Henry Roldán
Two teams with totally unholy qualities are measured next Friday for a spot among the top 32 in the nation and a spot among the best in the East. The Ivy Conference champions Bulldogs boast one of the best defenses in the league, while Purdue is considered one of the most explosive teams in the entire nation when it comes to offense.
Picks and Predictions for the Yale Bulldogs vs Purdue Boilermakers NCAA Basketball Championship Round 1 Game on March 18 2022
- Where: Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee. Wisconsin
- When: Friday, March 18, 2:00 PM ET
- Betting Line: Yale Bulldogs (+15.5) vs Purdue Boilermakers (-15.5)
Yale Bulldogs Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 19-11
- Conference Record: 11-3
- Spread: +15.5
- Over/Under: Under 143
- Moneyline: +950
The Bulldogs were one of the best defensive teams in the conference by allowing the second fewest points (69 points per game). Yale is also a very physical team on the boards and was second in the conference with 36 total rebounds per game and 26.9 defensive rebounds. If your opponent doesn’t have a good day with their shots, Yale could win the rebound quota and come away with an early win in the tournament.
On offense come the Bulldogs’ problems. They usually have a lot of trouble scoring and their standout offensive player is guard Azir Swan, who is the one who does everything in the team. Swan excelled in the Ivy League championship with 25 points, the team’s leading scorer, and recorded some decisive shots at the end of the game that served Yale well.
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 27-7
- Conference Record: 14-6
- Spread: -15.5
- Over/Under: Under 143
- Moneyline: -1750
Ranked fourth in field goal percentage in the nation, the Boilermakers are a spectacle on offense. They can run with the ball, throw from medium and long distance or win in the paint. As for the figure, Jaden Ivey is the man to follow after averaging 17.4 points per game and 35.6% from long distance.
But, in the big dance the offensive is not enough. When you have a good defensive team in front of you, the only way to get ahead is to defend as well. Something that Purdue does not do very well so it ranks number 102 in the nation in total defense. An unflattering position if you want to fight for something serious in March.
JefeBet Prediction
Yale has a good defense that can complicate things for Purdue. However, it doesn’t have the offense needed to put a Boilemakers defense in trouble that is below average, but is capable of stopping attacks also below average. Purdue’s offense will prevail this time around, but I’m leaving with the Bulldogs’ points.
