Win Will Put Indiana in Sole Possession of Big Ten Lead

On Saturday, the Big 10 conference schedule continues when the No. 16 ranked Purdue Boilermakers visit the No. 21 ranked Indiana Hoosiers. The current line has Indiana favored by 4 points while the over/under total has yet to be released.

Purdue enters this game with an overall record of 21-6 straight up and 12-11 against the spread. On the road, the Boilermakers are 4-4 SU and 3-5 ATS.

Indiana on the season is 21-6 SU and 14-13 ATS. At home, the Hoosiers are a perfect 15-0 SU and 11-4 ATS.

Indiana with a win would be in first place in the conference. The Hoosiers arrive at this game off a win of 80-64 over Nebraska to tie with Iowa atop the Big 10. The Hoosiers are undefeated at home and control their own destiny for the Big 10 title.

However, Purdue has not lost to Indiana since February of 2013. The Boilermakers lost to Michigan last weekend, but followed that with a victory over Northwestern and are now just two games behind Indiana and Iowa. Purdue has lost three of four on the road coming into this visit to Indiana.

Purdue has won three straight in its head-to-head series with Indiana. The most recent was nearly one year ago to the date on February 19, 2015 when they won at Indiana 67-63.

A.J. Hammons has 18 points and 12 boards in Purdue’s win over Northwestern. Johnny Hill scored his season high with 15 points while grabbing 5 boards.

Troy Williams hit 8 of his 9 shots from the field to end with 18 points for Indiana in the Hoosiers win over Nebraska. Williams was held scoreless against Michigan State in his last game.

Robert Johnson scored 13 points versus Nebraska while Juwan Morgan a freshman added 12 points.

Purdue and Indiana split the past six meetings during the regular season. However, the last three have been won by Purdue.

Hammons has four double-doubles over his past five games for the Boilermakers.

The favorite has covered the number in 5 of the past 6 games between the two Big 10 rivals.

Purdue has covered the number in just 4 of its past 14 games played in Bloomington on Indiana’s home court.

Prediction: Indiana is playing very well of late, but Purdue seems to have their number, winning three straight in this series, Nevertheless, I like the home team and will lean on Indiana.