The Purdue Boilermakers are 13-point favorites over the Old Dominion Monarchs, according to the best online betting sites. Purdue’s straight-up record was 23-9 this season (16-4 in Big Ten play). PU also went 17-15 ATS, per the best online sportsbooks. The Boilermakers are coming off a 73-75 loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten quarterfinals as 10-point chalk. ODU finished the season with a 26-8 record (13-5 in C-USA play). Additionally, the Monarchs went 13-20-1 against the spread. Old Dominion beat Western Kentucky 62-56 in the C-USA championship game as 2.5-point dogs.
If you ask CBS analyst Seth Davis, this will be Purdue’s first step on their way to the Final Four. Tough if you ask PU fans, that’s tantamount to what Michael gave Fredo in The Godfather II. That is to say, the kiss of death. I know it was you Seth! You broke my heart!
Betting Purdue
The Boilermakers lost to Minnesota twice in the span of 10 days. The upside is that they’ll be relieved and motivated to face any other school. Especially considering this is going to be last NCAA run for the program’s seniors. “Our seniors have been really good. Ryan Cline and Grady Eifert have given us great leadership,” head coach Matt Painter said. “Ryan Cline and Grady Eifert really understand what’s going on here. A lot of times when guys have to play certain roles, a lot of people (perceive) them differently. In reality, those guys really help you win games. Cline and Eifert really have done a good job for us. They’ve been able to be steady, be consistent and play on both ends.”
According to the best online betting sites, Purdue is s 2-0 SU and ATS in its last two NCAA tournament first-round appearances. As well as 12-1 SU and 8-5 ATS as a double-digit fave. And 6-1 ATS in the last seven following an ATS loss. 4-1 ATS in their last five games on a Thursday. Purdue. 23-11 ATS in their last 34 non-conference games. And 3-8 ATS in the last 11 games on a neutral court.
Betting Old Dominion
The Monarchs have been absent from the NCAA tourney since 2011. They return to the big stage on the strength of their No. 6-ranked 60.8 points allowed per game. ODU is 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in five NCAA tournament first-round games since 1997. Old Dominion went 2-2 SU and ATS as an underdog this season. This will be their first outing as double-digit dogs since 2016. The Monarchs will have the extra motivation of winning one for head coach Jeff Jones, who has prostate cancer. “It hasn’t been an easy year for both personal and professional reasons,” Jones said following the win over Western Kentucky. “Our guys didn’t blink. We showed that we were a team that could consistently win close games.” ODU is only the fifth school to win the C-USA regular season and tournament in the same year.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Old Dominion Monarchs Odds
- Date: Thursday March 21, 2019
- Time: 9:50 PM (EDT)
- Venue: XL Center Hartford, Connecticut
- Odds from BetAnySports:
Old Dominion +13 -110 o +750 o Ov 126 -105
Purdue -13 -110 o -1050 o Un 126 -115
Pick: That the Monarchs won the Conference USA on a 66.2-point per game average speaks volumes of their defensive prowess. Or their opponents’ lack or offensive firepower. Purdue is better on offense and defense than most if not all of ODU’s previous competition. As a result, PU should be able to cover the spread set by the best online betting sites. And probably keep the total under 126 points as well.
