Purdue Boilermakers vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/09/2025

Game Time: 6:00 pm ET, Thursday, January 9, 2025

Venue:  Jersey Mike’s Arena, Piscataway, NJ

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Purdue -2.5, Rutgers +2.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Purdue -2.5, Rutgers +2.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Purdue -2.5, Rutgers +2.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

Purdue Boilermakers:  11-4 (3-1) (5th place, Big Ten)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  8-7 (1-3) (17th place, Big Ten)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Big Al McMordie is on a HOT STREAK in college basketball on a 60-41 CBB RUN for +$14,760 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Purdue Boilermakers:  3-2  last 5

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  2-3  last 5

Purdue is entering this game with an 11-4 record overall, a 3-1 record in conference games, and they are 1-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Northwestern Wildcats in their last game. Braden Smith led the team in points per game in that game with 22 while Trey Kaufman-Renn and C.J. Cox each were next on the team with 12. Braden Smith led the team in assists with 7 in that game while C.J. Cox led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 50.9% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 83.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.8 PPG against them. Purdue has an ATS record of 7-8 this season and their O/U record is 9-6.

Rutgers is entering this game with an 8-7 record overall, a 1-3 conference record, and they are 7-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Wisconsin Badgers in their last game. Tyson Acuff led the team in points in that game with 17 while Jamichael Davis and Ace Bailey each were next on the team with 9. Jamichael Davis, Tyson Acuff, and Jordan Derkack each led the team in assists with 2 in that game while Ace Bailey led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 34.2% from the field, 26.9% from 3-point range, and 46.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 78.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 75 PPG against them. Rutgers has an ATS record of 5-9-1 this season and their O/U record is 8-6-1.

The current betting odds have Purdue listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Purdue has looked good in their games this season with their 11-4 record overall and their 3-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They haven't looked great in their road games with their 1-2 road record, but they are coming off a win over Northwestern in their last one and they have the talent to win this road game. Meanwhile, Rutgers hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 8-7 record overall and their 1-3 conference record which has them right near the bottom of the Big Ten. They are coming off a home loss to Wisconsin in their last one and have been struggling against conference opponents this year, but they were also struggling in their non-conference games too. They have looked great on their home court with their 7-1 home record, but they don't have the talent on their team that they have had in previous years. They haven't looked good lately either, losing 3 games in their last 5, and their last 2 losses were both by double digits too. Purdue doesn't have the talent that they have had in previous years either, but they are still a better team this season and can take advantage of Rutgers not playing well at the moment. The best way to place a bet here is on Purdue to cover the spread in this game. 

Purdue Rutgers Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 9, 2025 (6:00 pm ET start time) is Purdue 77 Rutgers 71.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Purdue Boilermakers Rutgers Scarlet Knights prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Purdue Boilermakers: 5-13 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 14-24 ATS after playing a home game. 3-8 ATS when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 9-4 UNDER when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 6-3 ATS off a home loss. 12-6 ATS versus good 3 point shooting teams - making 37% of their attempts or more. 12-4 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 27-16 UNDER in all home games. 12-2 UNDER after 2 or more consecutive losses. 13-4 UNDER versus good 3 point shooting teams - making 37% of their attempts or more.

Purdue Boilermakers:  None.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  None.

“It’s been better the last couple of games. Each team that you play causes different challenges. I thought our guys were good tonight. Any time we can outrebound somebody and have fewer turnovers, we’ve been really successful.” - Matt Painter after his team’s win against Northwestern in their last game.

“Obviously he’s talented. His ability to block shots, you saw that, he got in a stance today, he finished plays. He’s got a lot – he just has to become more consistent in everything he does.” - Steve Pikiell on Dylan Grant this season.

M. Colvin 

C. Heide 

T. Kaufman-Renn 

F. Loyer 

B. Smith

A. Bailey 

J. Davis 

D. Harper 

E. Ogbole 

J. Williams

PPG: T. Kaufman-Renn (17.8)

APG: B. Smith (8.6)

Reb/G: T. Kaufman-Renn (6.3)

PPG: D. Harper (21.1)

APG: D. Harper (4.5)

Reb/G: A. Bailey (7.6)

Coaches:

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter (20th season)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Steve Pikiell (9th season)