March 7 Purdue vs Illinois: Betting Odds, Predictions, and Prop Bets to Consider

• Purdue and Illinois wrap up their regular seasons tonight
• The Fighting Illini are 4.5-point home favorites over the Boilermakers
• See below for the latest Purdue vs Illinois odds, picks, and player props for March 7

The end of the Big Ten regular season is here Illinois and Purdue. Both teams are riding high after impressive wins. Illinois (19-11, 11-8 Big Ten, 12-4 home, 14-16 ATS) returns home after back-to-back 20-point victories including a road win vs Michigan, while Purdue (21-9, 13-6 Big Ten, 5-5 away, 17-13 ATS) beat Rutgers 100-71 their last time on the court.

Keep reading for my prediction and best bets for Friday’s only Big Ten matchup.

Purdue vs Illinois Odds

Illinois opened as a 3.5-point favorite in the college basketball odds but has moved to -4.5. With -205 odds on the moneyline, sportsbooks are giving the Fighting Illini a 67.21% chance of ending their regular season with a win.

A lot of points are expected to be scored between these teams with an O/U of 160.5. The total opened at 159.5.

Odds as of March 7 at DraftKings. Claim the best DraftKings promo code before placing your college basketball bets.

Purdue vs Illinois Predictions

After a brutal 110-67 loss to Duke a few games ago, Illinois has rebounded nicely with back-to-back 20-point wins over Big Ten teams. They have the momentum, and their 14th-ranked team in offensive efficiency has shown up. They put up 81 vs. Iowa and 91 vs. Michigan, and now they return home. Illinois is averaging over 83 points per game which is the top offense in the Big Ten.

The Fighting Illini like to push the tempo as they are ranked 18th in the country in adjusted tempo. Purdue also has the ability to score behind guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. The Boilermakers are eighth in adjusted offensive efficiency and score 78.2 points per game. The difference is that Purdue likes to slow the game down and focus on their half-court offense. They are 296th in adjusted tempo.

Purdue has played well against high-tempo teams this season, including wins over Alabama and Ole Miss. When Purdue is down, it is because of their turnovers, but lucky for them, Illinois is not great at forcing opposing teams to turn the ball over.

There is no doubt that both of these teams can score, and with the way these teams stack up against each other, I like for the total to go over. The over is 8-3 in Purdue’s last 11 games, and Purdue is seventh in the country in three-point percentage, while Illinois struggles to stop the three.

When it comes to the side, I believe Illinois’s momentum at home will play a factor. The Illini have only lost four times at home, and this is their last home game of the season. The stadium will be rocking. Purdue has lost their last three road games, and their interior defense has been a problem. Illinois has good size and are now fully healthy. Bet on Illinois to cover the spread at home.

• PUR vs ILL Picks:
  • Illinois -4.5 (-110)
  • Purdue/Illinois Over 160.5 (-115)

Purdue vs Illinois Props

Illinois is bottom 15 in the country when it comes to defending shots from behind the arc, which bodes well for Fletcher Loyer. Loyer has made at least two three-pointers in each of his last eight games and is fresh off a seven three-pointer outing vs Rutgers. He will be shooting early and often to offset Illinois’s fast pace of play. There is a high total in this game, so I love getting -122 odds on Loyer to make at least two three-pointers vs Illinois.

• PUR vs ILL Player Prop Pick: Fletcher Loyer 2+ Three-Pointers Made (-122)

On March 7, Purdue will face off against Illinois in what is sure to be an exciting college basketball matchup. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, making this game one to watch for fans and bettors alike. If you’re looking to get in on the action, here are the betting odds, predictions, and prop bets to consider for this game.

Betting Odds:
As of now, Purdue is favored to win this game with odds of -3.5. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 142.5. These odds can change leading up to the game, so be sure to keep an eye on them as the matchup approaches.

Predictions:
Both Purdue and Illinois have had strong seasons, with Purdue currently ranked in the top 10 and Illinois not far behind. Purdue has a strong offense led by players like Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams, while Illinois has a solid defense anchored by Kofi Cockburn. This game is likely to be close, but Purdue’s offensive firepower may give them the edge in this matchup. Look for Purdue to come out on top in a high-scoring game.

Prop Bets to Consider:
If you’re looking to add some extra excitement to the game, consider placing bets on some prop bets. Here are a few prop bets to consider for this matchup:

– Total points scored by Jaden Ivey over/under 20.5
– Total rebounds by Kofi Cockburn over/under 10.5
– Will the game go into overtime? Yes/No
– Total combined three-pointers made over/under 15.5

These prop bets can add an extra layer of fun to watching the game and give you more opportunities to win big.

In conclusion, the March 7 matchup between Purdue and Illinois is shaping up to be a thrilling game with plenty of betting opportunities. Keep an eye on the betting odds, consider the predictions, and think about placing some prop bets to make the game even more exciting. Good luck and happy betting!