Big Ten Tournament Final Odds & Best Bets: No. 3 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 18 Purdue Boilermakers

The Big Ten Tournament Final will feature a classic NCAA basketball rivalry as the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines take on the No. 18 Purdue Boilermakers. It will be Michigan’s eighth trip to the tournament final and Purdue’s seventh. Michigan has won it six times, while Purdue has won it twice.

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

However, Purdue has had more recent success in tournament play, having won it back in 2023. Michigan’s last win in the tournament final came in 2019. Who will win it this time? Let’s take a look at how both teams got to the Big Ten Final, the betting line for the game, and our picks.

Looking for more NCAA basketball and sports betting promotions? We have gathered a list of the best sports betting offers here.

Big Ten Tournament Final: Shorter But Tougher Road to the Final For Michigan

As the No. 1 seed, Michigan waited until the quarterfinals to play its first game. Purdue had to enter during the preceding third round, forcing it to win an additional game to make the final.

Purdue had the easier route despite the additional game. The Boilermakers were never really in trouble during their run, and trailed just once, briefly against UCLA.  The Bruins made the first basket of the game, but that was the only time Purdue trailed during tournament play.

As for Michigan, both games were dogfights. It led by 4 at the half, 39-35, against Ohio State and stretched that lead out to 7 early in the second. But the Buckeyes pulled ahead late in the half, 62-60, before Michigan went on to win 71-67.

The Wolverines' semifinal game against Wisconsin may have been the most competitive game of the tournament. The Badgers held an 8-point lead at one point and led for most of the game (47% of the time). Michigan didn’t pull ahead for good until Yaxel Lendeborg hit a 3-pointer with the final shot of the game.

Best Brand

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Bet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). "Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. 21+ and present in MA. Connect with a PlayWell Advisor at PlayWell.org. Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook

Newcomer

DraftKings Promo

New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly

Get bonus now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.

Big Ten Tournament Final Odds & Picks

• Spread: Purdue +6.5 at -104 | Michigan -6.5 at -118
• Moneyline: Purdue +240 | Michigan -300
• TOTAL: O/U 149.5 at -110/-110

Odds via FanDuel

If the regular season meeting is any indication, the last conference tournament final of the weekend could be the least competitive. Michigan got out to a 16-point lead at the break before cruising through the second to an 11-point win, 91-80.

The Wolverines dominated many facets of the game, hitting more shots (30-27) and at a higher percentage (53% to 39%). They won the rebound battle, 39 to 31, recorded twice as many assists (24 to 12), and had more blocks.  However, they also had more turnovers (14 to 6), fewer points off turnovers (12 to 22), and lost the paint battle (32-28).

Purdue was able to do something it is not known for: force turnovers (No. 12 in the Big Ten, 10.32 per game). But it couldn’t slow Michigan down, forcing the Wolverines to play faster, which negated their half-court efficiency.

Michigan will likely look to execute a similar game plan today, pushing the tempo, keeping Purdue off balance, and preventing the Boilermakers’ defense from getting set. Purdue will try to slow the game down, get its elite half-court offense on track, and dominate the paint.

Lendeborg, who hit the game-winner against Ohio State, leads the Wolverines in scoring this season with 14.4 points per game. He had 13 points and seven assists in Michigan’s win over Purdue. Elliot Cadeau led that game in scoring with 17 points (he averages 10.2 ppg).

Braden Smith has done a great job of distributing the ball and facilitating the Purdue offense with 16, 10, and 9 assists. But he is the team’s leading scorer (14 ppg) and scored five points in each of Purdue’s tournament games.

My Pick: Purdue +6.5 at -104

• Michigan was easily the better team between the two in the regular season, but the Boilermakers have been playing better basketball in the tournament. I would still pick the Wolverines to win outright. However, I think Purdue will make the most of the momentum it’ll bring into this game and keep it close.

Big Ten Tournament Final: Player Props

• Yaxel Lendeborg, UNDER 16.5 Points at -122 (FanDuel)

He averages 14.4 points per game this season. However, Lendeborg has scored just six and 12 points in Michigan’s two tournament games. Prior to the Big Ten Tournament, he went OVER this mark in three of his last ten games, including a 13-point outing against Purdue. Michigan does not rely on one player to lead the charge on the scoreboard, and that will likely not change in this game.

Lendebourg will play a crucial role in this game for Michigan, but don’t expect a massive day on the scoreboard.

• Braden Smith, OVER 8.5 Assists at -105 (bet365)

He leads the team in scoring (14 ppg), ut the offense relies heavily on Smith creating shots for other players more than himself. To that end, he has averaged nine assists per game this season and has recorded OVER this TOTAL in his last five games and in 20 of 34 games this season.