Purdue Boilermakers (22-2) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (14-11)
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes 2/18/24 – On Sunday, Purdue Boilermakers are set to face Ohio State Buckeyes and fans and bettors alike are eagerly examining this match-up. Purdue boasts an impressive record and are considered favorites to claim victory; however, Ohio State may try their luck and claim an important upset victory – enthusiasts who enjoy college basketball free picks may find this contest captivating as every team may present different possibilities depending on performance and betting trends.
Purdue’s Boilermakers boast one of college basketball’s most potent offenses, evidenced by their nation-leading 85.1 points per game average and shooting 49.1% from the field as a team while making 8.6 threes each contest. Zach Edey drives this attack with 23.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per outing; collectively Purdue attacks the offensive glass aggressively as evidenced by 12.1 offensive boards per contest while protecting their rim with 4.1 blocks a game.
Ohio State has had difficulty keeping opponents under control defensively this season. Opponents are scoring 74.4 points on 44.5% shooting against them while Bruce Thornton helps ignite an attack with 15.8 points per game but Ohio State lacks reliable secondary scorers to relieve pressure. Furthermore, Ohio State allows opponents 11.2 offensive rebounds per game and their perimeter defense leaves much to be desired as opponents are making 7.1 three’s every night at 33.9% success rate.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes 2/18/24 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Value City Arena |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Zach Edey (Center) vs. Bruce Thornton (Guard)
Zach Edey has been simply dominant for Purdue this season, playing nearly 31 minutes a night while averaging 23.3 points on a tremendous 62.3% shooting from the field. The 7’4″ junior also pulls down 11.7 rebounds and swats 2.3 shots per game. Edey is nearly impossible to stop in the paint with his size and array of post moves. He also helps anchor the defense and cleans the glass.
Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State in minutes with 33.6 a game, while posting 15.8 points and 4.2 dimes per outing. The talented freshman plays beyond his years but has struggled with consistency, shooting just 41.4% from the field and 32.6% from deep. While Thornton has impressed, matching up with Edey inside is a monumental challenge for anyone.
This clash of styles offers an intriguing matchup. If Thornton can penetrate and create open looks for shooters while limiting turnovers, Ohio State has a fighter’s chance. However, Edey simply overpowers most adversaries, which could overwhelm the young Buckeyes.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Betting odds for this matchup have yet to be released, but given Purdue’s impressive record and Ohio State’s difficulty remaining consistent, Purdue could emerge as the favorite. Bettor should take note of Ohio State’s home advantage as well as potential upsets before placing their bets.
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Trends
Purdue’s statistics highlight an extremely well-rounded club primed for a deep tournament run. Offensively, they net 85.1 points per outing on 49.1% shooting. They also drain 8.6 threes per night at a 40% clip. Additionally, the Boilermakers excel on the glass by pulling down 41.3 boards per game, with 12 of those coming on the offensive end. With quality metrics across key categories, it’s no surprise they have posted an impressive 9-3 against the spread record in road matchups.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends
While the Buckeyes play hard, their analytics showcase a team lacking enough weapons to compete with the Big Ten elite. They score just 74.4 points per game while allowing nearly the same figure against conference foes. Much of that stems from inadequate outside shooting, as evidenced by their modest 33.9% team 3-point percentage. Ohio State also fails to impose their will on the boards, posting -0.7 rebounding margin. With a lackluster 4-5 against the spread record at home, the Buckeyes have consistently failed bettors against top competition.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes 2/18/24 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, Purdue seems poised to win this matchup, given their statistical superiority and recent form. However, Ohio State’s resilience and home-court advantage could make the game closer than expected. Bettors and fans looking for handicappers’ best reviews should consider Purdue’s ability to perform under pressure and Ohio State’s potential for an upset when making their picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Purdue Boilermakers 78, Ohio State Buckeyes 70.