The No. 6-seed Texas Longhorns (22-11) meet the No. 3-seed Purdue Boilermakers (28-7) in the second round of the East Region. Tip from Fiserv Forum is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Texas vs. Purdue odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Longhorns come into this matchup having taken down No. 11-seed Virginia Tech 81-73 in their tournament opener. The two crushed the 124 total and covered as 1.5-point favorites. All 5 Texas starters scored in double figures and it held the Hokies to just four 3-pointers. It is just 13-20 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
Purdue defeated Yale 78-56 and covered as a 16.5-point favorite in its opener. The Boilermakers are 9th in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. They are led by star G Jaden Ivey, who is averaging 17.6 points per game. Purdue is 14-19-2 ATS on the season.
The winner of Sunday’s game will take on the Saint Peter’s Peacocks in the Sweet 16.
Texas vs. Purdue odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Texas +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Purdue -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas +3.5 (-115) | Purdue -3.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[tipico]
Texas vs. Purdue odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas 66, Purdue 63
Money line
LEAN to TEXAS (+140).
The Longhorns and Hokies were a premier matchup, ranking 15th and 21st in the nation per Kenpom. The Hokies were among the hottest teams in the nation, and Texas pulled away via a full team effort.
Texas shot over 50% from deep on a team that ranks top 60 in Kenpom’s adjusted defensive efficiency. That’s the type of first-round performance that bettors should look into backing going forward.
Purdue barely sits inside the top 100, relying on its second-ranked offense.
However, the Longhorns are elite on both sides of the ball, ranking top 30 in offensive and defensive efficiency, and that should bode well for them. Purdue ranks 207th in opponents’ 3-point shooting and that’s where Texas clearly thrived against Tech.
Purdue is top 10 in points per game (80.7), field goal percentage (49.7) and three-point shooting (39.7). That’s where Texas’ defensive aptitude will help, ranking ninth in opponents’ points per game (59.5).
Against the spread
BET on TEXAS +3.5 (-110).
I prefer teams that are competent on both of the ball.
Texas has quick and experienced guards that should help neutralize 7-foot-4 C Zach Edey. The Longhorns have had a more impressive this season as well with wins over No. 3-seed Texas Tech, No. 3-seed Tennessee and No. 1-seed Kansas.
It’s battle-tested and defensive-reminded, and I’ll take them to keep this game close.
Over/Under
PASS.
Texas showed how it can push the pace and shoot last season, but its mantra this season has been to focus on the defensive end. With Purdue more offensive-heavy yet just 18-17 O/U on the season, I don’t see much value either way.
If there’s a lean, it would be to the Over as both teams have top-30 ranked offenses per Kenpom.
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