Purdue Boilermakers vs Arizona Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/28/2026

Game Time: 8:49 pm ET, Saturday, March 28, 2026

Venue:  SAP Center, San Jose, CA

Where to Watch:  TBS, truTV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Purdue +6.5, Arizona -6.5; Over/Under:  151.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Purdue +6.5, Arizona -6.5; Over/Under:  152.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Purdue +6.5, Arizona -6.5; Over/Under:  152.5 points

Purdue Boilermakers:  30-8 (13-7) (7th place, Big Ten)

Arizona Wildcats:  35-2 (16-2) (1st place, Big 12)

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Purdue Boilermakers:  5-0  last 5

Arizona Wildcats:  5-0  last 5

Purdue is entering this game with a 30-8 record overall, a 13-7 record in conference games, and they are 10-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Virginia Cavaliers in their last game. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the team in points in that game with 20 while Fletcher Loyer was next on the team with 18. Braden Smith led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Trey Kaufman-Renn and C. J. Cox each led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 48.4% from the field, 20% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.3 PPG against them. Purdue has an ATS record of 17-21 this season and their O/U record is 21-17.

Arizona is entering this game with a 35-2 record overall, a 16-2 conference record, and they are 10-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Arkansas Razorbacks in their last game. Brayden Burries led the team in points in that game with 23 while Koa Peat was next on the team with 21. Ivan Kharchenkov and Jaden Bradley each led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Tobe Awaka led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 63.8% from the field, 62.5% from 3-point range, and 76.9% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 86.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.9 PPG against them. Arizona has an ATS record of 22-14-1 this season and their O/U record is 19-18.

The current betting odds have Arizona listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Arizona has looked great in their games this season with their 35-2 record overall and their 16-2 conference record which had them right at the top of the Big 12. They have looked great in their neutral site games this season too with their 10-0 record in those. Meanwhile, Purdue has looked really good in their games this season with their 30-8 record overall and their 13-7 conference record which had them in the top half of the Big Ten. They are also 10-0 in their neutral site games this year. Purdue has looked really good lately with 7 wins in a row now as they won the Big Ten Tournament. They haven't had the toughest path in this tournament so far though and they are off a 2 point win over Texas in their last one, a game which they almost lost at the end. Now they have to face the best team in the Big 12 who has also looked like the best team in the nation at times this season. Arizona only has 2 losses all season which came in a row after starting the year undefeated through their first 23 games. They have also been crushing opponents in this tournament and they are off a huge win over a really good Arkansas team in the last round, putting up 109 points in a 21 point win. Purdue has definitely looked better in this tournament, but they have had a lot of trouble against stronger opponents in their own conference this season and this is going to be the end of the line for them against a far superior opponent. The best way to place a bet here is on Arizona to cover the spread in this game. 

Purdue Arizona Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 28, 2026 (8:49 pm ET start time) is Arizona 84 Purdue 74.

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Purdue Boilermakers: 6-11 ATS when the total is 150 to 159.5. 4-7 ATS versus excellent teams - shooting >=45% with a defense of 42% or less. 0-6 ATS after 3 or more consecutive overs. 9-4 OVER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 8-3 ATS versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of 42% or less. 

Arizona Wildcats: 8-1 ATS in all neutral court games. 12-6 ATS after scoring 85 points or more. 13-4 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 29-22 OVER after 3 or more consecutive wins. 13-7 OVER when playing their 2nd game in 3 days.

Purdue Boilermakers:  None. 

Arizona Wildcats:  B. James (G) Out - Redshirt.

“I was standing under the rim, I was like ‘Please get in there, please get in there,’ and it did. Trey tipped it perfectly and I was like ‘Thank God, thank God that went in.’” - Braden Smith after their win against Texas in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. 

“I thought our guys were great offensively today. The great thing about basketball and the tough thing about basketball is, unfortunately, that doesn’t automatically translate to Saturday. We’ve got to find a way to kind of recreate that rhythm we had tonight.” - Tommy Lloyd after his team’s win against Arkansas in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. 

O. Cluff 

C. Cox 

T. Kaufman-Renn 

F. Loyer 

B. Smith

J. Bradley 

B. Burries 

I. Kharchenkov 

M. Krivas 

K. Peat

PPG: Braden Smith (14.3)

APG: Braden Smith (8.9)

Reb/G: Trey Kaufman-Renn (8.5)

PPG: Brayden Burries (16.2)

APG: Jaden Bradley (4.4)

Reb/G: Tobe Awaka (9.2)

Coaches:

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter (21st season)

Arizona Wildcats: Tommy Lloyd (5th season)