The No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers (25-5, 14-5 Big 10), one of the nation’s top scoring defenses, host the Illinois Fighting Illini (20-10, 11-8 Big 10) on Sunday. Illinois defeated the Michigan Wolverines 91-87 in double overtime at State Farm Center on Thursday.
Matthew Mayer was the scoring leader with 24 points. Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in with 21 points and seven rebounds. The Fighting Illini are second in the Big Ten Conference.
Purdue won a close one on Thursday at Kohl Center, beating the Wisconsin Badgers 63-61. Zach Edey had 17 points, 19 rebounds, and three assists, carrying the team. The Boilermakers remain first in the Big Ten Conference.
The teams are meeting for the only time this season. Purdue won both matchups between the teams last season, the last of which was an 84-68 triumph at Mackey Arena in February 2022. Jaden Ivey led the Boilermakers with 26 points and six assists.
Kofi Cockburn had 18 points in the losing effort. The Fighting Illini have been led this season by Shannon Jr., who is averaging 16.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Coleman Hawkins is contributing 6.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Edey has supplied much of the Boilermakers’ offense, averaging 21.4 points per game.
He ranks as the ninth-highest scorer in the nation. Edey also has pulled down 12.6 rebounds per game, most in the NCAA. Braden Smith has distributed 4.2 assists per game. Holding opponents to 62.2 points per game, the Boilermakers are one of the best scoring defenses in the NCAA (19th).
In the last 10 games, Illinois is 6-4 with an average margin of +2.3 (72.5-70.2). For the season, the Fighting Illini are averaging 74.7 points per game, compared to 66.3 for opponents.
Purdue has also a 6-4 record over the last 10, scoring 72.1 points per game on average while allowing 67.0 (+5.1 margin). The Boilermakers are averaging 73.1 ppg for the full season while allowing 62.2.
FIGHTING ILLINI HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Matthew Mayer: 26.6 | 19.5 | +7.1
Terrence Shannon Jr.: 15.0 | 23.3 | -8.3
Points per game:
Matthew Mayer: 19.0 | 12.9 | +6.1
Terrence Shannon Jr.: 11.4 | 16.1 | -4.7
Rebounds per game:
Dain Dainja: 3.8 | 5.6 | -1.8
Assists per game:
Terrence Shannon Jr.: 1.2 | 2.7 | -1.5
BOILERMAKERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Caleb Furst: 6.8 | 11.7 | -4.9
Points per game:
Fletcher Loyer: 8.2 | 11.9 | -3.7
Rebounds per game:
Caleb Furst: 3.2 | 4.9 | -1.7
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Purdue -7.5 (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
