Saint Peter’s vs Purdue Game Preview Betting Analysis

Saint Peter’s vs Purdue betting is one of the fan-favorites heading into another weekend of March Madness basketball.

#15 Saint Peter’s is the highest seed remaining in the tournament and has already beaten #2 Kentucky and #7 Murray State in its improbable run to the Sweet 16. March Madness odds were stacked against them even prior to the tournament beginning, so for them to have made it this far is quite the achievement.

#3 Purdue stands in the way of Saint Peter’s and underdog betting picks, with one of the nation’s most electric guards, Jaden Ivey, heading their effort. The two squads will tip-off Friday at 7:09 p.m. ET.

Saint Peter’s Meets Purdue

Saint Peter’s is led by guard Daryl Banks III, who exploded for 27 points in an opening-round victory over Kentucky. Although he failed to replicate his performance in the next round, a double-double from big man KC Ndefo helped see the Peacocks over the line. Doug Edert has also scored 13 and 20 points off the bench in the team’s two tournament games, which has helped pace the team’s scoring even without its starting five on the court. 

Purdue is much more athletic than its opponent and has a matchup nightmare in 7-foot-4 Zach Edey in the middle. The sophomore big man has posted lines of 16 points and nine rebounds and 11 points and 10 rebounds in the Boilermakers’ first two games; he is also an offensive rebounding specialist, though he is not as dominant on the defensive glass as you would expect for a man of his size.

Jaden Ivey will be the best player on the court in this game; he has improved his regular-season scoring average to 20 in March Madness, and he is shooting 50% from the field and from beyond the arc. He is a nifty-shot specialist that can get open in a hurry and take over down the stretch.

There will be many factors at play, but Saint Peter’s vs Purdue betting could come down largely to how well Ivey can play against the underdog Peacocks who have nothing to lose.

The Betting Numbers

Thank goodness this is not about NCAAF odds because this thing would be pretty lopsided. 

No, the Sweet 16 matchup between Saint Peter’s and Purdue presents an interesting matchup and a true “what if?” regarding the Peacock’s miraculous journey through the NCAA Tournament bracket.

Saint Peter’s was an astonishing 22-9 against the spread, including a 10-3 ATS record as the underdog— which they are against Purdue— this season. They have also covered the spread in both of their tournament appearances thus far.

Purdue, meanwhile, was 15-20-1 ATS and 14-20-1 ATS as the favorite. If there is any saving grace for the Boilermakers in Saint Peter’s v Purdue betting, it is that they went 5-4 ATS at neutral locations. The Peacocks, however, were a perfect 5-0.

Purdue is a 12.5-point favorite on most point spreads; the Peacocks miracle run should come to an end against the heavy favorites who, despite past trends, are poised to cover the spread as well.