Texas vs Purdue Prediction 3/26/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Purdue Boilermakers and the Texas Longhorns will meet on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 matchup at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers enter Thursday’s contest with a 29–8 win‑loss record, including a 13–7 mark in conference play and an 8-3 record on the road. The Boilermakers have compiled wins over Oregon, Iowa, USC and the Maryland Terrapins, while losing recent games to UCLA, Illinois and the Indiana Hoosiers.

Earlier this season, in the Purdue Boilermakers 68–64 win over Oregon, Purdue guard Braden Smith accumulated 13 points (5 of 12 shooting from the field), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal illustrating his ability to lead the Boilermakers offense.

The Purdue Boilermakers average 82.2 points (33rd in the nation) on 50.3 percent shooting from the field (7th in country) and 38.8 percent shooting from three-point range per game. Turning our attention to the defensive side of the basketball, the Boilermakers are allowing 70.1 points per contest.

Guard Braden Smith leads the Purdue Boilermakers averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Senior forward Trey Kaufman‑Renn provides the Boilermakers with a strong presence in the paint averaging 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists and 1 steal per contest.

Texas Longhorns Betting Preview

The Texas Longhorns enter Thursday evening’s contest with a 21–14 overall record, including a 9–9 mark in conference play and a 5–6 record on the road. The Longhorns have amassed wins over Texas A&M, LSU, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the Alabama Crimson Tide, while dropping games to Mississippi State, Arkansas, Auburn and the Duke Blue Devils.

In the Texas Longhorns 101–98 overtime loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs earlier this season, Texas sophomore guard Dailyn Swain delivered a standout performance accumulating 34 points (10 of 18 shooting from the field), 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal illustrating his ability to lead the Longhorns backcourt.

The Texas Longhorns average 81.9 points (35th in nation) on 47.7 percent shooting from the field (35th in country) and 34.8 percent from three‑point range per game. Through 35 games played this season, the Longhorns are allowing opponents 76 points per contest.

Sophomore guard Dailyn Swain leads the Texas Longhorns with 17.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals on 54.5 percent shooting from the field per game, while senior guard Jordan Pope contributes 13.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest providing the Longhorns additional backcourt depth. Sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis averages 15.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1 block per game.

Why the Purdue Boilermakers will win

• Elite guard play. Guard Braden Smith leads the Purdue Boilermakers averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

• Quality offense. The Purdue Boilermakers average 82.2 points (33rd in the nation) on 50.3 percent shooting from the field (7th in country) and 38.8 percent shooting from three-point range per game.

• Interior scoring. Kaufman‑Renn gives Purdue a reliable frontcourt presence.

• Defensive advantage. The Purdue Boilermakers are allowing opponents 70.1 points per contest. Conversely, the Longhorns are allowing 76 points per contest.

Why the Texas Longhorns will win

• Offensive firepower. The Texas Longhorns average 83.8 points (26th in nation) on 49 percent shooting from the field per game.

• Guard play.  Guard Braden Smith leads the Purdue Boilermakers averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

• Frontcourt play. Sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis averages 16.1 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Texas Longhorns vs. Purdue Boilermakers Prediction

This matchup features Purdue’s structured, high‑efficiency offense and elite defense against a Texas team that has shown resilience recently (won three-consecutive games).  Texas has the perimeter scoring to be competitive, but Purdue’s half court discipline, and possession control make the Boilermakers the more reliable side to be on in this matchup. I expect the Boilermakers to create separation late in this contest and cover the number (7.5) here. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Purdue Boilermakers to cover the 7.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Purdue -7.5