No. 6 Purdue vs. Illinois

WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST
WHERE: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette
TV: ESPN
RECORDS: Purdue is 24-5, 13-3 Big Ten; Illinois 18-11, 8-8
OF NOTE: There isn’t a hotter team in the country than Purdue right now and that’s in large part due to seniors JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore. The Boilers are looking to win their seventh straight game and stay just one game back of league-leading Ohio State, who has two decent challenges this week. If Purdue wins, it will give the Boilers a season sweep against the Illini for the second straight season. When the Boilers won in Champaign, Ill., three weeks ago, Johnson had 24 points and nine rebounds, while Moore added 20 points.

PREDICTIONS: Purdue 74, Illinois 60 (Bridges). This is a no-doubter. After picking against Purdue in two of its past three road games, I’ve realized that not much is slowing the Boilers down, especially in Mackey. There’s no doubt the building will be full of emotion with it being Senior Night, but JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore won’t be too jacked with the festivities coming after the game. Look for Illinois to roll over like it normally does when the going gets tough and for Purdue to run away with it. The win gives Purdue its first undefeated season in Mackey Arena history.

Purdue 73, Illinois 58 (Langdon). It’s senior night, but I think E’Twaun struggles and JaJuan can’t match the performance he had Sunday. Instead, it’s all role players tonight. Byrd, Barlow, and LewJack lead Purdue to a victory. McCamey is absent all game.

Purdue 80, Ilinois 70 (Nielsen). After an amazing four years, JaJuan Johnson and E’twaun Moore are playing their last games at Mackey Areana. Both are going to be hyped up for this game and their teammates aren’t going to want them to go out with a loss. Purdue will control this game from start to finish. Illinois looks like they are just going through the motions right now. It’s going to be an emotional night in Mackey, with JJ and Smooge helping get Purdue back to where they belong on the national landscape.

Purdue 75, Illinois 64 (Nyatawa). It better not be any closer than that. My predictions: DJ Byrd will not be wearing a Vampire-like, camouflage trench coat like he was in my odd dream last night, but he will have a good game after his foul-plagued efffort vs. MSU … Demetri McCamey will play 29 minutes, but will only be mentally engaged for three of those … Lewis Jackson will have a field day because no Illini guard is quick enough to defend him. 23 for LewJack! … After the final buzzer sounds and the two coaches meet at center court, Matt Painter will politely inform Bruce Weber that he’ll be welcome back as the lead Purdue assistant as soon as this Illinois fling ends.