The Queens (NC) Royals will play against the Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This first-round game in the West Region will take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 7:35 PM ET and will be broadcast on truT.
The Royals come into this game with a regular season record of 21-13 and a conference record of 16-5 in the Atlantic Sun. In their recent games, they won against Central Arkansas, Austin Peay, and West Georgia. Their postseason last year saw them beat Northern Arizona but lose to Cleveland State.
Purdue, ranked #8 in the AP poll, has a regular season record of 27-8 and a conference record of 17-7 in the Big Ten. They have recent wins against Michigan, UCLA, and Nebraska. Last postseason, they made it to the Sweet 16 before losing to Houston.
Purdue Preview
- Purdue Boilermakers are ranked #8 in the AP rankings.
- They play in the Big Ten Conference.
- In the 2025 postseason, Purdue reached the Sweet 16.
- They won against High Point and McNeese State but lost to Houston.
Purdue had a strong 2026 regular season with an overall record of 27-8.
In conference play, they went 17-7.
They recently won games against Michigan, UCLA, and Nebraska.
In the game against Michigan, Purdue scored 80 points.
Braden Smith had 14 points and 11 assists.
Oscar Cluff scored 21 points, and Trey Kaufman-Renn added 20 points.
Purdue averages 81.7 points per game this season.
They have a high field goal percentage of 49.9%.
On defense, they average 5.5 steals and 2.8 blocks per game.
Queens (NC) Preview
The Queens (NC) Royals are part of the Atlantic Sun Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 21-13. Their conference record stood at 16-5. They played well in the postseason, winning against Northern Arizona with a score of 85-78. However, they lost to Cleveland State, 73-88.
In recent games, the Royals secured victories against Central Arkansas, Austin Peay, and West Georgia. Against Central Arkansas, they won 98-93. Chris Ashby scored 34 points in that game. In the game against Austin Peay, they won 90-83. Jordan Watford contributed 21 points. Their win against West Georgia was 71-63, with Nasir Mann scoring 17 points.
For the 2026 regular season, the Royals averaged 84.9 points per game, ranking 23rd. They had a field goal percentage of 48.2, placing them 37th. They made 10.2 three-pointers per game, ranking 42nd. Their free throw percentage was 73.9. On defense, they averaged 5.9 steals and 2.9 blocks per game.
Key players for the Royals include Nasir Mann, who averaged 13.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Chris Ashby averaged 11.7 points, while Yoav Berman added 12.6 points per game. Jordan Watford contributed with 11.9 points per game. Avantae Parker had an impressive field goal percentage of 68.5. These players have been crucial in the Royals’ performance this season.
Statistical Breakdown for Purdue vs Queens (NC)
The game between Purdue and Queens (NC) will be shaped by key stats. Purdue’s strong field goal percentage of 49.9% and their ability to score 81.7 points per game are significant. Queens (NC) scores 84.9 points per game and ranks 23rd in this category. Both teams have high scoring potential, but Purdue’s defense might play a role with their 5.5 steals per game. Queens (NC) relies on their three-point shooting, making 10.2 per game. The battle between Purdue’s efficient offense and Queens (NC)’s scoring will be interesting.
- Purdue Points Per Game: 81.7
- Purdue Field Goal Percentage: 49.9%
- Purdue Steals Per Game: 5.5
- Queens (NC) Points Per Game: 84.9
- Queens (NC) 3PT Made Per Game: 10.2
- Queens (NC) Field Goal Percentage: 48.2%
Betting Insights
As the Queens (NC) Royals prepare to play against the Purdue Boilermakers, bettors have several trends to consider. The Royals have shown strength against the spread recently, while the Boilermakers have struggled in that area. Both teams have different patterns in their Over/Under results, which could influence betting decisions. Here are the top five betting trends to keep in mind:
- Queens (NC) Royals are 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Purdue Boilermakers are 0-3 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Queens (NC) Royals are 10-4 ATS as favorites.
- Purdue Boilermakers have a 4-1 Over/Under record in their last 5 games.
- Queens (NC) Royals have a 6-4 Over/Under record in their last 10 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Purdue vs Queens (NC)
Purdue Boilermakers have a strong record and are ranked #8. They have shown their scoring ability with an average of 81.7 points per game. Their recent wins against teams like Michigan and UCLA highlight their form. Purdue’s defense, with 5.5 steals per game, could be a factor in slowing down the Royals. Queens (NC) Royals have been effective in scoring, averaging 84.9 points per game. They rely on their three-point shooting, making 10.2 per game. Key players like Chris Ashby and Nasir Mann have been consistent. However, facing a top-10 team like Purdue will be challenging. Purdue is favored with a -25.5 spread, indicating expectations of a dominant performance. Queens (NC) has been strong against the spread recently, but Purdue’s overall strength might be too much. The game could see high scoring, but Purdue’s defense might limit the Royals’ chances.
- Our Free Prediction: Purdue -25.5
