Stephen Nover's NCAA Tournament Dominator
(NCAAB) Texas vs. Purdue,
Point Spread: 3.50 | -110.00 Texas (Away)
Result: Loss
Texas beat Kansas and Tennessee this season. The Longhorns certainly are capable of defeating Purdue. 

The key is the Longhorns' ninth-ranked defense and the tremendous coaching of Chris Beard. 

Purdue coach Matt Painter has gone against Beard twice in the NCAA Tournament and lost both times. Beard bested Painter when he was at Arkansas Little Rock and at Texas Tech in a Sweet 16 victory against Purdue in 2018. Beard led Texas Tech to the NCAA Tourney title game 2019 and Elite Eight in 2018. 

I trust Beard to neutralize 7-foot-4 Zach Edey inside and fluster Jaden Ivey forcing him to do too much. On the offensive end, Beard's motion offense can exploit Purdue's defensive liabilities, freeing up Timmy Allen and others to get open looks. The Boilermakers rank 207th in 3-point defense. 

Purdue is just 1-8-2 ATS in its last 11 games and 7-18-2 ATS the past 27 times when favored. Purdue had failed to cover in its last six games before burying an overmatched Yale squad in its first-round NCAA Tourney game.