NCAAB: #5 Gonzaga vs #1 Purdue Odds, and Picks (Mar 29)

• Gonzaga stormed past Kansas in the 2nd round, winning by 20 points once again.
• Purdue embarrased Utah State, stomping them 106-67, and advancing to the Sweet 16.
• These two teams last faced off on November 20, 2023, in a game that Purdue won 73-63.

The NCAA Tournament has reached the Sweet 16! Let’s take a look at this game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Purdue Boilermakers. Gonzaga has looked a lot more dangerous than many thought a month ago, but faces an uphill battle in this one.

How to Watch

• TBS

Preview

Gonzaga dominated Kansas in their second-round game, taking full advantage of the Jayhawks lack of leading-scorer Kevin McCullar Jr. The Bulldogs have been impressive on both sides of the ball in this tournament. They’ve won their two games so far by an average score of 88-67. F Graham Ike, who averaged 15 ppg and 10 rpg against McNeese and Kansas, will be tasked with matching Zach Edey’s physicality down low. Gonzaga needs their offense to be firing on all cylinders against Purdue.

Purdue continued to look like one of the very best teams in the country in their 39-point thumping of Utah State. After breaking their first-round curse, the Boilermakers now have their sights set on the Elite 8. Before they get ahead of themselves, they have to focus on taking down a red-hot Gonzaga team that always makes noise in the tournament. 7’4 C Zach Edey will of course be the focal point for Purdue, but they also need their guard play to be at its best to keep up with Gonzaga on offense.

Prediction

This matchup is a really tough one to predict. Both teams have looked dominant so far, but also haven’t faced a top team at their full strength yet. I’m tempted to take Gonzaga as the program with more recent success in March, but I’m also unsure about their ability to size up with Zach Edey down low. If Ike can use his physicality to get Edey fouling, the Bulldogs might be able to pull it off. Assuming Edey doesn’t foul out, however, and I like Purdue to come away with a very close victory in this game.

NCAAB Picks:

• Purdue 81, Gonzaga 78 (ZAGA +5.5)