Tennessee vs Purdue Elite Eight Prediction & Best Bets: Who Will Suffer Devastation in Detroit?

Four months ago, Tennessee and Purdue met in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational, playing out a close contest that wasn't decided until the final minute. Will a similar outcome play out tomorrow as the Volunteers and Boilermakers meet in Detroit with a Final Four place on the line (2:20 pm ET, CBS)?

As with two of the other three regional finals (Clemson-Alabama in the West Region and NC State-Duke in the South Region), the Midwest Region title matchup between Tennessee (27-8) and Purdue (32-4) sees familiar foes face off for a trip to Glendale, Arizona.

The second-seeded Vols are looking to reach the Final Four for the first time ever, in just their second Elite Eight appearance. In their previous appearance in 2010, they lost to Michigan State by one point in the Midwest Region final in St. Louis.

Purdue, meanwhile, is looking to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1980. This will be their fourth Elite Eight appearance since, following appearances in 1994 (lost to Duke), 2000 (lost to Wisconsin), and 2019 (lost to Virginia).

Whose fanbase will experience unfamiliar joy? And whose fanbase will experience unmeasurable heartbreak? Read on for a Tennessee-Purdue prediction, as well as the best bets for this mammoth matchup in the Motor City.

Tennessee vs Purdue Odds

Odds are via BetOnline, a longtime fixture in the sports betting industry. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments.

Spread

• Tennessee +3.5 (-116)
• Purdue -3.5 (-104)

Over/Under

• Over 147.5 (-105)
• Under 147.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• Tennessee +144
• Purdue -164

Looking for more college basketball picks? Our NCAA basketball picks page features moneyline, spread, and total (over/under) picks for Tennessee vs Purdue and NC State vs Duke.

Tennessee vs Purdue Betting Analysis and Prediction

When the Vols and Boilermakers met in Maui, Purdue covered as a three-point favorite in a 71-67 win.

Purdue hasn't been that small of a favorite often this season, but when they have, they have produced great results.

In five games when favored by five or fewer points, the Boilermakers are 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS. The lone non-cover was a push as a three-point favorite against Marquette in the championship game in Maui, a 78-75 win for Purdue.

Tennessee hasn't been an underdog often this season, but they have come up with a couple of big wins. They are just 2-3 SU and ATS as an underdog, but that includes wins at Kentucky and Alabama. In addition to their loss to Purdue, the Vols also lost to Kansas and North Carolina as an underdog.

In Maui, Tennessee led by as many as nine in the first half and by one at halftime. But Purdue took the lead inside the first 20 seconds of the second half and never trailed again.

Tennessee did tie the game twice late on Jordan Gainey threes, one that made it 61-all with 4:18 left and another that made it 64-all with 3:10 left. However, Purdue didn't allow another point until they were up six late and nearly had the game in the bag.

Tennessee vs Purdue Players to Watch

Tennessee

• Dalton Knecht: 21.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 39.2% 3PT
• Zakai Ziegler: 11.9 PPG, 6.0 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG
• Jonas Aidoo: 11.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.9 BPG

Purdue

• Zach Edey: 24.6 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 2.1 APG, 62.4% FG
• Braden Smith: 12.3 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 44.2% 3PT
• Lance Jones: 12.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.1 APG

Another close game is likely in Detroit, but will we see a different result?

Tennessee has played like a championship-caliber team for most of the season, and that includes Friday's 83-75 win over Creighton.

The Bluejays led at halftime, fell into a 16-point hole after a 21-4 by Tennessee in the first six minutes of the second half, then rallied to make it a one-possession game with plenty of time left. Yet the Vols hit their shots, got key stops, and closed out the win, showcasing a mettle that many Rick Barnes teams have not in similar moments.

However, Purdue appears to be dead set on fully erasing the demons of last year and beyond. In past years, the likes of Utah State and Gonzaga could have seriously troubled them. This year, they throttled the Aggies by 39 and didn't let Gonzaga get a sniff in the final minutes after pulling away midway through the second half.

It has been a good tournament for both teams, but only one can claim a ticket to Glendale. Tennessee will give it their all, but I'm looking for Purdue to finally return to the Final Four for the first time since 1980.

Prediction: Purdue to win and cover

Tennessee vs Purdue Best Bets

Purdue -3.5 & Tennessee/Purdue First Half Over 69.5 (-105 at BetOnline & Bovada)

The scoring may well slow down in the second half in what should be a close game, but I think we'll see some solid shot-making in the first half. That will help the first half over get across the finish line.

More March Madness Betting Information

Where Can You Bet on March Madness This Year?

Each year, millions upon of millions of March Madness bets are placed at the top online sports betting sites.

Most March Madness betting takes place around and at tournament time, which is from mid-March to early April. But throughout the year, you can bet on who you think will win the college basketball national championship.

Along with men's college basketball odds, most good sportsbooks now carry women's college basketball national championship odds, which are drawing a lot of attention this season with the likes of South Carolina, Iowa, and LSU vying to cut down the nets in Cleveland, Ohio on April 7.

Numerous sportsbooks are good for March Madness betting, but in addition to BetOnline, here are some of the books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (Review)
• BetUS (Review)
• Bovada (Review)
• MyBookie (Review)

If you are unfamiliar with any of the above sites, check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about them. Speaking of offers, keep an eye on the latest sportsbook offers from these books and others as the countdown to the opening tip of March Madness continues. That way, you will not miss out on any special sports betting promos and bonuses to pad your bankroll for March Madness betting.

Other March Madness Content at Betting News

If you like this Tennessee vs Purdue betting breakdown and would like to check out our other March Madness content, our March Madness guide is where you can find it all in one tidy place. But here's a rundown of some of what we have put together to help you with your NCAA Tournament betting this year.

We're also covering the 2024 NIT, so check out that content as well.

• Men's March Madness Futures Odds
• Women's March Madness Futures Odds
• 2024 Men's Final Four Odds
• Six Men's March Madness Sleepers for 2024
• Best March Madness Betting Tips & Strategies
• Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
• Best March Madness Betting Sites for This Year
• This Year's Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
• Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge!)

Interested in Learning More About Betting on March Madness & NCAA Basketball?

If you are interested in learning more about betting on men's or women's NCAA basketball, check out our college basketball betting guide. It covers the basics of wagering on March Madness, the Mountain West, the MAAC, McNeese State, and beyond.

• College Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on NCAA Basketball in 2024

Also, follow Betting News on X/Twitter, Twitch, and TikTok to get more March Madness and NCAA basketball insight from myself and the rest of our team. We're cooking up a lot of great NCAA Tournament content for both the men's and women's tournaments, so hit those links so you don't miss out on any of it.

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