Opening Line: Purdue Modest Favorite vs. Rutgers on Monday Night

Purdue might be 13-0 and ranked No. 1, but people who have been betting on them know full well they are great underachievers against the spread. They haven't covered in a game since November and are 1-7 vs. the spread in home games at Mackey Arena. Here's the history vs. the spread for Purdue and Rutgers.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Big Ten basketball season resumes on Monday night for No. 1-ranked Purdue, and their opponent — the Rutgers Scarlet Knights — knows all about what it takes to knock off the top-ranked Boilermakers.

In early December of the 2021-22 season, Purdue won its first eight games and was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the Associated Press top-25 poll for the first time in school history. The poll came out on Monday, Dec. 6 and three days later the Boilermakers play their first-ever game as a No. 1

And Rutgers beat them.

The Scarlet Knights beat Purdue 70-68 when Ron Harper Jr. hit a shot just past half-court as the buzzer went off. Purdue dropped to No. 3 in the polls. They never got any higher and finished No. 10 in the final poll and went 29-8 on the year, losing in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament to No. 15 seed Saint Peter's, another New Jersey school.

The Boilers get a shot at revenge on Monday night, and this time it's on their home court. Oddsmakers like Purdue's changes. The 13-0 Boilermakers are 8.5-point favorites over Rutgers (9-4, 1-1 in the Big Ten), according to the SISportsbook.com gambling website. The over/under is 130.5.

The game at Mackey Arena starts at 7 p.m. ET. Here's how to watch the game. CLICK HERE

You'll be amazed at what Purdue has done against the spread this season. They haven't been good, and have paid off a Purdue bettor since the trip to Portland in November.

Here's what Purdue has done against the point spread all season:

Purdue vs. the spread

Purdue is 13-0 on the season but they have not been a good team to wager on, going just 4-9 against the spread. The Boilermakers covered in their three big games in Portland, including winning twice as an underdog to Gonzaga and Duke. 

But since then, the Boilermakers have failed to cover in six straight games. At Mackey Arena, Purdue is 8-0 straight up, but just 1-7 agains the spread, which is stunning. 

In true road games. they are 0-2 so far and 1-1 vs. the spread. Here's what Rutgers has done this season, straight up and against the spread:

• Nov. 8 — Beat Milwaukee 84-53 as a 25.5-point favorite (won)
• Nov. 11 —Beat Austin Peay 63-44 as an 24.5-point favorite (lost)
• Nov. 15 — Beat Marquette 75-70 as a 8.5-point favorite (lost)
• Nov. 24 — Beat West Virginia 80-68 in Portland Ore. as a 1.5-point favorite (won)
• Nov. 25 — Beat No. 6 Gonzaga 84-66 in Portland, Ore. as a 6.5-point underdog (won)
• Nov. 27 — Beat No. 8 Duke 75-56 in Portland, Ore. as a 1.5-point underdog (won)
• Nov. 30 — Won at Florida State 79-69 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge as 15.5-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 4 — Beat Minnesota 89-70 as a 20.5-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 7 — Beat Hofstra 85-66 as a 23.5-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 10 — Won at Nebraska 65-62 in overtime as an 7.5-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 17 – Beat Davidson 69-61 in Indianapolis as a 14.5-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 21 — Beat New Orleans 74-53 as an 31.5-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 29 — Beat Florida A&M 82-49 as a 37,.5-point favorite (lost)

Here's what Rutgers has done against the point spread all season.

Rutgers vs. the spread

Rutgers is 9-4 on the season, with losses to unranked Temple, Miami and Seton Hall, and lost to Ohio State in early December when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 25. The Scarlet Knights have been a good play vs. the spread this season, going 9-4 against the number, including three covers in a row. 

In true road games. they are 0-2 so far and 1-1 vs. the spread. Here's what Rutgers has done this season, straight up and against the spread:

• Nov. 7 — Beat Columbia 75-35 as a 19.5-point favorite (won)
• Nov. 10 —Beat Sacred Heart 88-50 as an 21.5-point favorite (won)
• No. 12 — Beat UMass-Lowell 73-65 as a 13.5-point favorite (lost)
• Nov. 18 — Lost to Temple 72-66 in Uncasville, Conn. as a 4.5-point favorite (lost)
• Nov. 22 — Beat Rider 76-46 as a 15.5-point favorite (won)
• Nov. 26 — Beat Central Connecticut 83-49 as a 26.5-point favorite (won)
• Nov. 30 — Lost at Miami 68-61 in ACC/Big Ten Challenge as 3.5-point underdog (lost)
• Dec. 4 — Beat No. 10 Indiana 63-48 as a 3-point underdog (won)
• Dec. 8 — Lost at No. 25 Ohio State 67-66 as a 6-point underdog (won)
• Dec. 11 — Lost to Seton Hall 45-43 as an 8-point favorite (lost)
• Dec. 17 – Beat Wake Forest 81-57 as a 9-point favorite (won)
• Dec. 23 — Beat Bucknell 85-50 as an 18.5-point favorite (won)
• Dec. 30 — Beat Coppin State 90-57 as a 25,.5-point favorite (won)

Related stories on Purdue basketball

• HOW TO WATCH: Purdue (13-0, 2-0 Big Ten) returns to conference play with a matchup against Rutgers (9-4, 1-1) at 7 p.m. ET on Monday night inside Mackey Arena. Here's how to watch, with game time, television information and the coaching matchup. CLICK HERE
• PURDUE STILL NO. 1: Purdue remained at the top of the national rankings for the fourth week in a row and sits with a 13-0 overall record ahead of a home matchup against Rutgers. The Boilermakers were one of four Big Ten teams in this week's rankings. CLICK HERE
• UCONN LOSES, TWO UNBEATENS LEFT: Purdue enters 2023 with a 13-0 record and is one of two undefeated teams in the country after UConn's 83-73 loss to Xavier on Saturday. CLICK HERE
• READY FOR BIG TEN: After falling short of its goals last season, Purdue looks to make a strong push in the Big Ten as conference play resumes in 2023. The Boilermakers sit at 13-0, including a pair of victories in league matchups so far. CLICK HERE
• PURDUE ROUTS FLORIDA A&M: Purdue basketball improved to 13-0 and finished its regular-season nonconference schedule undefeated. Junior guard Brandon Newman led the way with 18 points and five blocks off the bench. CLICK HERE