Purdue basketball opens the 2025 NCAA Tournament against High Point in Midwest Regional action this afternoon at Providence, Rhode Island.
The No. 4 seeded Boilermakers (22-11) have lost six of their last nine games. They rely heavily on Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith, All-Big Ten first-teamer Trey Kaufman-Renn and 3-point shooter Fletcher Loyer, who account for 64.3% of their scoring. Purdue is top 10 in the nation in field-goal shooting (49.0%) and takes care of the ball (16.0 assists vs. 10.4 turnovers per game).
The No. 13 Panthers (29-5) have won 14 straight games on their way to the Big South tournament championship but have played just one March Madness team. High Point relies on depth and balance, using a 10-player rotation. It’s among the nation’s highest-scoring (81.7 points, 17th) and best-shooting (49.3%, No. 5) teams.
Here are game picks and predictions:
Purdue basketball vs. High Point picks, predictions
The Panthers did not play a single high-major opponent all season. The Boilermakers need to show them what one looks like early via Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn doing what they’ve done all year.
Despite two teams trending in different directions, the caliber of opponents is drastically different. Purdue gets in the win column.
The Boilermakers have the talent advantage and the matchup advantage, which means they should be able to hold off the upset. Purdue may not replicate its Final Four run from last year, but it feels like the Boilermakers got a good break facing a team whose defense is its biggest weakness.
I like the over in this one as both offenses should feast in the half court against one another.
The Boilermakers know what it takes to win in March, and this is a veteran team led by guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, buttressed by Trey Kaufman-Renn on the interior.
A quality defense is needed to stay within single digits of the Boilermakers these days, and the Panthers lack that trait.
I wasn’t high on this Purdue squad entering the season and the Boilermakers have done little since to change my mind. The Boilermakers really struggle defensively, ranking 350th in two-point field-goal percentage. That ranking is so bad I had to look twice to make sure it was accurate.
What that means is Purdue gives up way too many easy baskets. This is great news for a High Point offense that ranks 15th in two-point field goal percentage. The Panthers are experienced and one of the deepest teams in the country. If Purdue doesn’t come to play, the Boilermakers’ stay in the tournament will be a short one.
High Point has won 14 straight games and faces a Purdue team that has struggled as of late, with six losses in its last nine games. This could be the first big upset of the tournament.
Get ready for a ton of points, lots of runs, and a High Point team that won’t go away.
Just when it seems like there’s a shot at something amazing, Purdue will go on a quick nine-point run and finally put it away. It’ll have to work, though.
Is Purdue favored vs. High Point? Purdue-High Point betting odds
via BetMGM
Favorite: Purdue by 8.5 points
Over/under: 153.5 total points
Moneyline: Purdue -375, High Point +290
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Purdue an 81.8% chance of winning.
When does Purdue basketball play High Point?
12:40 p.m. ET Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
What channel is the Purdue basketball game? How to stream Purdue basketball
How to stream, listen to Purdue basketball vs. High Point
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball vs. High Point prediction, picks in NCAA Tournament
