The #9 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the #20 Purdue Boilermakers on Friday in the Big Ten Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Purdue, a four-seed in the tournament, knocked off the five-seed Buckeyes twice during the regular season. Friday’s contest is slated to tip-off at 2 p.m. EST or 25 minutes after the first quarterfinal matchup ends. All games are being held in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Ohio State is a 1-point favorite in the quarterfinal matchup against the Boilermakers, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State dropped their final four games of the regular season but bounced back Thursday in a 4-point victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Purdue was the only team the Buckeyes lost to twice this season.
The Buckeyes came into the Big Ten Tournament, averaging 76.8 points per game while shooting 46% from the field and 36.1% from the three-point line. OSU’s defense surrenders 69.9 points per game and holds teams to 42.8% shooting from the floor and 34.4% from three.
Guard Duane Washington Jr. and forward Justice Sueing each scored a team-high 16 points in Thursday’s victory over Minnesota. Forward E.J. Liddell added 14 points and the Buckeyes shot 50% (28-of-56) from the floor as a team. The shooting effort was important, as the Golden Gophers won the rebounds and turnover battle and attempted 21 more shots than the Buckeyes.
OSU is 14-12-1 against the spread this season, but 0-5 in their last five outings. The Buckeyes are 11-9-1 ATS against conference opponents.
What to Know – Purdue Boilermakers
As the league’s 4-seed, the Boilermakers have enjoyed the double-bye and are rested and ready to get back to action. Purdue wrapped up their regular-season slate as one of the conference’s hottest teams, winning seven of their last nine conference games.
The Boilermakers score 70.8 points per game, behind 45.2% shooting from the floor and 33.5% from the deep. Defensively, Purdue allows 65.5 points per game on 41.2% shooting from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc.
Purdue dropped in-state rival Indiana for the ninth time in a row last Saturday, winning 67-58 at home. Freshman center Zach Eddy was the team’s leading scorer for the second game in a row with 20 points off the bench. Guard Jaden Ivey, another freshman, added 17 points in the victory. Purdue shot 47.9% (23-of-48) from the floor and held the Hoosiers to 38.5% (20-of-52) shooting. The Boilermakers also outrebounded Indiana, 37-24.
The Boilermakers are 14-10-2 ATS this year, with a 5-0 mark over the last five games. Purdue has done well against the books on Fridays, going 12-6 in their last 18 games played on the final day of the workweek.
The Pick is In
They say it’s hard to beat a team three times in a row, and that must be the thought out in Vegas. Purdue closed out their season strong, and their 7-4 freshman center looked unstoppable. Ohio State knocked off top-ranked teams all season, but the Boilermakers always had their number. OSU’s upperclassman is the difference in this one over the youth of Purdue.
The Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -1.00 points
