Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Thursday, March 23rd, the (30-4) Kansas Jayhawks will take on the (27-7) Purdue Boilermakers.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Kansas 79.3 – Purdue 73.3 with an over/under of 152.6.  The Vegas Line has a final score of Kansas 81.0 – Purdue 76.0 with an over/under of 157.0.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Purdue +12.6 > Kansas +11.4

Points per game: Kansas 83.4 PPG > Purdue 80.1 PPG

Points allowed per game: Purdue 67.5 PPG > Kansas 72.0 PPG

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Kansas 49.1% > Purdue 48.1%

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Kansas 41.7% = Purdue 41.7%

Three Point Percentage: Kansas 40.6% > Purdue 40.4%

Turnovers per game: Kansas 12.9 = Purdue 12.9

Rebounds per game: Kansas 38.9 > Purdue 35.6

Assists per game: Purdue 18.3 > Kansas 16.2

Summary:

Both Purdue and Kansas have played up to their level of competition going (5-2) against ranked opponents this season.  Purdue has scored exactly 80 points in both of their tournament wins.  Kansas, albeit against lower level competition, is averaging 95 points per game for the tournament.  These teams stack up very evenly on paper so this should be an excellent game.  Purdue really spreads the wealth ranking second in the nation in assists per game (18.3).  The Boilermakers have four players averaging three or more assists.  Caleb Swanigan is a beast for Purdue averaging 18.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.  Swanigan is a rare “inside-out” threat shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.2% from three.  Kansas is led by senior guard Frank Mason III averaging 20.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.  Kansas needs to force turnovers and use their athleticism to get easy transition buckets.  If this becomes a strictly half-court game Kansas will have their hands full stopping Swanigan in the post.  I like the Jayhawks to win because their guard play will dictate the tempo of the game.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion talking Showtime Sports Doc on St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley with Brian Dailey.

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