Northwestern Wildcats vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction, 1/31/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Northwestern Wildcats vs Purdue Boilermakers

Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Location: Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN

TV: BTN

Mackey Arena is where the Purdue Boilermakers (19-2) will attempt to defeat the Northwestern Wildcats (15-5) on Wednesday.

The Northwestern Wildcats stepped onto the hardwood against Ohio State and notched a win by a score of 83-58 in their last contest. With respect to personal fouls, the Wildcats walked away with 23 while Ohio State had 16 personal fouls. They buried 5 of 21 shots from long range. Ohio State ended up shooting 75.8% at the free throw line by knocking down 25 of 33 tries. Additionally, Ohio State snagged 22 rebounds (3 offensive, 19 defensive), but wasn't able to put a block in the stat sheet. Ohio State earned 9 assists and had 5 steals for this contest. In terms of defense, Northwestern allowed the other team to shoot 34.1% from the field on 14 of 41 shooting. They also distributed 16 assists for the matchup in addition to forcing the other team into 10 turnovers and having 4 steals. In regard to rebounding, they earned 27 with 3 of them being on the offensive end. When they shot from the free throw line, the Wildcats converted 13 of their 17 tries for a percentage of 76.5%. Northwestern wrapped up the game with a 57.7% field goal percentage (30 of 52) and buried 10 of their 19 shots from beyond the perimeter.

Boo Buie is someone who was important for this contest. He finished 60.0% from the floor and also earned 5 assists. He was on the court for 32 minutes played and totaled 5 rebounds. He notched 19 points on 6 out of 10 shooting.

Get all of our NCAA Basketball Picks Tonight

Northwestern comes into this one with a record of 15-5 so far this year. They average 74.4 points per contest (179th in the country) while hitting 47.4% from the field. The Wildcats are hitting 38.1% on shots from downtown (161 of 423) and 72.7% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Northwestern is pulling in 30.3 boards per game and has accounted for 324 assists for the year, which is 49th in Division 1 in terms of passing. They are turning it over 8.9 times per game and as a basketball team they are committing 17.7 personal fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on the defensive end, the Wildcats have forced 13.7 turnovers per game and they draw 16.3 personal fouls. They relinquish 35.8% on shots from beyond the perimeter while they are 96th in D-1 in PPG from their opponents (68.2). The Wildcats defense is allowing an opponent FG percentage of 44.3% (460 of 1,039) and they relinquish 33.3 boards per game as a unit. They are 163rd in college basketball in allowing assists to the opposition with 258 surrendered so far this year.

In their last game, the Purdue Boilermakers went home victorious with a score of 68-60 when they faced Rutgers. In regard to how they rebounded, Purdue permitted Rutgers to collect 30 in total (12 on the offensive side). They finished 25.0% from beyond the arc by shooting 4 of 16 and finished the contest at 8 out of 13 from the free throw line (61.5%). The Boilermakers permitted Rutgers to bury 24 out of their 64 tries from the field which gave them a percentage of 37.5% in this contest. Overall, the Boilermakers went 22 for 45 from the field which had them at 48.9%. In regard to shots from beyond the perimeter, Purdue made 5 out of their 19 attempts (26.3%). They were able to make 19 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 76.0%. Rutgers committed 16 personal fouls for the game which took the Boilermakers to the free throw line for 25 shots. They coughed up the ball 14 times, while earning 8 steals for this contest. The Boilermakers were able to pull down 25 defensive rebounds and 6 offensive boards for a total of 31 for the contest.

Zach Edey was important for the Boilermakers for the matchup. He buried 9 of 12 in the game for a rate of 75.0%, and had 12 rebounds. He recorded 26 points in his 36 mins on the court and accounted for 1 assist for the game.

Purdue has a win-loss mark of 19-2 so far this year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Boilermakers are hitting on 49.1% from the field, which is ranked 16th in college hoops. Purdue has scored 1,783 pts so far this year (84.9 per contest) and they pull in 41.2 boards per contest. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 18.7 times per contest (7th in college basketball) and they are losing possession via turnover 11.8 times per game. The Boilermakers are responsible for committing 13.9 personal fouls every game and they shoot 72.4% from the charity stripe.

The Purdue defense gives up 30.7% on shots from distance (158 of 515) and opponents are converting on 69.2% of their foul shots. They have surrendered 14.5 dimes and 30.3 rebounds per contest, which ranks them 310th and 14th in Division 1. The Boilermakers defensively are ranked 111th in Division 1 in points given up per game with 68.8. They are able to force 10.5 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 40.3% from the floor (41st in college basketball).

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Northwestern

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here