Unranked Northwestern heads to West Lafayette to face #20 Purdue on Sunday afternoon. The game is at 2:00 PM ET on the Big Ten Network. Can Northwestern cover the 7-point spread as road underdogs? Keep reading for our Northwestern vs. Purdue prediction.
The Northwestern Wildcats are 10-4 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 8-5-1 ATS this season.
The Purdue Boilermakers are 10-4 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 6-8 ATS this season.
Northwestern vs. Purdue Matchup & Betting Odds
833 Northwestern Wildcats (+7) at 834 Purdue Boilermakers (-7); o/u 137.5
2:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 5, 2025
Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
TV: Big Ten Network
Northwestern vs. Purdue Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 72% of public bettors are currently backing Purdue when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Northwestern Wildcats Game Notes
Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer was excellent in his team’s 84-80 loss to Penn State on Thursday night. The 6’6” senior put up 20 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, a blocked shot, and a made three-pointer. Barnhizer shot 8 of 16 from the floor and 3 of 3 from the foul line in the defeat.
Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli also played well in his team’s game on Thursday. The junior from Glenview, IL recorded 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in 39 minutes. Martinelli is tied for the team lead in scoring with 20.1 points per game this year.
Purdue Boilermakers Game Notes
Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer was exceptional in his team’s 81-61 win over Minnesota on Thursday night. The 6’5” junior from Fort Wayne, IN logged 24 points and 3 assists in 36 minutes. Loyer shot 8 of 10 from the field and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc in the victory.
Purdue guard Braden Smith notched a double-double in his team’s game on Thursday. The 6’0” junior registered 20 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, a steal, and 5 made three-pointers. Smith is second on the team in scoring with 14.9 points per game this season.
Northwestern vs. Purdue CBB Betting Trends
Northwestern is 5-3 ATS in their last 8 games against Purdue.
The Wildcats are 16-8 ATS in conference games since the start of last season.
Purdue is 11-14 ATS in conference games since the start of last season.
Purdue is 10-11-1 ATS as a home favorite since the beginning of last season.
Northwestern vs. Purdue CBB Prediction:
Northwestern has had some success against the spread versus Purdue of late. The Wildcats are 2-1 straight up and 3-0 against the spread in their last 3 games against the Boilermakers. A few other numbers strengthen Northwestern’s case for this contest.
The Wildcats are 12-7 ATS as an underdog and 16-12-3 ATS when playing on 2 days of rest since the start of last season. Additionally, Northwestern is 10-3-1 ATS after a loss and 8-5-1 ATS as the road team since the inception of the 2023 campaign. I like the Wildcats’ chances to keep this one close. Northwestern is the pick.