College basketball predictions: Wisconsin vs. Purdue, Auburn vs. Mississippi State odds

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Wisconsin vs. Purdue prediction

(1 p.m. Eastern)

The Boilermakers — held below their scoring average in both regular season meetings — are comfortable to move at the glacial pace of the Badgers, whose defense has been lights out in the Big Ten Tournament.

Greg Gard has fared well against Purdue, winning two of the past five meetings against the Big Ten’s best — with no loss by more than eight points — thanks to their ability to limit Zach Edey to an average of less than 20 points in the past four encounters.

Pick: Wisconsin +7

Auburn vs. Mississippi State prediction

(1 p.m. ET)

A top 10 offense and defense is peaking simultaneously, sparking four straight Tigers wins by an average of 21.8 points.

Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs were limited to 63 points in a loss at Auburn. They aren’t built to keep pace.

Pick: Auburn -8

Brown vs. Princeton prediction

(11 a.m. ET)

The Tigers will be a popular upset pick if they make the Big Dance, with Mitch Henderson building on a Sweet 16 appearance to achieve the best of his 11 regular seasons (25-3) at his alma mater.

The Bears (12-17) don’t deserve the same opportunity to dance, but enter Ivy Madness without any pressure and near-equal confidence, having won six straight games.

Brown plays its best in this position (12-6 against the spread as an underdog) and can close the talent gap with the best rebounders in the conference.

In the first two meetings, Princeton attempted a total of 36 more free throws, but Brown averaged more free throws per game this season.

Pick: Brown +10

Cornell vs. Yale prediction

(2 p.m., ET)

The Big Red are due, looking for their first Ivy League Tournament win in their fourth appearance under coach Brian Earl.

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In addition to being tied for the third-most wins away from home in the nation this season, Cornell’s high-scoring attack can survive an off day from any of its most important pieces, with no player accounting for more than 13 points per game.

Pick: Cornell +2

UMass Lowell vs. Vermont prediction

(11 a.m., ET)

The River Hawks have waited a year for this moment, having fumbled a halftime lead to lose last season’s America East title game at Vermont.

They suffered a 12-point loss in Burlington two weeks ago, but took the Catamounts to overtime earlier in the season.

Motivation and experience will allow UMass Lowell to take advantage of the aggressiveness that has it ranked among the top 25 rebounding teams in the nation, as well as top 20 in free throws attempted.

Pick: UMass Lowell +6.5

This season: 2-12
2011-23 record: 349-308-12