The conference schedule and 2023 is now upon us this college basketball season! Teams finally begin to grind through the meat of their toughest games. Guess what this week brings us? That's right. Let's head to the state of Indiana. At Online Sports Betting, we look at a matchup which could boil over. So, first, we look at Monday NCAA Basketball Picks featuring the Purdue Boilermakers. They tangle with Rutgers, a team with a solid record in the early going.
- WHAT: Purdue Boilermakers versus Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- WHEN: Monday, January 2nd, 2023, 7:00 pm ET on BTN or streamed on FUBO TV
- WHERE: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana
- WHY: Big Monday Matchup
The bettors love games like this usually. The Monday NCAA Basketball Picks spotlight an undefeated team who happens to be number one in the nation. Now, betting on NCAA College Men's basketball futures is challenging. After all, Purdue is not quite topping the futures at +2000. Here is a quick table for the Boilermakers tonight, courtesy of Bovada Online Sportsbook.
| NCAA Monday Patriot Numbers |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Colgate (-7.5) | -110 | -110 |
| Army | -110 | -110 |
Monday NCAA Basketball Picks Curious About Purdue
Monday NCAA Basketball Picks are curious about Purdue. So, what happened with Purdue in the last week? Honestly, that answer is not much. Purdue played last Thursday and routed Florida A&M by 33 points. It was not much of a contest as expected. The Boilermakers rolled and extended their winning streak to 13 games. Purdue remains the only top undefeated team left in all of college basketball. That perch is lonely and teams will come at them with their best efforts.
Despite that, is it a surprise that the Boilermakers are a mere eight-point favorites on Monday night? Yes, conference play is a different animal than non-conference cupcakes. However, the Boilermakers enjoy home cooking versus the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Some believe that is automatic grounds for a double-digit spread.
Let's take on this Monday night game. Also, we expound a bit more on Purdue in general. How long can the Boilermakers keep this undefeated streak in tact?
Matt Painter Not Worried About Purdue
The Monday NCAA Basketball Picks go all in on Purdue. Matt Painter is not worried about Purdue. Purdue gets into the meat of its "Big 10 Schedule" starting with Rutgers. At 9-4, Painter knows Rutgers is dangerous. Early on, the Scarlet Knights have shown their defensive mettle. Currently, the New Jersey college is 4th in the nation allowing a mere 54.5 points per contest. That gets Painter's attention quickly.
The other thing Purdue understands is that Rutgers ranks high on other metrics too. That gets headlined by their SRS (Simple Rating System) number of 19.46. That ranks tenth in the nation currently among all college teams. Purdue now understands they are going against no tomato can here. Rutgers can play almost any style and held a talented Seton Hall team to just 45 points despite losing.
Those are two reasons Painter can appear not too worried about his Purdue team. Purdue and Zach Edey comprehend they need to up their intensity. Clifford Omoruvi will not be afraid of Edey. The Roselle Catholic high school standout is now a Junior at Rutgers and leads the team averaging 15 points a contest. It is his ability on the defensive side of the ball that draws notice and praise from other Big 10 coaches including Painter.
Again, Purdue features three players from the Top 100 GSCI and that does not include Edey. If there is one matchup which looms big in this game, it is this center on center clash. Rutgers can keep the score down if Omoruvi shuts down Edey or gets him in foul trouble. Edey has not committed more than two personal fouls since a November 24th game against West Virginia.
Monday NCAA Basketball Picks Laying Eight Points?
So, what about Big Monday's NCAA basketball picks laying a mere eight points? The rationale is that Purdue struggles sometimes in games like this. They did last year and ironically, their SRS, ranks 12th in the nation just behind Rutgers. Home-court advantage helps on a night like this. Furthermore, their offensive rating scores at 116.6 which is fifth in the nation. If any team can break Rutgers a bit, it may just be Purdue.
The Rutgers team is a Big 10 school that still plays a lot like a Big East team. Despite dropping that close game to Seton Hall and even the one to Miami (Florida), they will be more than ready. However, Purdue will be as well. Keep in mind, the Boilermakers' youth has served them well in the early going. Zach Edey mentioned players like Fletcher Loyer and Brendan Smith prominently. Their guard play keeps teams honest and that perimeter shooting could buoy the Boilermakers Monday night.
There is a belief that Rutgers can keep this close late. On the other hand, Purdue plays for the moment. Whether Purdue lays eight or nine points means little. Take the points here anyway. Purdue is rested and motivated for this big game.
What About The Over For Tonight?
Finally, Monday NCAA Basketball Picks considers the over for tonight. This game saw the over shift several times. The recommendation remains to keep an eye out for further movement. After all, this contest slid down to 132 points. Purdue carries the potential to score 80+ here by itself. However, there is that Rutgers defense and does it travel? Purdue has seen its games connect on the under in four straight games based on 132 points.
Online Sportsbook Reviews To Examine
Please understand this Monday night is light. Now, examine more online sportsbook reviews where that Purdue game versus Ohio State looms even larger this week:
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