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

Houston (32-4) vs Purdue (24-11)

Game Info: Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10:09 pm (Lucas Oil Stadium)

Betting Odds: Houston -8.5 -- Over/Under: 131.5

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The Huston Vs. Purdue

Game Preview!

Hey everyone! Glad to see you back! Get ready for a Sweet 16 showdown because the Purdue Boilermakers are going up against the Houston Cougars this Friday, March 28th at Lucas Oil Stadium. We're gonna break down this game from a betting angle to figure out the smartest plays. So, let's get into this Purdue vs. Houston prediction!

Matchup/League Facts

• Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (58.1).

• Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (19.4).

• Purdue ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (49.6%).

• Purdue ranks T357th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (1.7).

The Huston Team Preview!

Okay, so Houston's having a killer 32-4 season, dominating the Big 12 and fresh off a win against Gonzaga. Betting-wise, their spread record is decent, and the over/under is a bit unpredictable. Offensively, they score around 74.5 points per game, but their defense is lockdown, allowing the fewest points nationally (58.4). They shoot efficiently from the field and are a top-tier three-point shooting team, plus they're solid from the free-throw line and on the boards. Leading the scoring charge are LJ Cryer with 15.6 points and Emanuel Sharp with 12.5 points per game.

The Purdue Team Preview!

Purdue is entering the Sweet Sixteen with a solid 24-11 record after finishing sixth in the Big Ten and coming off a decisive win against McNeese. Their betting performance shows a slight edge in covering the spread and a near even split on over/under results. Offensively, they boast a strong scoring average of 77.7 points per game, fueled by excellent shooting percentages both from the field (top 15 nationally) and beyond the arc (top 20 nationally), though their rebounding is less dominant. Key players for the Boilermakers are Trey Kaufmann-Renn, leading with 20.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, and Braden Smith, who contributes 16.1 points and a team-high 8.7 assists.

The Huston Vs Purdue Game Prediction!

THE PICK: Purdue/Huston Under 132.5

Okay, so for the Purdue vs. Houston Sweet Sixteen matchup, Houston is favored by 8.5 points, a spread that seems reasonable given their stronger record and superior road performance, plus their impressive 15-game winning streak and solid ATS record in the postseason compared to Purdue's more recent inconsistencies. While Houston likely has the edge, that big point spread feels risky. What's more compelling is the trend of both teams playing lower-scoring games in the tournament, backed by Houston's top-ranked defense. Therefore, the play here is likely the under on the 131.5 total points, as a tight, defensive battle seems the most probable outcome. Stay tuned for more picks coming soon!