#819 ASA PLAY ON Purdue -2.5 over Michigan, Friday at 9 PM ET - We were on Purdue last night and while they topped USC they did not get the cover winning by 5. We’re coming back with the Boilers tonight vs a Michigan team that was on a sharp decline to end the season. The Wolverines lost their last 3 games and 4 of their last 6 to end the regular season with their only wins coming by 3 vs Nebraska and by 2 vs Rutgers. They’ve been extremely lucky in tight games winning their last 9 games that were decided by 4 points or less. In fact, Michigan has not won a game by more than 4 points in 2 months while 4 of their last 5 losses have come by double digits! They faced Purdue twice this season and got destroyed on the road (91-64) and barely escaped at home (75-73). The Wolverines finished tied for 2nd in the Big 10 gathering a double bye for this tourney, however KenPom has them ranked as the 7th best team in the conference, well behind this Purdue team. If we simply look at the Wolverines efficiency over the last month (since mid February), Bart Torvik has them rated as the 14th best team in the 18 team Big 10 conference. Purdue, despite finishing behind Michigan in the Big 10 standings, is better at most of the key statistics in league play. They rank #1 in the conference in offensive efficiency (Michigan is 14th), #1 eFG% (Michigan is 8th), #1 in 3 point FG% (Michigan is 17th), defensive efficiency is almost dead even and Michigan turns the ball over the most in the Big 10 at nearly 20%. The Boilers are comfortable playing in Indy having played last night and earlier this season while Michigan will be playing their first game here this season. Right down the road from Purdue this will be a “semi” home game with the crowd factor and we like the Boilermakers to take care of business in this one as they get revenge for the road loss at Michigan (started a 4-game losing streak for Purdue) in the most recent meeting! Payback for the Boilers in this one!