Houston is 32-4 and has won 15 consecutive games since Feb. 1, including victories over NCAA Tournament qualifiers Arizona (twice), Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas and BYU in Big 12 play. The Boilermakers have made the Sweet 16 the past two seasons.

Purdue's Braden Smith has made history all season but might've saved his best for last – this Sweet 16 loss to Houston. And "last" could be literal.

Sweet 16 action wraps up tonight with a showdown between the Cougars and the Boilermakers — here’s the best way to watch the game without cable

A closer look at the Sweet 16 matchup between Houston and Purdue, with an Elite Eight berth on the line Friday.

The Houston Cougars are seeded first in the Midwest Regional and have won 15 consecutive games. Purdue is seeded fourth. Game picks, predictions.

The Houston Cougars and Purdue Boilermakers battle in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 28.

The Cougars lost in last year’s Sweet 16, but All-American point guard Jamal Shead suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire second half in the loss to Duke. In 2021 and 2022, Houston was eliminated by teams that had a defense ranked in the top 25.

Purdue has looked great through the opening rounds of March Madness but now faces long odds of beating Houston in the Sweet 16.

The other two will be determined Sunday in a pair of Elite Eight matchups The action will start from the Midwest Region in Indianapolis. Top seed Houston is coming off a dramatic win against Purdue with the benefit of a last-second inbounds play.