Top-tier Big Ten squads collide on Thursday when No. 3 Purdue hosts No. 25 Michigan at Mackey Arena at 7 p.m. ET in a nationally televised showdown. Purdue is favored by 10 points, down 2.5 from the opening line. The Over-Under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 137, down after opening at 137.5.
In this huge Big Ten basketball showdown that features two teams looking for a huge conference victory, you need to see what SportsLine analyst Josh Nagel has to say.
Nagel is a Nevada-based expert with almost two decades of experience in the handicapping industry. He has won multiple handicapping contests and specializes in picking college sports.
And he has developed a knack for picking Purdue basketball, as evidenced by his 4-1 run picking for or against the Boilermakers.
Earlier this month, he told readers to take Michigan +1.5 against Purdue, saying Michigan's execution in the half-court offense and speed in double-teaming would neutralize Purdue's size. The result: Purdue 70, Michigan 69 -- another cash. Anybody following his picks is up big right now.
Now, Nagel has studied every angle of this rematch and has again locked in his strong point-spread pick. And he's sharing it only over at SportsLine.
Nagel has taken into account Purdue's strong recent performances. The Boilermakers have won 16 consecutive games, including a dominant 23-point road victory over Iowa in their previous outing.
They've done it thanks to an efficient offense. The Boilermakers, who have scored 80 or more points in 11 of their past 14 games, are averaging 84.8 overall.
However, the Boilermakers' high-scoring offense will be tested against Michigan's top-15 scoring defense. The Wolverines are holding their opponents to an average of just 62.5 points.
But just because Michigan's defense has smothered opponents this season doesn't mean the Wolverines can stay within this double-digit spread, especially on the road.
The Boilermakers are making a run at a national title and they've been virtually untouchable at home. They're undefeated there and have won every Big Ten home game by 10 points or more. Overall, they're 14-6 against the spread this season.
Nagel has identified an x-factor that he knows gives one team the edge against the spread. He's sharing what that is, along with his pick, over at SportsLine.
So what side do you need to be all over in Michigan vs. Purdue? Visit SportsLine now to find out what x-factor will be the difference and get a strong point-spread pick for Michigan-Purdue, all from a Nevada-based handicapper who is on a strong 4-1 run on his picks involving the Boilermakers.