Through a March Madness run even the top seeds get that one scary matchup. Today, I expect that to be the case for the Arizona Wildcats, who were flawless in their win over Arkansas. Purdue has the size, and four year program players to give the Wildcats their first true test. In the back end of tournament action forty eight hours later, grab Purdue plus the points.
Purdue faces Arizona in the Elite 8 in San Jose, and Arizona is up to a 6.5-point favorite in this game. Arizona has won 12 games in a row since it lost its only two games of the year in back-to-back fashion to Texas Tech and Kansas. Arizona went 35-2, covering 22 games. It's a formidable opponent for Purdue to tackle, but I think they can. Purdue has had three meetings with Arizona since 2007 and won all three, the last time in 2023. Purdue has won seven straight games, including beating Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. Purdue has 19.7 assists per game and is No. 1 in the nation in assist-to-turnover margin. Purdue wins outright.
Both teams are elite offensively, but Arizona is much better on the defensive end. Purdue was fortunate to get past Texas, while the Wildcats are clicking on all cylinders. I would play this up to 6.5.
As SportsLine's resident Arizona alum and diehard, I have to make a pick on this Elite Eight matchup, don't I? Purdue is really good - they're efficient on offense and can stifle teams defensively. But my Wildcats are on a mission to make the Final Four (and beyond) for the first time since 2001. I expect both teams to slow their offenses down a bit from what we saw in the last round and the only reason I think this total gets close-ish to the number is because of free throws at the end. Not playing this for a full unit just in case and if you can buy the number up a few points, don't hesitate. Arizona 77, Purdue 71.
