounted. Expect the Scarlet Knights to put up a fight here. The Boilermakers will win, but covering could be an entirely different matter.
Pick: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +5.5 (-110)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
