Pat Forde provides a preview and a pick for Saturday’s biggest game.
Forget what’s happening on Tobacco Road; Purdue vs. Indiana is the best rivalry game of the weekend. Purdue is absolutely deserving of its No. 1 ranking, playing at a high level behind the tower of power that is 7’4” Zach Edey. And yet, the Boilers are overdue to lose and this is the spot to drop one.
No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 21 Indiana
Game Info: Feb. 4, 2023 | 4 p.m. ET | ESPN
Purdue Straight-Up Record: 21-1 (11-1 Big Ten)
Purdue Against the Spread Record: 10-11-1
Indiana Straight-Up Record: 15-7 (6-5 Big Ten)
Indiana Against the Spread Record: 10-11-1
Purdue’s supporting cast around Edey — particularly at guard — is not lavishly talented. Indiana’s defensive length might be a problem for 6-foot freshman Braden Smith, and fellow guard Fletcher Loyer might be hitting the freshman wall following playing big minutes all season (4 of 15 from three in his last five games). Indiana also might be getting back one or more of three players who have missed time with injury or illness (C.J. Gunn, Jordan Geronimo, Xavier Johnson). Most importantly, the Hoosiers have their own stud in the middle in Trayce Jackson-Davis, who should give them a chance to single-cover Edey and not create open shots for Purdue elsewhere.
Indiana has authoritatively taken care of business in Assembly Hall the last three games, beating Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State by an average of 15.7 points. The Hall will be rocking for this one.
MONEYLINE BET: Indiana
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