Houston vs Purdue Prediction 3/28/25 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Houston vs Purdue prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, March 28, at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of this game will meet Kentucky or Tennessee in the Elite 8.

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers (24-11, 19-16 ATS) displayed some disappointing performances late in the regular season; they lost five of the final seven games and entered the Big Ten tournament as the No. 6 seed. The Boilermakers beat USC in the second round but suffered a heavy defeat in the quarterfinals to Michigan. Purdue didn’t have trouble against High Point and McNeese in the opening two rounds of the NCAA tournament.

Purdue averages 77.7 PPG (83rd) and allows 70.6 PPG (134th). The Boilermakers are 349th in rebounds (33.0) and 60th in assists (15.8). Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the team with 20.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.2 APG. Braden Smith follows him with 16.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, a team-high 8.5 APG, and a team-high 2.2 SPG, while Fletcher Loyer chips in 13.7 PPG and 2.1 RPG.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Houston Cougars (32-4, 19-15-2 ATS) are likely the hottest team in basketball and one of the most serious contenders for the championship. The Cougars ended the regular season with ten straight victories and won the Big 12 tournament after defeating Colorado, BYU, and Arizona. Houston destroyed SIU Edwardsville in the first round of the NCAA tournament, while the Cougars had some issues against Gonzaga in the second round but prevailed 81-76.

Houston is averaging 74.5 PPG (163rd) and is allowing 58.4 PPG (1st). The Cougars are getting 36.5 RPG (131st) and dishing out 12.1 APG (333rd). L.J. Cryer is the team’s top performer with 15.6 PPG and 2.2 RPG. Emanuel Sharp has 12.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and a team-high 1.4 SPG, while Milos Uzan contributes 11.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, a team-high 4.4 APG, and 1.0 SPG.

Why Houston will beat Purdue

• Houston has won each of its last 15 games.
• Purdue has lost four of its last five NCAA Tournament games against a higher seed.
• Purdue has lost the first half in each of its last three games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Purdue’s last 12 games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 135+ points.
• Five of Houston’s last six NCAA Tournament night games against a lower seed have produced a total of 132+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Houston ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.7).
• Houston ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+25.6).
• Purdue ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (57.0%).
• Purdue ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (60.4%).

Houston vs Purdue Prediction

This will be the first meeting between these teams. I don’t like how Purdue is performing this year, and it’s clear that it’s not the same team from last season when the Boilermakers played in the championship game. The Cougars have the best defense in the country and will slow the tempo down and control it, which definitely doesn’t suit Purdue. I think this is Purdue’s maximum this year, and it will be the end of the road for the Boilermakers. Houston has covered the Spread in 20 of its last 37 games. I am backing the Cougars to win by at least eight and cover.