The Cinderella Story continues Friday night when the fifteen-seeded Saint Peter’s Peacocks (21-11) takes on the three-seeded Purdue Boilermakers (29-7) in an East Regional matchup with a trip to the Elite 8 on the line.
Saint Peter’s stunned Kentucky in overtime (85-79) in the opening round before defeating Murray State (70-60) to become the third 15-seed to advance to the Sweet 16. Purdue knocked off Yake (78-56) and Texas (81-71) to punch its ticket to the second week of play.
Friday’s tip-off is at 7:10 p.m. EST inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. Purdue is a 12.5-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 135.0 points.
What to Know – #15 Saint Peter’s Peacocks
Saint Peter’s has a chance to make history in becoming the first 15-seed to move on to the Elite 8. The Peacocks were the headline of the first week of play, giving casual college basketball fans a new to cheer for the remainder of the tournament.
The Peacocks average 67.3 points per game on offense while hitting 43.3% of their shots from the field and 35.5% from the 3-point line. Saint Peter’s defense limits opponents to 62.3 points per game, 38.4% shooting from the floor, and 29.4% from the arc.
KC Ndefo poured in 17 points and grabbed ten rebounds, leading Saint Peter’s to a Second Round victory over Murray State in the Round of 32. Doug Edert came off the bench to add 13 points for the Peacocks. Saint Peter’s stingy defense forced 12 turnovers and held the Racers to 34.6% shooting from the field.
The Peacocks’ are 23-9 against the spread with a 5-0 mark ATS on a neutral court. Saint Peter’s is 9-0 ATS over its previous nine contests.
What to Know – #3 Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers look like the team to beat in the East region after double-digit victories in their first two games. Purdue can advance to the Elite 8 for the second time in three trips to the Big Dance, getting there in 2019.
On offense, the Boilermakers score 79.8 points per game, shooting 49.2% from the field 38.8% from deep. Purdue’s defense surrenders 68.5 points per game, limiting opponents to 42.5% shooting from the floor and 33.3% from three.
Trevion Williams came off the bench to score a team-high 22 points, hitting 10-of-13 shots from the floor. Jaden Ivey added 18, and big man Zach Eddy chipped in 11 points and ten rebounds. Purdue nailed 48.8% of their shots and outrebounded the Longhorns, 41-28.
Purdue is 15-20-1 ATS and 5-4 ATS playing at a neutral location. The Boilermakers are 2-7 ATS in their recent nine games.
The Pick is In
The Cinderella Story for the Peacocks comes abruptly to an end on Friday night. Purdue possesses nightmare matchups for Saint Peter’s, led by the duo of Ivey and Eddy. The Boilermakers get up early and put this one away with ease.
Betting Pick: Purdue Boilermakers -12.5
