Purdue at Nebraska: Preview, Odds, and How to Watch

This is possibly Purdue's last game this year against a team that won't make the NCAA Tournament. It is clear that Wisconsin has played their way back into the field. Purdue's Big Ten Tournament route can easily give it games against only NCAA teams. Given that Purdue handled Nebraska pretty easily in West Lafayette, this should be an easier game. There is still a lot to play for, and as long as the Boilers are taking this game seriously I expect to be fine.

So, naturally, there will be chaos tonight.

When we last saw Nebraska A.J. Hammons was completely laying waste to them, driving them before him, and hearing the lamentations of their women. While wearing the throwback 3-Pete uniforms Hammons dropped a career high 32 points on 14 of 17 shooting. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out five assists, and blocked four shots. If A.J. has a similar game tonight it is completely over.

It is almost offensive to talk about other things from that game, but Purdue also had a solid night from Rapheal Davis. He connected on four of his five three-pointers and finished with 17. As usual, when Ray D. is involved offensively, Purdue is fine.

This was still a relatively close game with about 7 minutes left though. Purdue only led 71-65 with 7:23 left before Ray hit a three, Caleb Swanigan hit a jumper, A.J. had a dunk, and Isaac Haas scored to put it away with a 9-0 run. Andrew White III and Shavon Shield kept the Cornhuskers in it with a combined 34 points.

But the story was really A.J. There was absolutely nothing Nebraska could do to stop him. Shields ended up fouling out of the game and the 6'10" Jake Hammond played only six minutes. I haven't checked, but I don't think the Huskers have gotten a 7-footer or two to be a midseason transfer, so Purdue should be able to continue doing whatever it wants to do in the post. If Dakota Mathias stays hot, that's even worse for Nebraska.

So it is a business trip to Lincoln tonight. I am feeling pretty confident, but Nebraska is a tough place to play. The Huskers defend their home court well and it is their senior night. They were good enough to win in East Lansing too, so we must still be cautious.