This will be a statement game for Purdue to take advantage of an Illinois team without their best player in the lineup. It will be tough for Illinois to get up night after night with this suspension on their backs. There is too much chaos and distraction with the Fighting Illini right now and teams have seen how Purdue responds at home to opponents . This should be a good game right to the late second half where Purdue pulls away and covers. Last year, this game went 76-71 in Purdue's favor at home then as well. Expect the win margin to widen without Shannon Jr in the lineup. Purdue are beating .500 teams at home between 6 to 20 points. Purdue will come to play and wear down Illinois on both sides of the ball. Purdue is 9-1 ATS versus top caliber teams - outscoring their opponents by 12+ points per game over the last 2 seasons.

Illinois are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games against Purdue. Illinois are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games against Purdue. llinois are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games. Purdue are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. The league stat is to play on a favorite, like Purdue, in a game involving two good defensive teams (63-67 PPG), after 3 straight wins by 10 points or more pans out 69.7% of the time or 53-23 SU over the last five seasons.

Best bet: lay the points with Purdue.