AP
Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars passed their first real test of March Madness with flying colors.
The Cougars drew Gonzaga in Round 2 of the NCAA Tournament but defeated the Zags without too much drama. Gonzaga was a No. 8 seed, but KenPom had it ranked as the ninth-best team in the entire country.
With one solid team already in their wake, the Cougars set their sights on Purdue in the Sweet 16.
Houston is an 8.5-point favorite at the time of writing.
BetMGM bonus code POSTBET for March Madness 2025
Regardless of who you like to win tonight’s game, you can get in on the action with BetMGM.
Head over to BetMGM and use the bonus code POSTBET if you want to tail or fade this pick.
Get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win.
Purdue vs. Houston betting preview
While Houston’s draw has been tough for a No. 1 seed, Purdue’s has been the opposite.
The Boilermakers have played No. 13 High Point and No. 12 McNeese State to qualify for the Sweet 16, and now face a massive step up in competition against Houston.
You can only beat the teams put in front of you, but it’s tough to get a feel for Purdue’s form when they’ve faced two also-rans.
Further compounding that issue is the fact that the Boilermakers went 3-6 in their final nine games before the Big Dance.
Is Purdue out of its funk? Or did the Boilermakers just get lucky with their draw?
Purdue vs. Houston pick
This is one of the biggest spreads in the Sweet 16, but it’s hard to argue with the betting market tabbing Houston as a chunky favorite.
The Cougars have won 15 on the spin and just handled a team that ranked inside the top 10 in KenPom’s model.
There are plenty of ways for this game to get out of hand in the Cougars’ favor.
The Pick: Houston -8.5
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Participant must complete the Wagering. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, ON, or PR. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.