- Matchup: Purdue Boilermakers vs Arizona Wildcats
- Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Venue: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
- Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds: Arizona favored by 6 points
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The Purdue Boilermakers (30-8) are set to visit the SAP Center this Saturday to clash with the Arizona Wildcats (35-2) during the Elite 8 rounds. As the game begins, Purdue finds itself a 6-point underdog, with the total points over/under established at 151.
The Boilermakers recently defeated Texas with a close score of 79-77 in their previous game. Purdue committed 14 fouls compared to Texas’s 18. From beyond the arc, they made 11 of their 25 attempts. Texas managed a free throw shooting percentage of 53.3%, completing 8 of 15 attempts. In total, Texas secured 28 rebounds (11 offensive and 17 defensive) and did not record any blocks. They provided 10 assists and had 2 steals during the matchup. Defensively, Purdue allowed Texas to shoot 51.8%, with the Longhorns hitting 29 out of 56 attempts. The Boilermakers contributed 12 assists, caused 7 turnovers, and recorded 3 steals, while their rebounding effort resulted in 31 total boards, including 11 offensive. At the charity stripe, they converted 15 of 20 free throw attempts for a success rate of 75%. For the game, Purdue finished with a field goal shooting percentage of 48.4% (30 of 62) and made 4 of their 20 attempts from three-point range.
Trey Kaufman-Renn played a crucial role in the recent victory, scoring 20 points on 8 of 10 shooting. He logged 36 minutes on the court and grabbed 8 rebounds, finishing with an impressive shooting percentage of 80.0%, but did not record any assists.
Purdue enters this matchup with an overall record of 30-8 for the season. They lose possession 8.9 times on average per game and commit an average of 14.5 fouls per outing. The Boilermakers are averaging 35.2 rebounds per game and have racked up 750 assists for the season, leading Division 1 in assists. Purdue connects on 38.4% of their three-point attempts (351 of 915) and maintains a 74.9% success rate from the free throw line. They score an average of 82.1 points per game, ranking 50th in college basketball, while shooting 50.3% from the field.
Defensively, the Boilermakers force an average of 10.1 turnovers per game while incurring 16.8 personal fouls. Unfortunately, they rank 354th in Division 1 for assists allowed, having conceded 558 this season. Purdue’s defense allows an opponent shooting percentage of 44.8% (975 of 2,175) and they average 28.4 rebounds per game. They concede 34.1% on three-point attempts and are ranked 77th in college basketball for points allowed per game, with an average of 70.3 points.
In their latest outing, the Arizona Wildcats secured a convincing victory over Arkansas by a score of 109-88. Arizona achieved 24 defensive rebounds alongside 6 offensive boards for a total of 30 rebounds. They turned the ball over 12 times while managing to make 3 steals in the contest. Arkansas committed 25 fouls, leading to 39 free throw attempts for the Wildcats, who converted 30 for a percentage of 76.9%. Arizona shot 62.5% from three-point land, hitting 5 out of 8 attempts. Their overall field goal shooting percentage was an impressive 63.8%, making 37 out of 58 attempts. Defensively, the Wildcats permitted Arkansas to make 31 shots out of 65, resulting in a shooting percentage of 47.7%. They held Arkansas to 21.7% from beyond the arc, with a conversion of 5 out of 23, and finished 21 of 26 from the free throw line, achieving an 80.8% success rate. In terms of rebounding, Arizona allowed Arkansas to collect 26 total boards, including 7 offensive.
Brayden Burries had a standout performance for the Wildcats, scoring 23 points in 34 minutes on the court and dishing out 2 assists. He shot 7 of 11 from the field, resulting in a 63.6% success rate, and grabbed 5 rebounds as well.
The Arizona Wildcats boast a strong record of 35-2 this season. Offensively, they shoot 50.4% from the field, placing them 9th nationally. Arizona has accumulated 3,208 points, averaging 86.7 points per game. They pull down 42.8 rebounds each game, provide 16.7 assists per game (ranking 37th in college), and average 10.8 turnovers per contest. The Wildcats commit an average of 15.8 personal fouls and convert 73.1% of their free throw attempts.
The Arizona defense allows opponents a shooting percentage of 30.9% from three-point range (270 of 874) and 71.7% from the free throw line. They concede an average of 12.2 assists and 31.4 rebounds per game, ranking 79th and 31st in these areas respectively. In points allowed, Arizona ranks 54th in college basketball, giving up an average of 68.9 points per game. They force opponents into 11.6 turnovers per game and permit teams to shoot 39.2% from the field, ranking 9th in Division 1.
Who will prevail in this exciting NCAA matchup?
Prediction: Take Arizona (-6)
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