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Conference play starts early in the Big Ten when the #1 Purdue Boilermakers (7-0, 4-1-2 ATS) travel to take on the Northwestern Wildcats (5-1, 2-3-1 ATS) on Friday. Purdue is coming off an easy home win over Texas Southern 99-67, winning exactly by 32 as 32-point favorites. Northwestern just won an easy home game as well, taking down Northern Illinois 89-67 and covering as 13.5-point favorites. This is the conference opener for both teams. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 EST from the Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois and can be found on BTN.
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Purdue opened the season ranked 3rd in the AP Top 25, and have propelled themselves to the top spot with an undefeated record. Purdue did not dodge top competition while making their schedule, they have already defeated Gonzaga, Tennessee and Marquette, all of which were ranked 11th or higher at game time. In their last game, Braden Smith was excellent. The 6'0 sophomore had 19 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in the easy win over Texas Southern.
Zach Edey is back inside and continues to dominate the paint. The 7'4, 300 pound center is averaging 21.9 PPG and 10.7 PPG after being named the National College Basketball Player of the Year last season. Edey had a monster 28-point, 15-rebound performance against #4 Marquette two games ago. Braden Smith is a 6'0 point guard for Purdue, he adds 13.0 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 5.9 RPG. Smith was one rebound off of a triple double last game, and is sho oting 50% from three on 11 makes. Lance Jones transferred in from Southern Illinois, he is a 6'1 guard adding 10.3 PPG, and leads the team with 13 made threes. Fletcher Loyer is another shooter, the 6'4 sophomore adds 9.9 PPG and can stretch the floor with his jump shot.
KenPom currently has Purdue ranked 2nd in the nation by using his analytical measures, just behind Houston. They rank 4th in offensive efficiency and 5th in defensive efficiency as they team does not have many weaknesses. Purdue has been playing surprisingly fast given they have a 7'4, 300 pound center, they rank 85th in the nation in tempo.
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