The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have been on a special four-game win streak, taking down Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Illinois, all of which were ranked inside the AP Top 20.
Meanwhile, Purdue has been up and down of late, blowing out Illinois, getting crushed by Michigan, and barely holding on against Maryland and Northwestern, two of the Big Ten's bottom-half teams.
Will Rutgers' late-season resurgence continue or will the Boilermakers get revenge for the 70-68 loss back in December? Read our college basketball picks and predictions for Rutgers vs. Purdue to find out.
Rutgers vs Purdue odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Purdue hit the board as 12-point favorites and has ticked up to -12.5 at the time of writing. The total opened at 139 and has settled at 138.5 at most sportsbooks.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Rutgers vs Purdue predictions
Predictions made on 2/20/2022 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Rutgers vs Purdue game info
• Location: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, ID
• Date: Sunday, February 20, 2022
• Tip-off: 5:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1
Rutgers at Purdue betting preview
Injuries
Rutgers: Ron Harper Jr. F (Questionable).
Purdue: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Rutgers is 5-0 ATS in its last five games and 7-0 ATS in its last seven as an underdog. Find more NCAA betting trends for Rutgers vs. Purdue.
Rutgers vs Purdue picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
The run that Rutgers has been on over the last two weeks can't be overstated. After sitting at 12-9 overall and in the middle of a bunched-up Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights have taken down four of the Big Ten's best units and have jumped up to fourth in the Big Ten in the process.
In those four huge wins over Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Illinois, it's been the chaotic defense that's stepped up in a big way, holding each of those offenses to 65 points or fewer (62.75 ppg).
But tonight, that defense will get put to the test on the road against No. 5 Purdue, a team that ranks fourth in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom and averages 82.1 points per game (fifth in the nation).
In tonight's matchup, the biggest difference-maker will be the availability of Ron Harper Jr. (15.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg), who injured his left hand late in the 70-59 win over Illinois on Wednesday. The team announced he was day-to-day and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight's contest.
Harper Jr. torched Purdue's defense in the 70-68 December 9 win with 30 points and 10 rebounds on 10-15 shooting, even hitting the buzzer-beating game-winner. If he can't suit up, the Scarlet Knights could struggle to replace that type of offensive production.
Even so, it's hard to pick against Rutgers with this many points. They're as hot as anyone in the Big Ten right now, playing with sky-high confidence, and won't be scared of another ranked matchup like this one.
I'd recommend waiting to see if Harper Jr. gets cleared to play. If he does, this is an auto-bet.
Prediction: Rutgers +12.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
In the December 9 matchup, the total closed at 139 but stayed just Under with 138 total points.
Tonight, the number is a shade lower at 138.5 but I'm backing it to finish on the other side of the number.
Rutgers' defense has been great of late but Purdue's offense plays significantly better at home. The Boilermakers should have no problem clearing the 68 points they scored in the first matchup.
But as we alluded to earlier, Harper Jr.'s status could play a big role. If he suits up, the Scarlet Knights should be well-positioned to take advantage of a Purdue defense that can be inconsistent at times and only ranks 102nd in adjusted defensive efficiency.
We know what Purdue can do offensively, but if Harper plays, Rutgers should keep for the most part and do enough to help send this game Over.
Prediction: Over 138.5 (-110)
Best bet
If Harper Jr. does in fact play this evening, it's Rutgers or nothing.
Yes, Purdue is one of the best teams in the nation, but they can be inconsistent at times. In just the last week, they barely avoided a last-second home defeat against Maryland and could only beat Northwestern by six. These are teams they should handle.
Rutgers is 7-0 ATS in its last seven as an underdog and might be the hottest team in the Big Ten. Take the points.
Pick: Rutgers +12.5 (-110)
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Use our college basketball parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
