Purdue is favored to defeat Ohio State in their Big Ten matchup. The Boilermakers have a strong offensive team led by Braden Smith, while Ohio State struggles defensively.
Ohio State's basketball program finds itself in a stark contrast to its dominant football counterpart. While the Buckeyes football team celebrated a national championship, their basketball team desperately seeks a win as it journeys to West Lafayette to face a surging Purdue Boilermakers squad. Ohio State's recent performance in Big Ten play has been underwhelming, marked by a 1-4 record in January, including a 1-4 ATS record.
In contrast, Purdue has been thriving after a few challenging games in December, riding a seven-game conference win streak. The Boilermakers, ranked No. 10 nationally, boast an offensive powerhouse led by point guard Braden Smith. They rank eighth in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and 23rd in field-goal percentage, also leading the Big Ten in field-goal percentage (49.9%). This potent offense will test an Ohio State defense that ranks 39th in adjusted efficiency and 185th in points allowed (71.4). Purdue's offensive trio of Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, and Smith poses a significant challenge for the Buckeyes. Kaufman-Renn is a top-10 scorer in the conference (17.9 PPG) and boasts a stellar field-goal percentage (59%). Loyer ranks in the top five for 3-point percentage (47.5%), while Smith leads the conference in assists per game (8.9).This trio's dominance, coupled with Smith's exceptional passing ability (third in the country in assists per game), makes them a formidable opponent. While Ohio State has Bruce Thornton, a top scorer in the conference, the Buckeyes lack the defensive firepower to contain Purdue's offensive onslaught. Smith's evolution from setting up Edey to becoming one of the nation's best guards this season is remarkable. He's not just a prolific scorer (15.1 PPG) but also a brilliant playmaker, averaging nine assists per game in Big Ten play. The matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, with Purdue's potent offense tipped to cover the spread for a seventh consecutive game
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PURDUE BOILERMAKERS OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BIG TEN CONFERENCE PREDICTION SPREAD OFFENSE DEFENSE BRADEN SMITH BRUCE THORNTON
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