NCAAB odds, pick: Rutgers vs. Purdue betting guide for Thursday, Feb. 22

Rutgers vs. Purdue Odds

Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. ET, FS1

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Scarlet Knights have played much better basketball since January, winning four of their last five games. In that span, they defeated Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin and Northwestern — all respectable wins.

Rutgers comes in as the No. 2 team in the nation in defensive adjusted efficiency, excelling in defending the perimeter and in the paint. It generates a lot of turnovers and blocks a ton of shots.

However, its offense is still a problem. Rutgers ranks 275th in adjusted offensive efficiency and is one of the worst teams in the nation in effective field goal percentage.

The Knights covered the spread when they played the Boilermakers back on Jan. 28, but Purdue defeated them in Piscataway by a score of 68-60.

Now, Rutgers finds itself on the road in a bounce-back situational spot for Purdue. I believe the crowd in West Lafayette will fuel their Boilermakers to a big win as the Knights struggle to keep up.

This is a terrible matchup for Rutgers, and its excellent defense won't be enough to keep this game close.

Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers are ready to bring their A-game to Mackey Arena after losing to Ohio State last week.

They're a force to be reckoned with, boasting the second-best adjusted offense efficiency in the country while ranking in the top 20 on the defensive end.

Purdue excel in most areas, but there are a few noteworthy weaknesses. Occasionally, it can be careless with the basketball and miss free throws on offense. It also struggles to force turnovers on defense.

However, Painter is aware of these shortcomings and has prepared accordingly for his team's upcoming matchup.

In their last game against the Rutgers, the Boilers realized how tough the Scarlet Knights are defensively. Still, Rutgers is weaker on the road than at home, which works in Purdue's favor.

As is the case in most games, reigning Wooden Award winner Zach Edey poses a significant threat to the Knights.

But the Boilermakers are much more than Edey. They own an impressive 3-point percentage, which currently places them fourth in the country. While they may experience some negative regression in this area, their offensive talent is still far superior to the Knights defense.

I anticipate Purdue will come out strong and overpower Rutgers. This is a crucial opportunity for the Boilermakers to bounce back and showcase their offensive prowess.

Rutgers vs. Purdue

Betting Pick & Prediction

The Scarlet Knights are facing a tough challenge in Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers have a superior offense and are still a talented team despite some flaws.

This is a good opportunity to buy the Boilermakers, and I predict a big win for them on Thursday. Painter is probably eager to prove the naysayers wrong, and I expect a strong offensive showing from his squad.

We can take advantage of this buy-low opportunity now and sell Purdue later in the year.

Pick: Purdue -15 or Better