Texas Longhorns vs Purdue Boilermakers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/26/2026

Game Time: 7:10 pm ET, Thursday, March 26, 2026

Venue:  SAP Center, San Jose, CA 

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Texas +6.5, Purdue -6.5; Over/Under:  148.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Texas +6.5, Purdue -6.5; Over/Under:  148.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Texas +6.5, Purdue -6.5; Over/Under:  148.5 points

Texas Longhorns:  21-14 (9-9) (10th place, SEC)

Purdue Boilermakers:  29-8 (13-7) (7th place, Big Ten)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Matt Fargo is on a HOT STREAK in college basketball on a 16-7 CBB RUN for +$8,320 PROFIT1 Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Texas Longhorns:  3-2  last 5

Purdue Boilermakers:  5-0  last 5

Texas is entering this game with a 21-14 record overall, a 9-9 record in conference games, and they are 5-3 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their last game. Matas Vokietaitis and Jordan Pope each led the team in points in that game with 17 while Nic Codie was next on the team with 12. Dailyn Swain led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Matas Vokietaitis led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 51.7% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 76.1 PPG against them. Texas has an ATS record of 19-15 this season and their O/U record is 19-15.

Purdue is entering this game with a 29-8 record overall, a 13-7 conference record, and they are 9-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Miami Hurricanes in their last game. Fletcher Loyer led the team in points in that game with 24 while Trey Kaufman-Renn was next on the team with 19. Braden Smith led the team in assists with 8 in that game while Trey Kaufman-Renn led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 53.2% from the field, 57.1% from 3-point range, and 95.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.1 PPG against them. Purdue has an ATS record of 17-20 this season and their O/U record is 20-17.

The current betting odds have Purdue listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Purdue has looked good in their games this season with their 29-8 record overall and their 13-7 conference record which had them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have looked great in their neutral site games though with their 9-0 record in those. Meanwhile, Texas has looked good in their games this season with their 21-14 record overall, but their 9-9 conference record had them right in the middle of the SEC. They have been a good team in their neutral site games, going 5-3, but 3 of those wins have come in this tournament. Texas started the tournament in Dayton in the First Four with a win over NC State and now they have wins over BYU and Gonzaga in the first 2 rounds. These aren't bad teams that they have been beating, but they definitely aren't world beaters either. They have had some overrated opponents so far, but that is going to catch up to them in the Sweet 16 with Purdue having both the talent and the experience to make a run here. Purdue has been getting hot at the right time, winning the Big Ten Tournament and winning both games in this tournament so far by double digits too. They are off a 10 point win over Miami and they are starting to shape up like the team that was ranked number 1 overall in the preseason. Texas has been fighting hard in their last 2 games with tough wins, but this is the end of the road for them against a more talented Purdue team that won't let them back into the game if they fall behind again. The best way to place a bet here is on Purdue to cover the spread in this game. 

Texas Purdue Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 26, 2026 (7:10 pm ET start time) is Purdue 78 Texas 67.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Texas Longhorns Purdue Boilermakers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Texas Longhorns: 1-5 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 5-10 ATS off an upset win as an underdog. 3-6 ATS versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 18 free throws/game or less. 27-17 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 11-3 OVER versus teams who average 6 or less steals/game on the season.

Purdue Boilermakers: 6-3 ATS against SEC opponents. 17-8 ATS as a neutral court favorite or pick. 29-19 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 29-19 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 25-15 OVER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game.

Texas Longhorns:  L. Traore (F) Questionable - Undisclosed.

Purdue Boilermakers:  C. Cox (G) Questionable - Knee.

“It’s just a huge difference between being in that round and just entering the tournament. Having the opportunity to play through another week, that’s what makes it special.” - Sean Miller after his team’s win against Gonzaga in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

“These guys — I know coaches talk about it — but they’ve put in so much in all areas to be the best they can be. That’s how you end up getting a lot of victories, because you have really good players that are committed.” - Matt Painter after his team’s win against Miami-FL in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

C. Heide 

T. Mark 

J. Pope 

D. Swain 

M. Vokietaitis

O. Cluff 

C. Cox 

T. Kaufman-Renn 

F. Loyer 

B. Smith

PPG: Dailyn Swain (17.4)

APG: Dailyn Swain (3.5)

Reb/G: Dailyn Swain (7.5)

PPG: Braden Smith (14.3)

APG: Braden Smith (9)

Reb/G: Trey Kaufman-Renn (8.5)

Coaches:

Texas Longhorns: Sean Miller (1st season)

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter (21st season)