Picks for 1/5/24
College Basketball
8:30 PM EST
Rotation #892
Purdue -10.5 over Illinois (loss)
Illinois matches up well on paper against the Boilermakers, but it’s hard to gauge because a few transfers came from smaller conferences, and it’s next to impossible to convert those stats to what they would have been in the BIG 10. Terrance Shannon’s loss will keep the Illini from winning big games. Illinois has yet to play an opponent as powerful. The only equivalent would be their 7-point home loss to Marquette. Shannon had 21 points to lead his team; his suspension will ruin the Illini’s chances of being a powerhouse. Purdue is a team that has been together for a long time and didn’t need the transfer portal to save them. Braden Smith will control the floor tonight and dish the ball to Zach Edey, who will live at the rim tonight. The talent gap is worth ten points. Look for the Boilermakers to win by double-digits. Take Purdue.
8:30 PM EST
Rotation #892
Purdue -10.5 over Illinois (loss)
Illinois matches up well on paper against the Boilermakers, but it’s hard to gauge because a few transfers came from smaller conferences, and it’s next to impossible to convert those stats to what they would have been in the BIG 10. Terrance Shannon’s loss will keep the Illini from winning big games. Illinois has yet to play an opponent as powerful. The only equivalent would be their 7-point home loss to Marquette. Shannon had 21 points to lead his team; his suspension will ruin the Illini’s chances of being a powerhouse. Purdue is a team that has been together for a long time and didn’t need the transfer portal to save them. Braden Smith will control the floor tonight and dish the ball to Zach Edey, who will live at the rim tonight. The talent gap is worth ten points. Look for the Boilermakers to win by double-digits. Take Purdue.