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NCAAB Picks, Predictions, and Preview for March 10, 2024.
The Purdue Boilermakers have been seeded first and are ready to participate in the Big Ten Tournament. However, they need to complete their NCAA regular season schedule by facing the Wisconsin Badgers at the Mackey Arena. While the game doesn’t mean much to the Boilermakers, the Badgers will have to rely on a mathematical chance for the top four spots, hoping the Nebraska Cornhuskers or the Northwestern Wildcats slip up on the final game day.
The Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers (16-3, Big Ten) have been confirmed as the Big Ten Conference regular-season champions. They’ve been spectacular all season and have yet to lose a home game. Matt Painter and his boys could finish the season with a 16-0 home record when they play the Wisconsin Badgers at the Mackey Arena.
Maintaining a 100% home record would surely be on their mind, and if there’s a team to achieve that, it’s the Boilermakers. They are currently on a four-game winning streak, with their most recent game being a 77-71 road win over second-placed Illinois Fighting Illini. The home team was superior in the first half, winning 40-34, but their joy didn’t last as they fell in the second half, allowing the visitors to secure a 43-31 win to run away with victory. The Boilermakers Center Zach Edey and Guard Fletcher Loyer stepped up to ensure the win, scoring 28 and 16 points, respectively. They don’t look like a team that will miss a foot when they face the Badgers on Sunday.
The Wisconsin Badgers
With a 78-66 home win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, the Badgers are tied with the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats at 11-8 in the Big Ten Conference with a game left. It was a much-needed win that saw Badgers Guard AJ Storr record 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists on Thursday night.
Now, they travel to play the Purdue Boilermakers in their final game of the season, relying on other games in the NCAA regular season to determine their position. With a top-four finish, they receive a double-bye that automatically qualifies them for the Big Ten Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Hence, you expect the Badgers to put in a good fight, and they are undoubtedly one team capable of hurting the Boilermakers.
Head-to-Head Boilermakers vs Badgers
In the last five meetings between these two sides, the Boilermakers have won three. The most recent encounter was a 75-69 road win in favor of the Boilermakers, with Lance Jones, Braden Smith, and Zach Edey leading the team to victory. If you want to back either team, you will find odds to place your bets on this game and other NCAAB games on the night.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini
The Iowa Hawkeyes (10-9, Big Ten) will host the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-6, Big Ten) at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in another exciting Sunday fixture. The Fighting Illini have shown to be the superior team in their most recent encounter at the State Farm Arena. This time, they will visit the Hawkeyes, who are 12-3 on home court and currently on a two-game winning streak. Their back-to-back wins include the 90-81 home victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions and an 87-80 road win over the Northwestern Wildcats. They lost by a point in the first half in their most recent win (against the Wildcats). Then, they came alive in the second, winning 51-43 to secure the victory on the night. However, they’ll need to do more if they must win against a second-placed Fighting Illini.
On the other hand, it will be another game day for Brad Underwood and the boys as they hope to secure another win over the Hawkeyes in less than a month. Their last road loss (the Fighting Illini) was against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Since then, they’ve won three consecutive games before the loss to the Purdue Boilermakers. While losing to the best team in the conference is understandable, you’d expect the Fighting Illini to fight until the end to earn their 6th road win of the regular season. There’s no doubt they have what it takes, and the Hawkeyes may find it challenging to match them.
Head-to-Head Hawkeyes vs Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini have won four of the last five meetings between these two sides. In the most recent encounter, the Fighting Illini won 95-85 at the State Farm Arena, with Coleman Hawkins scoring a team-high 30 points. This is an exciting game to look forward to, and you can also place bets on this game. However, if you need to take a break from betting, we offer a self-exclusion option, and allow you to set wagering limits on your bets.
