Akron Zips vs. Purdue Boilermakers Picks and Predictions, Sunday, November 16th, 2025
The Akron Zips (3-0) and the #2 Purdue Boilermakers (3-0) will tip off in a battle in the Midwest for a non-conference battle in this Akron vs. Purdue prediction. These teams did not meet last season. Akron just played a team from outside of Division I, rolling Penn State Shenango by a score of 109-51. Purdue played a much tougher game, going on the road to defeat #8 Alabama 87-80 and winning outright as 3.5-point favorites. Tipoff is set for 7:30 EST and can be found on the Big Ten Network. Keep reading to see our Akron vs. Purdue prediction, and check out all of our winning NCAAB Betting Picks!
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Akron Steps Their Game Up
The Akron Zips are undefeated coming into this matchup, but will face their biggest challenge of the season as they take on the second-ranked Boilermakers on Sunday. They have Division I wins over James Madison and Princeton to start the season, then their easy win over Penn State Shenango. Akron has made the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons, and plans to make it four out of five this year. So far this season, their leading scorer has been Amani Lyles, a senior who has played all four seasons with the Zips.
Lyles is a 6'9, 240-pound forward who has improved every year he has been on campus. He saw little time through his first two years, then was an important role player last season, while joining the starting lineup this season. Lyles is getting 16.0 PPG and 7.7 RPG through three games. Tavari Johnson is expected to be an all-league player. The 6'0 senior guard averaged 13.0 PPG and 3.8 APG last season, and has scored 13.0 PPG through his first three games this season. Shammah Scott is another scorer on the perimeter. The 6'2 guard is getting 14.3 PPG through the first three games.
Akron is ranked 79th out of 365 Division I teams according to KenPom. They are 62nd in offensive efficiency and 105th in defensive efficiency. The Zips play relatively fast, ranking 51st in the nation in pace of play.
Boilermakers Back for More
The Purdue Boilermakers are back at the top of the college basketball landscape, two years after playing with their NBA center Zach Edey. Purdue has brought back their top three players from last season and looks to challenge for the Big Ten Championship this season. Purdue played a closer-than-expected game this season against Oakland, where they only won by ten, but followed it up with a huge win over Alabama. In their win over the Crimson Tide, Purdue was led by Braden Smith with 29 points in the win.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  David Hess | +1,311.00 |
| 2 |  Ben Burns | +1,082.00 |
| 3 |  Joe Duffy | +572.00 |
| 4 |  Tony Karpinski | +333.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +256.00 |
Smith is one of the best point guards in the nation, and the 6'0 senior has been a starter since his first day on campus as a freshman at Purdue. This year, he is averaging 18.3 PPG, 8.0 APG, and 5.3 RPG to prove his all-around game. Trey Kaufman-Renn missed the first two games, but opened his season in the marquee matchup against Alabama, and did not disappoint. Kaufman-Renn had 19 points and 15 boards while dominating the paint. Fletcher Loyer is an outside shooter who is also in his senior season. The 6'5 wing is averaging 17.3 PPG.
Purdue is ranked 5th overall according to KenPom. They are 1st in offensive efficiency, while just 44th in defensive efficiency. They play much slower than Akron, ranking 346th in the nation in pace of play.
Akron vs. Purdue Picks and Predictions
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,778.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,716.00 |
| 3 | David Hess | +1,326.00 |
| 4 |  Earle Sports Bets | +1,323.00 |
| 5 | Dan Kaiser | +1,071.00 |
Spread pick for Akron vs. Purdue
- Akron +19.5 (5 units)
As mentioned earlier, the Akron Zips have made the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons and will be able to hang in this game. Akron does not need to win this, but keeping it within 20 points will be easy for the veteran team going up against a Boilermaker team that likes to play slow. Akron won their first three games, with strong wins over Princeton and James Madison. The Zips top three players have been with the team their entire career, and have stuck with the Zips instead of leaving in the portal. Purdue should win, but rank only 346th in the nation in pace of play, and only beat Oakland by 10. Watch for a closer-than-expected game here.
Take Akron with the points.
Over/Under Pick for Akron vs. Purdue
- Under 160.5 (4 units)
Purdue plays at a slow and composed pace, and will not need to push the tempo here against Akron. Purdue just played Alabama, and the score got elevated due to both teams being excellent offensively. That is not the case here, as Akron knows they do not have the firepower to stay with Purdue in a track meet. This means both teams will be willing to play slow, as Purdue wants to play at their 346th ranked tempo, and Akron will want this to be a slow paced game as well to keep it in striking distance in the second half.
Take the under.
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