March Madness Round 1: Grambling vs Purdue Final Score & Analysis
Our Grambling vs Purdue Preview Predicts The Boilermakers Will Cover
Grambling vs Purdue Final Score
Grambling vs Purdue Preview
The Purdue Boilermakers will look to avoid disaster for the third time in a row this season. Purdue lost its last two games in the NCAA Tournament to No. 15 St. Peter’s in 2022 and No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023.
The last time a No. 1 seed lost to a No. 16 seed, the next season, that team won it all. The Virginia Cavaliers were upset by UMBC and stormed back to win the NCAA Championship the following year.
Purdue wants to do the same.
The journey will begin against the Grambling State Tigers, who earned an overtime win over Montana State. Despite being very low in the NCAA basketball rankings, it was the university’s first win in an NCAA Tournament. But it’ll probably be the last for this year, with having to face the Boilermakers next.
Oddsmakers set Purdue at -26.5 (-115), with the total currently at 139.5. However, the Under is juiced to -115 and is more likely to hit.
Check out the Grambling vs Purdue preview for Friday’s 1-versus-16 matchup in the Midwest Region.
Grambling State vs Purdue 
Day/Time:
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Streaming: TBS
Grambling vs Purdue Preview & Trends
The Grambling State Tigers have gone 18-14 against the spread this season. They’ve also hit the Over and Under in 16 games each. But they’re used to playing teams in the SWAC, not the Big Ten.
Meanwhile, Purdue went 17-15-1 and hit the Over in 22 of 33 games this season. The Boilermakers were 7-3 away from home, while Grambling with 7-9.
These two NCAAB teams matched up back in 2014 in an early November game. Purdue won 82-30 nearly ten years ago.
Grambling State Made History!
Many criticize the First Four in the NCAA Tournament. But these NCAAB games allow teams to make something of their trip.
Instead of beginning the NCAA Tournament against Purdue with an inevitable loss coming, the Grambling State Tigers earned a win over Montana State in the First Four and now have a win in March Madness.
These are the stories everyone wants to read about, too.
Grambling State had been trailing by 14 points in the second half. However, the Tigers have multiple kill shots (10-0 runs) and earned a win in overtime over Montana State.
Now they get to stick around a couple more days and enjoy a win many teams won’t get in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Purdue’s Happy With Its Progress
Before the NCAA Tournament, Purdue’s head coach, Matt Painter, talked to the media. He acknowledged that he believed his team finished the season strong, with wins against Michigan State and Wisconsin at home. Purdue also added a big win at Illinois.
When asked about last year’s loss to Fairleigh Dickinson, he believes this team has a different feel. Painter likes how the Boilermakers shoot the ball much better than last year. He also likes this group’s balance, led by Zach Edey, who won’t be returning to the Boilermakers next year.
He’ll pursue professional basketball instead. Purdue has seen it all. They’ve won Big Ten Championships and have gotten far in the NCAA Tournament. But they’ve also lost early in some Tournaments.
Nothing will phase them anymore. Nothing can be worse than losing to Fairleigh Dickinson, anyway. The Boilermakers should be one of the best March Madness picks this year.
Good Luck Scoring, Grambling!
The Purdue Boilermakers have held teams to 31.4% from three and 48.1% from inside the arc. Purdue has also allowed just 24.7% of offensive rebounds and rarely fouls.
On the other hand, Grambling might be able to limit turnovers against Purdue despite its 20.4% turnover rate this NCAAB season. But the Tigers won’t have success around the rim.
Grambling State has shot 47.2% from inside the arc and scored more than 53% of its points from two-point range. Going up against Zach Edey and Purdue’s defense inside, it will be a challenge for the Tigers to find any success.
Meanwhile, Purdue has shot 40.8% from deep and 53.2% from inside the arc. The Boilermakers have also gained 37.4% of offensive rebounds, which will continue to play out, knowing Grambling has allowed 32.5% of offensive rebounds.
The Tigers don’t defend the three very well and have still allowed 48.6% from inside the arc on the defensive end. Purdue is also more likely to get to the foul line more. Edey and the Boilermakers seem to always get calls that go their way.
This is why Purdue is currently a massive favorite. The Boilermakers haven’t blown out competition in the Big Ten recently. But after what happened last year, the foot will surely be on the gas throughout the entire game against Grambling.
Purdue is not allowing another major collapse to a 16-seed this time around. So when you check the NCAAB scores on Friday, you’ll likely see a blowout win from Purdue. After reviewing the Grambling vs Purdue preview, we’ll take Purdue against the spread at -26.5 (-115).
For NCAAB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
