Purdue basketball vs Houston prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
INDIANAPOLIS − Purdue basketball will see an unfamiliar foe in the Sweet 16, but one led by a coach who knows about Matt Painter's Boilermakers.
The Midwest Region's top seeded Houston Cougars held off Gonzaga's comeback attempt Saturday night to advance reach Lucas Oil Stadium in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
It's the sixth straight Sweet 16 appearance for Houston, including a run to the 2021 Final Four in Lucas Oil Stadium when the NCAA Tournament was played entirely in Indiana with minimal fans permitted to attend due to COVID protocols.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson went 2-1 against Purdue in his two seasons coaching at Indiana from 2006-08.
The Boilermakers haven't played Houston since January 1998, defeating the Cougars 86-53. Purdue also won a December 1993 meeting in Indianapolis and Houston won the series' first meeting 59-58 in December 1981.
Scouting Purdue basketball Sweet 16 opponent Houston Cougars
Houston is 32-4, winning the Big 12 title and has four players averaging double figures in scoring, not including Joseph Tugler, who had a double-double against Gonzaga in the second round.
LJ Cryer, the team's leading scorer, tied a career high with 30 points against Gonzaga. Emanuel Sharp entered Saturday averaging 12.5 points, Milos Uzan averages 11.6 points and 4.3 assists, while J'Wan Roberts averages 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds.
But what the Cougars are known for is defense.
Entering the second round against Gonzaga, Houston ranked second nationally in opponent field goal percentage (38.1) and first in field goals allowed per game (19.5) and points allowed (57.9).
Houston has won 15 straight games and prior to Saturday, no team had cracked 70 points during that streak.
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: Purdue basketball vs. Houston prediction
It's the NCAA Tournament and anything can happen, especially at this stage.
But this feels like a death trap for Purdue (and probably almost every other Sweet 16 participant).
Houston is relentless on defense and Purdue will need to rely on all its guards - not just Braden Smith - to handle the ball against pressure.
The Cougars have lost four games all season. Three of those were in overtime. The other was by five against Auburn in the second game of the season.
Prediction: Houston 75, Purdue 64
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue vs Houston prediction, March Madness Sweet 16 scouting report
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