The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (14-11) and the third-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (23-3) square off in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue is a 14.5-point favorite in the latest Rutgers vs. Purdue odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 139.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Rutgers vs. Purdue picks, you need to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 16 of the 2023-24 season on a 136-89 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $2,500 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 25-13 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows Purdue senior center Zach Edey continues his dominant play, and has registered a double-double in each of the last 10 games. He has 19 double-doubles on the year in 26 starts. In Sunday's loss at Ohio State, he scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. With his 200th career block coming against Wisconsin on Feb. 4, Edey became the third player in NCAA history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 200 blocks and to shoot at least 60% from the field, joining Patrick Ewing and David Robinson.

It is also aware Rutgers junior guard Jeremiah Williams has made an impact since joining the team earlier this month. The former Temple standout is averaging 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, four assists and one block in five starts. He has scored in double figures in four of those games, including an 18-point, seven-assist and five-rebound performance in a 78-56 win over Wisconsin on Feb. 10. He is coming off a nine-point, five-rebound and four-assist effort in the loss at Minnesota on Sunday.

Now, the model has set its sights on Rutgers vs. Purdue. We can tell you the model is leaning Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread has all the value! 

Who wins Rutgers vs. Purdue, and which side of the spread has all the value? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from that's on a 25-13 roll on top-rated college basketball spread picks!