Marquette Golden Eagles vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction and Picks - December 13, 2025
Saturday afternoon Big East vs Big 10 college hoops action, and we have a Marquette vs Purdue prediction ready to rock and roll. Marquette was crushed 96-76 on the road by Wisconsin in their last game to drop to 5-5 on the year. Purdue is off an 85-57 home win over Minnesota, and they are now 9-1 on the year. These teams met at Marquette last year, and the Golden Eagles won that game by a score of 76-58. Continue reading to see our Marquette vs Purdue prediction.
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Golden Eagles Get Routed By Wisconsin
Marquette’s most recent game was a 96–76 loss to Wisconsin on December 6, where freshman Adrien Stevens led the team with 15 points in his first career start, but the Golden Eagles fell behind early after missing 12 of their first 13 three-point attempts. Chase Ross added 12 points and Nigel James Jr. chipped in 11, but the Badgers controlled the game from start to finish, exposing Marquette’s shooting woes and defensive lapses. It was another tough outing for Shaka Smart’s team, which has now dropped four of its last six contests and continues to search for consistency against power-conference opponents.
Offensively, Marquette averages 80.9 points per game, but efficiency has been an issue. The Golden Eagles shoot just 42.5% from the field and 31.1% from three, numbers that have held them back against stronger competition. Ross has been the standout, averaging 19.5 points per game and serving as the team’s go-to scorer, while James has provided a spark as a freshman guard with 12.2 points and 3.6 assists per game. Ben Gold adds size and rebounding at 6-foot-11, contributing 9.5 points and 7.2 boards per contest. Despite the talent, Marquette’s offense has been streaky, often relying on Ross to carry them when shots aren’t falling.
Defensively, Marquette has struggled, allowing 76.4 points per game and opponents to shoot 44.1% from the field. They’ve been vulnerable on the perimeter, giving up 35.6% from three, and their rebounding numbers (37 per game) haven’t been enough to offset those defensive lapses. Smart’s teams are usually known for defensive intensity, but this group has yet to find that identity. Against Purdue’s balanced attack and size inside, Marquette will need to be sharper on the glass and more disciplined in rotations if they want to avoid another lopsided defeat.
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Purdue Bounces Back Big
Purdue’s most recent game was an 85–57 win over Minnesota on December 10, where Braden Smith delivered a brilliant all-around performance with 15 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, and five steals. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Oscar Cluff chipped in 14 points and 11 boards, as the Boilermakers turned a tight halftime lead into a blowout with a 21–0 run to start the second half. It was a dominant response after their first loss of the season to Iowa State, and it showed why Purdue remains one of the nation’s most complete teams.
Offensively, Purdue has been outstanding, averaging 85.2 points per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field. Fletcher Loyer leads the team with 14.4 points per game and is hitting 45.9% from three, while Smith has emerged as one of the best point guards in the country, averaging 13.1 points and 8.8 assists. Kaufman-Renn has been a force inside with 13.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, and Cluff provides additional size and rebounding at 11.1 points and 8.9 boards. The Boilermakers share the ball exceptionally well, ranking among the nation’s leaders in assists, and their ability to score both inside and out makes them difficult to defend.
Defensively, Purdue allows just 69.1 points per game and holds opponents to 41.7% shooting, while dominating the glass with a +10 rebounding margin. Their size in the frontcourt, led by Kaufman-Renn, Cluff, and 7-foot-4 Daniel Jacobsen, gives them a clear advantage against most opponents. The Boilermakers also protect the perimeter well, limiting opponents to 32.1% from three. Against Marquette, Purdue’s ability to control tempo and punish the Golden Eagles inside should be decisive. With their depth, balance, and defensive discipline, the Boilermakers enter this matchup as heavy favorites at home.
Marquette vs Purdue Pick
Marquette vs Purdue Spread Pick
- Purdue -18.5 (4 Units)
Purdue looks like the right side here laying -18.5, especially given how dominant they’ve been against Big Ten opponents. Their most recent game was an 85–57 win over Minnesota on December 10, where Braden Smith put on a clinic with 15 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, and five steals, while Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff both posted double-doubles. The Boilermakers turned a tight halftime lead into a blowout with a 21–0 run to start the second half, showing how quickly they can bury teams once they find their rhythm. With an offense averaging 85.2 points per game and shooting nearly 50% from the field, Purdue has the balance and depth to overwhelm opponents, especially at home.
Marquette, meanwhile, is coming off a 96–76 loss to Wisconsin on December 6, where they fell behind early after missing 12 of their first 13 three-point attempts. Chase Ross led with 12 points, but the Golden Eagles shot just 31% from deep and couldn’t keep pace with the Badgers’ efficiency. Marquette averages 80.9 points per game, but they allow 76.4 points per game and opponents are hitting over 44% from the field against them. Against Purdue’s size inside and perimeter shooting, those defensive numbers are a major concern. With the Boilermakers’ ability to dominate the glass and share the ball at an elite level, laying -18.5 feels justified, as Purdue has the tools to control this matchup from start to finish.
Marquette vs Purdue Over/Under Pick
- Under 153.3 (5 Units)
The Under 153.5 looks like the sharper angle in Marquette–Purdue given how both teams have been trending. Purdue’s most recent game was an 85–57 win over Minnesota on December 10, where their defense completely took over in the second half, holding the Gophers scoreless for nearly eight minutes during a 21–0 run. The Boilermakers allow just 69.1 points per game and force opponents into 41.7% shooting, while their size inside makes it difficult for teams to generate easy looks. Marquette, meanwhile, is coming off a 96–76 loss to Wisconsin on December 6, where they struggled from deep and continue to show inconsistency on offense, shooting just 42.5% from the field and 31.1% from three on the season. With Purdue’s ability to control tempo and Marquette’s shooting issues, this matchup sets up for a slower, more defensive grind that favors the Under 153.5.
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