As the NCAA Tournament gets underway on Thursday, one Round of 64 matchup to keep an eye on will be No. 12 seed Arkansas-Little Rock vs. No. 5 Purdue. The Trojans are making just their second appearance in March Madness since 1990, with the last one being played in 2011. Purdue is on a hot streak at the betting window heading into the contest, as the Boilermakers have covered the spread in five straight games.
- Arkansas-Little Rock is 4-1 ATS in its last five games as an underdog of eight or less.
- Arkansas-Little Rock is 8-1 SU in its last nine games.
- The total has gone OVER in five of Purdue's last seven games.
Purdue, who opened as 8-point favorites, may not be appealing to bettors due to UALR’s ability to cash as underdogs. The Trojans are a sizzling 6-1 ATS in their last seven when labeled as pups.
The Boilermakers are fantastic straight up coming off a loss, however. Purdue is a perfect 8-0 SU in its last eight after falling in their previous matchup. Purdue lost to Michigan State in Sunday’s Big Ten tournament title game.
The Sportsbook of this game will go on to face off against either No. 4 Iowa State or No. 13 Iona.
Click here for a history of the No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchup.
Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans vs Purdue Boilermakers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The 26-8 and 18-11-1 ATS Purdue Boilermakers will face the 29-4 Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans, who own a 19-10 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Purdue Boilermakers are 15-15 on the OVER/UNDER so far this season while the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans are 10-19.
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 42-rated Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans taking on the No. 58-rated Purdue Boilermakers in this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Purdue has the nation's No. 53-rated offensive output, at 77.74 PPG. The visiting Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans defense ranks No. 2 allowing on average 59.64 PPG. The Boilermakers FG% has averaged 47.17% so far, more than the Purdue Trojans marksmen have achieved on the year, 45.76% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Arkansas-Little Rock cruised to victory on Sunday, running Louisiana-Monroe out of the gym and running up a 70-50 score at Lakefront Arena.
The Boilermakers endured a 66-62 loss at the hands of the Spartans on Sunday, despite a 19-point effort from Vince Edwards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
- Arkansas-Little Rock is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
- Arkansas-Little Rock is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Arkansas-Little Rock's last 13 games
- Purdue is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Purdue is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Purdue's last 7 games
