Indiana needs a victory to get into the NCAA tournament as a large bid team, while Purdue looks to finish the season strong and send their crosstown rival home without a good chance at a large bid.
Location: Mackey Arena
TV Schedule: March 5, 2022, at ESPN on 2:00 P.M
The Indiana Hoosiers are 18-11 on the season. Indiana has lost to Rutgers, Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin (2x), Ohio State, Syracuse, Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan. Their best win on the season came against Purdue. Currently on the bubble, this team could use a Quad 1 resume-building win this weekend.
Offensively, the Hoosiers are led by Trayce Jackson-Davis. Davis is averaging 17 points per game on 57 percent. Davis is averaging eight rebounds per game. Other key players on the roster include Xavier Johnson, Parker Stewart, and senior forward Race Thompson.
The Purdue Boilermakers are 24-6 on the season. They’ve lost to Wisconsin (2x), Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Rutgers. Their best win on the season came against Illinois. The Boilermakers ranked 8th in the AP Poll but have been struggling of late.
Offensively, the Boilermakers are led by Jaden Ivey. Ivey is averaging 17 points per game on 46 percent. Another notable scorer for the Boilermakers is Zack Edey. Edey is averaging 14 points per game on 67 percent shooting. Additionally, he is averaging seven rebounds per game.
Purdue’s offense is one of the best in the country, averaging 81 points per game. That is good for 6th in the country. Purdue is 8th in the country when it comes to assists per game. The Boilermakers average 17 assists per game.
While the Hoosiers will have a shot in this game, they will not win this game. Indiana will be challenged offensively against this Purdue squad. While Indiana will be able to hang with Purdue defensively, the Hoosiers will be able to keep with their offense.
Prediction: Boilermakers 70, Hoosiers 60