Two teams close in the conference standings meet up for an all-important showdown when the Wisconsin Badgers (21-9) head to Mackey Arena to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (23-7). This is the second meeting of the season between these two teams, with the Boilermakers winning the first in Wisconsin, 89-73.
Wisconsin vs. Purdue tips off at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday from West Lafayette, IN, live on CBS.
Below, we’ll break down our Wisconsin vs. Purdue prediction and picks for Saturday’s game. Make your college basketball picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Wisconsin vs. Purdue Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
It’s been another solid season for Wisconsin, who sits at 13-6 in conference play and occupies the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten. However, with only one game separating the No. 3 from the No. 6 seed, a lot can change this weekend.
The Badgers are led by a dynamic duo in the backcourt in G Nick Boyd and G John Blackwell, who combine for 46% of the team's total points and 39.8% of its total assists.
Despite being 23-7 overall and 13-6 in conference play, it has been a somewhat disappointing season for the Boilermakers, who came into the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Poll Rankings. All of that can be rendered pointless, however, with a deep run in March.
Dynamic G Braden Smith may have to lead the way. Smith has established himself as one of the truly elite floor generals in college basketball, leading Purdue in both points and assists. His 8.7 assists per game are the second-most in the Big Ten.
“Yes” on the Boilermakers to win this year’s Big Ten tournament is currently returning a 7.14x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Spread, Over/Under
The Boilermakers enter Saturday’s game as 6.5-point home favorites, returning a 1.21x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Badgers are road underdogs with a 3.7x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Purdue Boilermakers -6.5 (1.66x payout)
- Over/Under: 154.5 (1.69x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Badgers 3.7x | Boilermakers 1.21x
Team Picks payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to help you make your Wisconsin vs. Purdue prediction on the spread on Saturday, March 7.
- Wisconsin is 17-13-0 (56.7%) against the spread (ATS), the fourth-best cover percentage in the Big Ten. On the road, they're 6-3-0 (66.7%) ATS, tied for the second-best percentage in the conference.
- Mackey Arena has typically been a difficult environment for opposing teams, but this year that hasn't been the case. Purdue is a Big Ten-worst 5-11-0 (31.3%) ATS at home.
- Purdue is ranked 335th nationally in opponent 3-point rate at 45.2, 5.7 above the national average. This could spell serious trouble against a Wisconsin team that has a 3-point rate of 51.5, seventh-best in the country.
- The Badgers do a fantastic job of not turning the ball over. They have a minuscule turnover percentage of 12.9%, fourth nationally. That trend may continue against a Purdue team that turns opponents over just 16% of the time (221st).
Wisconsin vs. Purdue Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/7/26
Here are two of the top Wisconsin vs. Purdue picks to target for Saturday, March 7, on PrizePicks. Player stat projections via PrizePicks are headlined by G John Blackwell and G Braden Smith.
Wisconsin G John Blackwell vs. Purdue Projection: 23.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Blackwell is averaging 25.3 points, rebounds, and assists (PRA). On the road, that number increases slightly to 26.1.
- The main reason for this jump is increased aggressiveness away from home, where he puts up 2.9 more field goal attempts and shoots 2.9% better from deep.
- Purdue’s struggles against the 3-point shot could prove beneficial for Blackwell, who is taking a career-high 7.0 3-point attempts per game to the tune of a 37.4% clip.
- The Boilermakers also allow an effective field goal percentage of 51.7, ranking 196th.
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Purdue G Braden Smith vs. Wisconsin Projection: 23.5 Pts + Asts
- Smith produces an impressive 23.7 points and assists per game at home this season.
- In the friendly confines of Mackey Arena, Smith shoots 8% better from the field and averages 2.0 more assists.
- This is a huge tempo-up game for Smith and Purdue; they rank 311th in the country in pace, while Wisconsin ranks 91st.
- Smith went for 14 points and 12 assists (26 PA) in his only outing vs. Wisconsin earlier this season on January 3.
Make Wisconsin vs. #15 Purdue Picks on PrizePicks
There is a lot up for grabs tonight in West Lafayette in terms of both conference and NCAA seeding. Wisconsin vs. Purdue picks for Big Ten ball are just one of many ways hoops fans can get in on the daily college basketball action.
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