#4 Purdue vs #1 Houston Pick: Purdue Has Never Beat A #1 Seed In March Madness (Mar 28)

• Purdue secured a decisive 76-62 victory over McNeese.
• Houston defeated Gonzaga 81-76.
• These two teams haven’t met in recent history.

The #4 seed Purdue Boilermakers are set to face the #1 seed Houston Cougars in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Mar. 28, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both teams have demonstrated exceptional performances throughout the season, setting the stage for a thrilling contest with a Final Four berth at stake.

Purdue Has Never Defeated a #1 Seed In March

Notably, Purdue has never defeated a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, adding an extra layer of challenge to this matchup. The Boilermakers have had a strong season, finishing with a 24-11 overall record and a 13-7 mark in Big Ten play. Their offense averages 77.7 points per game, ranking 83rd nationally, while their defense allows 70.6 points per game.

Key players include forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who leads the team with 20.3 points per game and a field goal percentage of 59.9%, and guard Braden Smith, who contributes 16.0 points and 8.5 assists per game.

To overcome Houston, Purdue will need to leverage their offensive efficiency and maintain defensive resilience against the Cougars’ dynamic backcourt.

Cougars Look To Climb Higher

The Cougars have been formidable this season, boasting a 32-4 overall record and a 17-1 conference record. Their offense averages 80.2 points per game, while their defense is among the nation’s best, allowing only 62.5 points per game.

Guard L.J. Cryer leads the team with 15.6 points per game, and forward J’Wan Roberts anchors the defense with 6.3 rebounds per game. Houston’s strategy will focus on utilizing their defensive strength to disrupt Purdue’s offensive flow and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities.

Purdue Boilermakers vs Houston Cougars Pick

Houston enters the game as a 7.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 132.5 points. While Purdue has the offensive firepower to challenge the Cougars, Houston’s stifling defense and consistent performance throughout the season give them the edge in this matchup. Expect a competitive game, but Houston is likely to advance to the Elite Eight.