Can Boilermakers Defense Carry Them On The Road?

The Purdue Boilermakers started out their Big Ten campaign with just two wins in their first five conference games. Since then, they have been significantly better, though, racking up a crisp and clean seven-game winning streak.

In that time, Purdue has topped a few quality outfits, including a recent two-point win at the Breslin Center over a Top 25 team in Michigan State.

While Purdue’s shooting seems to come and go, mostly depending on whether they are at home or on the road, one thing that remains constant is their defense. In their most recent two games against Michigan State and Iowa, the Boilermakers held their competition to just 31% shooting from the field and just 12-of-43 from three-point range.

While the Boilermakers have been hot, they will still be looking to avenge a previous loss from earlier this year on Wednesday. The Boilermakers lost 70-66 at home to Ohio State earlier in the year, which dropped them to 2-2 in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers blew a 13-point lead with seven minutes remaining only to lose by four.

Blowing big leads has been an issue for Purdue and they’ll have to play much better to beat Ohio State on the road.

Purdue Boilermakers @ Ohio State Buckeyes

BetPhoenix Odds (BetPhoenix Reviews): Ohio State -2

Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue all have just three losses in the Big Ten but both Ohio State and Michigan State have one more win than Purdue. Sports handicapping players know that the Boilermakers can get a leg up if they win on Wednesday because they’ll hold the tiebreaker with Michigan State and they’ll have an extra win over Ohio State.

This will be a very tall order for Purdue, which has not won in Columbus, Ohio in 12 years.

The good news is that the Boilermakers have recently ended two other long road losing streaks in Indiana and Michigan State.

The Buckeyes are in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten and they are coming off a huge win over Illinois. They crushed the Illini 72-53 on Valentine’s Day and are very confident right now.

Purdue may be the better team overall but they are on the road and it will be tough for them to scratch out another win. Look for Ohio State to get bye and put themselves in good shape for a Big Ten title.

Bet College Basketball Pick: Ohio State -2