Marquette vs. #6 Purdue: Predictions and Analysis

Saturday brings a fully loaded college basketball slate, but one matchup jumps to the top of my list. No. 6 Purdue welcomes Marquette in a game that feels far more telling than the number beside each team. Purdue enters with momentum after a dominant win over Minnesota, while Marquette arrives searching for answers after a frustrating loss to Wisconsin. It is a clash between a team that looks locked in and a team still trying to find its rhythm. With a near 20-point spread on the board, this matchup demands attention, and it deserves a deeper look.

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Marquette vs. #6 Purdue Odds

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How will the Boilermakers handle this struggling Golden Eagles squad?

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Spread

Marquette: +17.5 (-102)

Purdue: -17.5 (-120)

Total

Over: 150.5 (-115)

Under: 150.5 (-105)

Moneyline

Marquette: +1280

Purdue: -3500

Marquette vs. #6 Purdue Best Bet

In a fully loaded college basketball Saturday, a near 20-point spread has grabbed my attention. No. 6 Purdue hosts Marquette, and both teams enter off completely different results. Purdue is coming off a dominating win over Minnesota, while Marquette is coming off a tough loss to Wisconsin. Do the Golden Eagles stand a chance against a top ten opponent? Let us get into it.

I grabbed the Boilermakers at -18.5 as soon as the line dropped on Friday morning. The number has since moved to 17.5 and I am not worried about it. This feels like another spot where Purdue piles it on or Marquette finally wakes up. The Golden Eagles have struggled in a big way to open the year. They own a 5-5 record with losses to Indiana, Maryland, Dayton, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Against the two top 35 teams on their schedule, Marquette lost by a combined 43 points. Now they have to head to West Lafayette to take on their toughest opponent yet.

Are They Looking Ahead?

Some argue that the Boilermakers might be looking ahead to Auburn, but that matchup is a full week away. With seven days of rest coming, I doubt Matt Painter and his group will be looking past anything. On the other side, Marquette does host Georgetown on Wednesday to open Big East play. Could they be more focused on that? Doubtful.

So far this season, Marquette has struggled defensively against top 100 teams. They rank 259th in effective field goal percentage and 308th in three point percentage defense, and they sit at 256th in three point rate defense. Purdue does not rely heavily on the three, but they should take full advantage of those defensive flaws. Purdue ranks 11th in three point percentage and 211th in three point rate.

The Boilermakers like to slow everything down, sitting in the bottom 25 in pace of play. Marquette prefers to run, landing inside the top 100. With Purdue at home, they will force the Golden Eagles out of their comfort zone and dictate tempo. Does this bother me when laying a near 20-point spread? Not at all. Purdue should still be able to put their foot on the Eagles necks and stretch the margin.

Purdue owns the third best offense in the nation. They are fourth in offensive rebounding and will chase second chance points while eliminating them on the defensive end. Their defense ranks 33rd in the country per Bart Torvik. They are also the second best team in free throw rate defense, which will limit Marquette’s attempts at the line.

All in all, this feels like another Saturday where Shaka Smart and the Golden Eagles take another rough loss. They have been atrocious to start the season, especially against top 100 opponents. If they somehow show up in this matchup, Georgetown will be calling my name on Wednesday.