Gonzaga vs Purdue Picks and Prediction for Monday November 2, 2026
The Gonzaga Bulldogs will open their 2026-27 college basketball season Monday night with a matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM ET, with coverage available on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Gonzaga comes into the new season ranked No. 15 in the country following a 31-win campaign a year ago. Purdue enters the season ranked No. 24 in the Coaches Poll, looking to continue its success against a Gonzaga program it has beaten in five previous meetings. The Bulldogs are 4.5-point favorites and -238 on the money line. Purdue is +195 on the money line, and the total is set at 155.5 points. Stay in the action with our College Basketball Picks.
Gonzaga looks to start strong in Vegas
The Gonzaga Bulldogs will open the 2026 season ranked inside the top 20, looking to repeat and build upon last year's success. Gonzaga finished last season with 31 wins following a six-point loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas. As a team, Gonzaga averaged better than 85 points on 51% shooting from the floor. Last year's second-leading scorer, Braden Huff, returns this season after averaging 17.8 points in just over 25 minutes per game.
Head coach Mark Few has regularly coached the Gonzaga Bulldogs to top-10 rankings and will look to do so again this season after some success in the 2026 recruiting class. Gonzaga ranked inside the top 50 nationally in the 2026 recruiting class. The Bulldogs added Luca Foster, who is a former four-star small forward out of Link Academy. Gonzaga also welcomes big man Sam Funches, who was also a four-star recruit and will help bolster Gonzaga's interior presence.
Purdue hunts the upset
The Purdue Boilermakers were one of the best teams in the country all year last season and finished their year with 30 wins following a double-digit loss to Arizona in the Elite Eight. As a team last year, Purdue averaged just under 82 points per game on 49.9% shooting and 37.9% from the outside. CJ Cox is the top returning scorer this season for Purdue after averaging 8.5 points across 24.4 minutes of action. Junior Gicarri Harris also returns this season, expected to step into the biggest role of his career this year.
Head coach Matt Painter will welcome a solid recruiting class to the roster this year with the addition of three former four-star players. Point guard Luke Ertel is expected to step into a meaningful role early for the Boilermakers. Jacob Webber adds to the Boilermakers' depth, and 7'0" Sinan Huan bulks up the Purdue frontcourt.
Gonzaga vs Purdue Picks and Prediction
Pick: Gonzaga -4.5
Gonzaga has the offensive ability and experience necessary to take control of this matchup against Purdue. The Bulldogs have consistently been one of the most productive offensive teams in college basketball, and they should have opportunities to create quality looks against the Boilermakers. Purdue has dominated this matchup historically, but Gonzaga has the talent necessary to change that trend. The Bulldogs will need to establish themselves around the basket and avoid allowing Purdue to control the rebounding battle. Gonzaga should also have opportunities to create offense in transition and put pressure on the Boilermakers throughout the game. Look for the Bulldogs to start their season with a statement victory and cover the number.
Total Pick: Over 155.5
Both teams have enough offensive talent to make this an entertaining matchup, especially if Gonzaga can establish a quick tempo early. The Bulldogs should have opportunities to score around the basket and create open perimeter looks, while Purdue has the shooting ability to keep pace. The Boilermakers knocked down 30 three-pointers across their first two exhibition games, showing their ability to stretch opposing defenses. Gonzaga will have to match that production offensively, which could lead to additional possessions and scoring opportunities. Expect both teams to find success throughout the game as the offenses do enough to push the combined score over the posted total.