Purdue vs Fairleigh Dickinson Prediction, 03/17

Photo Credit: © Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Preview

The NCAA Tournament is finally here, and the Purdue Boilermakers are set to take on the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights in the first round. The Boilermakers come into the tournament as a No. 3 seed, while the Knights are a No. 14 seed. The betting line for the game has Purdue as 23-point favorites, with an over/under of 145.5. In this article, we'll break down both teams, look at the betting trends, and make a prediction for the game.

Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers had a fantastic season, finishing with a record of 29-5 and a 15-5 record in Big Ten play. They are a well-rounded team that is strong on both ends of the court. On offense, they are led by Zach Edey, who is averaging 22.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. Edey is a force in the paint and should have no trouble dominating the Knights' frontcourt. Braden Smith has also been a key contributor for the Boilermakers, averaging 11 points and 4.2 assists over the past 10 games.

Defensively, the Boilermakers are strong as well. They allow just 65.2 points per game, which ranks 44th in the nation. They are particularly strong at defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 30.1% from beyond the arc. They also excel at rebounding, averaging 36.2 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in college basketball.

Overall, the Boilermakers are a well-coached team that plays excellent basketball on both ends of the court. They have a great chance to make a deep run in the tournament, and this game against Fairleigh Dickinson should be a good warm-up for them.

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights

The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights come into the tournament as a No. 14 seed, with a record of 20-15 and a 10-6 record in NEC play. They are a solid team, but they will have their work cut out for them against the Boilermakers.

Offensively, the Knights are led by Demetre Roberts, who is averaging 16.4 points per game over the last 10 games. Joe Munden Jr. has also been a key contributor, averaging 10.6 points per game. However, the Knights do not have a lot of depth on offense, and they will struggle to keep up with the Boilermakers' high-powered attack.

Defensively, the Knights are average at best. They allow 74.5 points per game, which ranks eighth in the NEC. They also struggle on the glass, averaging just 31.8 rebounds per game. Against a team like Purdue, who excels at rebounding, this could be a major problem.

Overall, the Knights are a solid team, but they are simply outmatched in this game. They will need to play their best game of the season to have any chance of pulling off an upset.

Betting Trends

The betting line for this game has Purdue as 23-point favorites, with an over/under of 145.5. The line has remained steady since opening, indicating that the public is not expecting an upset in this game.

Looking at the betting trends, Purdue has been a strong team to bet on this season. They are 19-13-1 against the spread and have covered the spread in five of their last six games. They have also been a strong team to bet on in non-conference games, covering the spread in 11 of their 14 non-conference games this season.

On the other hand, Fairleigh Dickinson has not been a great team to bet on this season. They are 15-17 against the spread and have covered the spread in just three of their last 10 games.

Public Betting Data

According to public betting data, the majority of the public is siding with Purdue in this game. As of writing, 80% of bets are on Purdue to cover the 23-point spread.

Prediction

There is no question that Purdue is the better team in this matchup. They have a dominant frontcourt led by Zach Edey, who should have no trouble dominating the Knights' frontcourt. Purdue also has a strong defense and excels at rebounding, which should give them a significant advantage in this game.

Meanwhile, Fairleigh Dickinson does not have the depth or talent to keep up with the Boilermakers. They may be able to keep it close for a little while, but it is unlikely that they will be able to hang with Purdue for the entire game.

With that being said, we believe that Purdue will win this game easily and cover the 23-point spread. They are the better team in every aspect of the game, and they should be able to dominate from start to finish.

PICK: Purdue -23 (-110)

Don't forget to download the KingPin.pro iOS and Android app for expert picks, betting trends, and public betting data on all of your favorite sports. KingPin.pro is an innovative sports betting app for both iOS and Android that offers real-time odds, public betting data, and betting trends to help users make informed decisions when placing bets on a wide range of sports, including NCAAB. This app's thorough data analysis and user-friendly interface have made it a popular choice among sports bettors looking for an edge in the March Madness Vegas odds.

One of the most distinguishing features of KingPin.pro is its platform for connecting with NCAAB experts and gaining access to their picks. Users can create an account and purchase NCAAB expert picks and other sports handicapping picks. The app allows them to choose from a pool of expert handicappers, view their picks, and follow them to stay updated on their latest insights.

In addition, KingPin.pro provides a unique option for users to place their own NCAAB picks and compete for a spot on the top 10 leaderboard. This incentivizes them to make informed and accurate NCAAB picks, and they may earn rewards for their success.

The app also enables users to purchase access to view all NCAAB picks on the site, including those from handicappers they don't follow. This gives them more insight into the overall trends and predictions of the community to make even more informed NCAAB betting decisions.

Overall, KingPin.pro is a comprehensive platform that offers sports bettors the opportunity to access NCAAB expert picks, compete against others, and make their own NCAAB picks to potentially earn money. With its user-friendly interface and accessibility, it is an ideal choice for sports bettors looking to make March Madness picks and other sports betting decisions.