Evanston, IL (My Sportsbook) - The 19th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers have made their way to Evanston for a Big Ten Conference clash with the Northwestern Wildcats.

Purdue entered league play with an 11-2 overall record, so the fact that the Boilermakers lost their first two conference games was a bit surprising. Fortunately, the club got back on track with a 65-52 decision over Wisconsin on Sunday. While Purdue has played 16 games this season, only two have been true road tilts, and the team split those contests.

As for Northwestern, it has lost its last three outings to fall to 8-5 overall. The Wildcats slipped to 0-3 in Big Ten action with a 74-45 loss to Wisconsin on January 7th, and they have been idle since that game. With a 7-1 home record, it is obvious that the 'Cats are most comfortable playing in Evanston.

Purdue owns a 117-41 series lead over Northwestern, and the Boilermakers have won the last four meetings.

Strong defense was the key to Purdue's victory over Wisconsin on Sunday, as the Boilermakers held the Badgers to 37.5 percent shooting from the floor. A 34-29 rebounding advantage also helped the cause, as did a 13-4 edge in points from the foul line. JaJuan Johnson racked up 20 points and 10 rebounds for Purdue in the triumph, and Robbie Hummel pitched in 16 points off the bench. E'Twaun Moore is the team's leading scorer through 16 outings, as he is posting 14.3 ppg, and Hummel is close behind with 14.0 ppg. As for Johnson, he provides 12.7 ppg for the Boilermakers, who are generating 72.6 ppg while allowing only 57.4 ppg. Opponents are shooting a mere 36.1 percent from the field against Purdue, which has been tremendous at the defensive end despite being outrebounded overall.

There are three double-digit scorers on the roster for Northwestern, which is posting 64.5 ppg while limiting opponents to 56.9 ppg on 39.7 percent shooting from the field. Kevin Coble paces the Wildcats with his 14.1 ppg, and Craig Moore provides 13.4 ppg. Rounding out the trio is Michael Thompson with 10.0 ppg. In the embarrassing 29-point loss to Wisconsin last time out, not a single NU player reached double figures in scoring. The Wildcats only connected on 31.4 percent of their field goal attempts, including a 3-of-17 showing from three-point range. A 42-28 rebounding disadvantage also hurt the cause in what was a game to forget.