The Houston Cougars and the Arkansas Razorbacks are set to face one another in the Sweet 16 round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 28.
Tip-off is set for 9:09 p.m. central on TBS/truTV.
Houston (32-4), a No. 1 seed, is coming off an 81-76 win over Gonzaga on Saturday. Purdue (24-11), a No. 4 seed, is coming off a 76-62 win over McNeese State on Saturday.
Houston has made the Sweet 16 in each of the last six NCAA Tournaments but has advanced to the Elite Eight twice in that span. Meanwhile, Purdue has seen its most significant stretch of success in program history under Matt Painter, as the Boilermakers have made six of the last nine Sweet 16s and were the national runner-up in last year’s tournament.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Houston vs. Purdue
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Time: 9:09 p.m. CT
TV Channel: TBS/truTV
Site: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, IN
Houston vs. Purdue Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Houston (-7.5)
Current Line: Houston (-7.5)
Over/Under: 131.5 (Open: 132.5)
Houston vs. Purdue Predictions
If you’re looking for one of the better coaching matchups at this point in the tournament, look no further. Kelvin Sampson and Matt Painter are the best coaches in their respective programs’ history, and their matchup on Friday night should be quite a spectacle.
Houston has been one of the best teams in the country all season long, and after a 4-3 start, the Cougars have ripped off 26 wins in their last 27 games, with two 13-game winning streaks sandwiched around an overtime loss to Texas Tech.
Whether it be L.J. Cryer, Milos Uzan, or Emanuel Sharp, the Coogs are getting fantastic guard play, and it levels out perfectly with senior J’Wan Roberts and sophomore JoJo Tugler working inside.
Houston carries the No. 2 defense and the No. 10 offense in the country into this game, making them a legitimate juggernaut on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers have the offense to match (7th) and are among the best shooting teams in America, but their defense (63rd) could be a major problem in this matchup.
Purdue’s tendency to try and win games in shootout fashion has been a strength for them through the first two rounds, but against a Houston team that closes out better than anyone in the country, points will be much harder to come by. It will be competitive until the final, but Houston eventually stakes their claim to an Elite Eight bid.
Houston 74, Purdue 62
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Houston (79.4% Chance to Win)
