In a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup in the Midwest Region of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the No. 1 seed Purdue Boilermakers will face off against the No. 2 seed Tennessee Volunteers. The game is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2:20 p.m. ET at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Purdue (32-4) earned their spot in the Elite Eight with a dominant 80-68 victory over the No. 5 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Sweet 16 on Friday. This win followed their previous triumph over Tennessee earlier in the season, where they emerged victorious with a final score of 71-67 in the Maui Invitational.

On the other hand, the Volunteers (27-8) are seeking their first-ever Final Four appearance in school history. They secured their spot in the Elite Eight by defeating the No. 3 seed Creighton Bluejays in a hard-fought contest on Friday.

According to the latest Purdue vs. Tennessee odds from SportsLine consensus, the Boilermakers are favored by 3.5 points in this matchup, with the over/under set at 147.5 points for total scoring.

Purdue holds an impressive 9-1 record in neutral-site games this season, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. They have defeated several top teams during their campaign, including Marquette, Alabama, Arizona, and Illinois.

The key figure for the Boilermakers has been reigning Wooden Award winner Zach Edey, who has been on a tear with five consecutive double-doubles. In the Sweet 16 win over Gonzaga, Edey tallied an outstanding 27 points and 14 rebounds, proving to be a challenging matchup for opponents. Purdue's strong supporting cast, with three other starters averaging double digits, adds to their offensive firepower.

Tennessee, on the other hand, has shown significant improvement since their previous encounter with Purdue in November. With point guard Zakai Zeigler winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award and Dalton Knecht being named the SEC Player of the Year, the Volunteers have found success. Both players had a pivotal impact in the Sweet 16 win over Creighton, contributing a combined 42 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.

The depth of the Volunteers' roster, with six players averaging at least 6.5 points per game, gives them an advantage. They have covered the spread in 10 of their last 15 games and are poised to give their all in their rematch against the formidable Edey and the Boilermakers.

SportsLine's model, which has been highly accurate throughout the tournament, predicts an intense battle with a projected total of 147 points. The model also suggests that one side of the spread will hit in well over 50% of simulations.

As fans eagerly await this Elite Eight showdown between Purdue and Tennessee, the stage is set for an exhilarating clash between two powerhouse teams. The outcome of the game will determine which team punches their ticket to the coveted Final Four.