Purdue Boilermakers vs Michigan Wolverines Picks and Predictions January 24th 2025

No. 11 Purdue hosts No. 21 Michigan in key Big Ten tilt

The stakes are high as No. 11 Purdue welcomes No. 21 Michigan to West Lafayette, Indiana, on Friday night in a pivotal Big Ten matchup. Both teams are positioned as strong NCAA Tournament contenders, but recent performances suggest that both the Boilermakers and Wolverines are eager to regain peak form.

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Clash of Big Ten Titans

Michigan (14-4, 6-1 Big Ten) and Purdue (15-5, 7-2) currently hold the second and third spots in the conference, trailing only Michigan State. With both teams ranked in the top 15 of the NCAA NET rankings (Michigan No. 12, Purdue No. 13), this game could have significant implications for Big Ten standings and tournament seeding.

While both teams have had impressive seasons, recent games reveal cracks in their armor. Michigan is coming off a pair of overtime battles, including an 84-81 loss to Minnesota, the Big Ten’s last-place team, and a grinding 80-76 win over Northwestern. Purdue, meanwhile, saw its 26-game home winning streak snapped by Ohio State on Tuesday in a narrow 73-70 defeat.

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Michigan’s Frontcourt Powerhouse

One of the biggest storylines in this matchup is Michigan’s dominant frontcourt, led by the towering duo of 7-footers Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin.

• Danny Wolf: Averaging 12.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, Wolf is a versatile big man who can even serve as a point guard due to his ball-handling skills.
• Vladislav Goldin: Goldin, the team’s leading scorer at 16.4 points per game, is on a hot streak, averaging 26 points over the last four games. His standout performance against Northwestern included 31 points, eight rebounds, and an impressive 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Goldin’s newfound shooting range adds a dangerous element to Michigan’s offense, as coach Dusty May acknowledged:
“In practice, he’s been knocking down threes with consistency. It’s great to see him translate that to the game,” May said.

Purdue’s Perimeter Precision

While Michigan dominates the paint, Purdue counters with an elite backcourt and sharpshooting from the perimeter.

• Braden Smith: The league leader in assists (8.9 per game), Smith orchestrates Purdue’s offense with precision.
• Fletcher Loyer: A reliable outside threat, Loyer shoots 46.3% from 3-point range and averages 13.8 points per game.
• Trey Kaufman-Renn: Leading the team in scoring at 18.3 points per game, Kaufman-Renn also boasts a 42.9% success rate from deep.

Purdue coach Matt Painter is focused on improving his team’s overall sharpness after a string of uneven performances.
“We always tell our guys to learn from every game, win or lose. Against Michigan, we need a cleaner game,” Painter said.

Keys to Victory

Michigan

1. Dominate the Paint: Leveraging the size and skill of Wolf and Goldin will be crucial to controlling the game.
2. Limit Turnovers: Michigan must avoid sloppy ball handling, especially against Purdue’s aggressive guards.
3. Perimeter Defense: Containing Purdue’s sharpshooters will be a top priority.

Purdue

1. Spread the Floor: With elite shooting, Purdue must draw Michigan’s bigs out of the paint.
2. Control the Tempo: Keeping the game fast-paced will work in Purdue’s favor against Michigan’s size advantage.
3. Balanced Scoring: Contributions from the bench could tip the scales in a tight contest.

What’s at Stake

The winner not only solidifies its position in the Big Ten but also strengthens its NCAA Tournament resume. With a rematch scheduled for February 11 in Ann Arbor, this game sets the tone for the rivalry and the conference race.

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Final Thoughts

The game promises a clash of styles: Michigan’s dominant frontcourt versus Purdue’s dynamic backcourt. The outcome may hinge on which team executes its game plan more effectively under pressure. Fans can expect an intense, high-stakes battle as two of the Big Ten’s best collide in West Lafayette.