Purdue is 350th in the nation in defending inside the perimeter while the Panthers are 15th in efficiency in that area. These are two teams that can put up points and struggle on the defensive end. High Point has more depth and big men in the front court to take advantage of the Boilermakers weak interior defense, averaging over 81 points per game this season. Purdue shouldn’t have any issue scoring themselves, scoring 76 points, or more, in three of their last five games while the Panthers defense have struggled against more potent offenses.

I wasn't impressed with what I saw from Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament, and this is a spot where I expect the Boilermakers to get pushed to the brink. High Point hasn't really been tested this season, and Purdue will be by far the most talented team they've faced. That said, the Panthers have won 14 straight games and has a core rotation made up entirely of juniors and seniors. High Point can score, and if it gets hot from beyond the arc this game could turn into Purdue's latest March collapse. Take the points here.

Purdue made the championship game last year so we forgot about their previous February funks and March miseries but the fact is they lost three straight to double-digit seeds in the tournament. Purdue looks like that team again, and the funny thing is that I think they feel that pressure on their back. High Point has won 14 straight games and shot 49.4% from the field and also hit 36.4% from 3-point range. They're a great rebounding team as well. Purdue's going to have trouble here. High Point scores 82 points a game but has stayed under seven of their last eight games. High Point to cover.

Boilers cannot get going away from home. Should have lost to USC with Trojans on short rest in Big 10 tourney. If they get cute and shoot three ball a ton they will lose. Just 6-11 ATS away from home - covered 6 straight mostly vs dregs of Big 10 in Jan/early Feb - and back to old ways since. High Point has a top 25 KenPom offense that can be methodical. HP shoot 50% from field and had top FG% D in Big South and defend the three ball quite well. Boilers have covered just 2 of last 8 games. Seem to be fading. No home court advantage here like in Big 10 tourney. Talent alone won't carry them here.