NCAA Basketball
2026-03-26 - Texas Longhorns at Purdue Boilermakers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NCAA Basketball Tournament Sweet 16
Thursday 26th March 2026 - Scheduled 7:10pm
11:10pm (British Time)
Preview
The lowest Seed still playing in the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Tournament begun in the First Four Round, but the Number 11 Seeded Texas Longhorns will be playing with real confidence. They have actually been set as the underdog in each of the three games played in March Madness, but Texas have shown they can ignore the expectations and produce what is needed to win games at this time of the season.
The challenges have been getting tougher- the Longhorns have received more points in each of the last two games played compared with the one before, but that has not prevented outright wins.
Once again the spread is a little wider and the mountain to climb a little higher, but Texas have shown they can produce the level needed to upset one of the Number 2 Seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
It will be a huge challenge against the Purdue Boilermakers who have won six in a row, which includes taking in the Big Ten Tournament title. The two wins in the NCAA Tournament have been impressive and Purdue continue to display one of the best Offensive units in College Basketball, which is covering up any Defensive deficiencies that have been displayed over the course of the season.
You have to credit the Texas Longhorns for the way the Offense has been able to roll this season and they will certainly believe they can test the Boilermakers. They have size and intensity around the boards and earning those second chance opportunities and trying to get to the Free Throw line will be the Longhorns path to putting pressure on the higher Seed and keeping the Cinderella run going past midnight.
However, the real outcome of this Sweet 16 game is likely going to be decided on the other side of the court when the Boilermakers have the ball.
Purdue could be without CJ Cox, who picked up an injury in the Second Round win over Miami, but one that is fortunately not going to rule him out for a long time as Cox feared.
There is still a depth amongst the options for the Boilermakers and it is the Offensive unit that has been amongst the very best in College Basketball. It has been evident during the six game winning run, which includes quality wins over the likes of Nebraska and Michigan who are also playing Sweet 16 Round games over the next couple of days.
Ultimately it is the higher powered Purdue Offensive unit that may end up proving to be the difference between these teams.
The Longhorns have not played as well on the Defensive side of the court and they are going to have to step up considerably if they are to pull the upset.
That feels a long shot with Purdue having a bit more preparation time and the higher Seed may just have too much firepower for the lowest Ranked team left in the Tournament.
Prediction
Lay the points with the Number 2 Seeded Purdue in this Sweet 16 game.
The Pick :
Purdue Boilermakers 84-74 Texas Longhorns
