Saint Peter's vs. Purdue Odds
| St. Peter's Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -115 | 133.5 -110o / -110u | +600 |
| Purdue Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -105 | 133.5 -110o / -110u | -900 |
As the third 15-seed to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Saint Peter’s has inked its name in college basketball history.
The Peacocks won the hearts of college basketball fans while simultaneously destroying brackets in their upset victory over Kentucky as 18-point underdogs. The program followed that victory up with an impressive wire-to-wire win over a top mid-major program in Murray State.
The Peacocks now look to play the role of giant slayer one more time on their quest be the first 15-seed to make it to the Elite Eight. To do that, they will need to beat a Purdue program that has literal giants on its roster.
The Boilermakers utilized their height advantage to defeat Yale and Texas in their first two games. They leaned on 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey to get the Longhorns in early foul trouble. Matt Painter’s group proceeded to shoot 46 free throws in its 81-71 victory over Texas.
Saint Peter’s has taken on the roll as Cinderella in the Big Dance and will need a monumental defensive effort for it to keep dancing.
Saint Peter's Peacocks
Shaheen Holloway’s program leaned on its dominant defense — which ranks among the top-30 in efficiency rating — to reach the NCAA Tournament. The group ranks fifth in the nation in defensive field goal percentage (44%) while forcing turnovers at a top-50 rate.
But since arriving to the Big Dance, it’s been the offense that has carried the Peacocks to two upset victories. They shot over 50% from the field and hit 9-of-17 from 3-point territory against Kentucky’s defense.
Doug Edert has been making waves across the internet for his phenomenal mustache, but more importantly, his clutch shooting.
DOUG EDERT PUTS SAINT PETER'S BACK ON TOP 🤯#MarchMadness | @PeacocksMBBpic.twitter.com/BmCSdiOJY3
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2022
The Peacocks have one of the premier interior defenders in KC Ndefo. The 6-foot-7 forward has swatted an average of three shots per game, including an 11-block effort against Quinnipiac.
Though Holloway’s group doesn’t have the height to compete with the Purdue bigs, it certainly has the bodies. The Peacocks rank 348th in the country in foul rate, which has led them to a top-20 spot in bench minutes.
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue has opened as the largest favorite in the round of the Sweet 16, but matching up against a Cinderella in the Big Dance is never easy.
The Boilermakers have the second-highest offensive efficiency ranking in the country. They hit 39% from behind the arc (fourth) and 56% inside the perimeter (13th).
Purdue's roster has NBA talent highlighted by Jaden Ivey. The sophomore guard is averaging 18 points and five rebounds per game. Ivey can score from anywhere on the court, hitting 36% from deep and excelling at getting to the charity stripe.
The dynamic duo of 7-foot-4 Edey and 6-foot-10 Trevion Williams lives at the free throw line. Purdue works through the duo in the post at the second-highest rate and gets to the free throw line at a top-15 clip in the nation.
Purdue shot 46 free throws against Texas, and we should expect a similar result in this matchup, as Saint Peter’s defense ranks 348th in foul rate.
The Purdue defense doesn’t play to the same caliber as its offense. The Boilermakers rank outside the top-135 in both 2-point and 3-point defense. They allowed Texas to hit over 10 3-pointers in their last matchup.
St. Peter's vs. Purdue Betting Pick
Saint Peter’s wasn’t intimidated by one of the top favorites to win the NCAA Tournament in Kentucky. The same goes for Murray State’s 21-game win streak. The Peacocks legitimately played great in both of those matchups and have the depth to always keep fresh legs on the floor.
Now, they have a new challenge in Purdue, which boasts a 7-foot-4 center and a potential top-five NBA draft pick at guard.
I anticipate Holloway to utilize a similar approach to Purdue as he did Kentucky. They will focus on locking down the perimeter shooters and allow Purdue’s big men to get to the free throw line.
Saint Peter’s offense will have opportunities to expose Purdue’s lackluster defense. It will need Daryl Banks III and Edert to continue their hot outside shooting.
Saint Peter's is set to win the turnover battle, which has been a common theme for upsets in the NCAA Tournament. The Peacocks have been one of the most profitable teams for bettors this season, boasting a 22-9 record against the spread, including nine in a row.
The last two 15-seeds that made it to the Sweet 16 lost outright, but covered the spread.
Though Saint Peter's magical tournament run may come to an end, I anticipate it keeping its nine-game win streak against the spread alive.
