Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/17/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/17/26

MICHIGAN @ PURDUE (MICH -2.5, 155.5)

CBB ODDS, CBB PREDICTIONS, CBB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS

WOLVERINES @ BOILERMAKERS 2/17/26

This is the heavyweight matchup of the year in the Big Ten. The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (24-1) travel to West Lafayette to face the No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers (21-4) at the legendary Mackey Arena. Michigan is looking to solidify its claim as the top team in the country, while Purdue aims to defend its home court and tighten the conference race. 

Michigan has been the most dominant force in college basketball this season. Aside from a single "blip" against Wisconsin in January, the Wolverines have won 10 straight games, including a 30-point dismantling of UCLA in their last outing. Their statistical profile is nearly flawless, ranking 1st nationally in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency and 4th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. The Wolverines are a perfect 12-0 in road and neutral-site games this season. They possess a unique blend of veteran leadership and elite athleticism that allows them to thrive in hostile environments like Mackey Arena. 

While Purdue is a formidable opponent, Michigan's ability to dominate the glass (9th nationally in rebounds) and protect the rim (led by Aday Mara's 2.0 blocks per game) gives them the edge. While Purdue is 11-2 at home, they have struggled significantly against the spread (ATS) in West Lafayette, posting a 4-9 ATS record at home this season. 

Conversely, Michigan has been a covering machine lately, going 4-1 ATS over their last five games. The Wolverines' average margin of victory during their current 10-game win streak is a staggering +16.5 points. The matchup nightmare for Purdue lies in Michigan's frontcourt versatility. Yaxel Lendeborg (14.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG) and Morez Johnson Jr. (13.6 PPG, 67.9% FG) are too athletic for Purdue's traditional "drop coverage" scheme. If Michigan can force Purdue's bigs away from the rim, they will exploit the lanes for easy buckets or kick out to open shooters. 

Michigan's elite transition offense (ranked 1st in the country) should allow them to pull away late and cover this small number. This game features two of the top nine offenses in the country. Michigan plays at a top-10 adjusted tempo (74.4), and while Purdue generally prefers a slower pace (65.8), they have shown a tendency to get dragged into high-possession games against elite competition. 

Historically, this series has leaned heavily toward the Over, hitting in five of the last six meetings. Purdue has been lethal from beyond the arc recently, making 12 three-pointers in their last game against Iowa. Michigan's perimeter defense is statistically due for some regression, which should allow Braden Smith (14.7 PPG, 8.9 APG) and Fletcher Loyer (13.5 PPG) to find success from deep. With both teams ranking in the top 10 for offensive efficiency, expect a high-scoring affair that clears this total with ease. 

Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. ranks 4th in the nation in field goal percentage (68%). His efficiency inside will be tested by Purdue's Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, but Michigan's superior rebounding (9th in the nation) should provide the second-chance opportunities needed to win the interior battle. 

Braden Smith is the engine for Purdue, ranking 2nd nationally in assists. However, Michigan's Elliot Cadeau is an elite floor general in his own right, and the Wolverines' #1 ranked defense is specifically designed to take away the primary options of opposing point guards. 

Michigan holds a distinct advantage in "hidden points," specifically in transition scoring and offensive rebounding put-backs. Purdue has struggled on short rest recently, going 1-4 ATS in their last five games with only two days of rest.

Get free CBB Picks and CBB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 CBB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert CBB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the CBB betting community the best CBB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best CBB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: MICHIGAN -2.5

If there is a team in the Big Ten that is built to beat Michigan, it’s Purdue. That said, with the way Purdue has been playing - back-to-back road wins over Iowa and Nebraska - why are they not favored at home? Purdue wins at Mackey Arena and they are 11-2 there this year with losses to the No. 6 and 7 teams in the nation - Illinois and Iowa State - according to KenPom. Michigan opened at -1.5 and the Wolverines took early money to push it to -2.5. The Wolverines have won 10 straight and for all those that say they don’t cover on the road, Michigan is 4-1 ATS in their last five games. Three of those games were away from home. 

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