Arizona vs Purdue Prediction & Picks - NCAA Basketball

Prediction published on 3/28/26, 5:09 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 4/17/26 at 5:37 AM in NCAA Basketball Picks

The Arizona Wildcats will try to earn a spot in the Final Four for the first time in 25 years when they take on the Purdue Boilermakers at the SAP Center in San Jose tonight. Game time is scheduled for 8:49 p. EST with coverage provided by TBS.

Arizona has been in the national title conversation practically the entire season, which is not surprising since they spent nine weeks as the No. 1 team in the Polls. But they started as more of a fringe contender with +2500 odds while Purdue opened the season as the betting favorite and No. 1 team in the Polls.

The Wildcats, with their up-tempo style of play and an offense that features multiple capable shooters, gave defenses fits all season. They had a two-game stretch (vs. Kansas and Texas Tech) where they were taken out of the game for extended periods. As for Purdue, their slower, more efficient, and methodical style of play served them well most of the season. Although they struggled against a handful of opponents down the stretch, losing three of their last four in the regular season, they won the Big Ten tournament and looked unstoppable in Tournament play.