March Madness: Sweet 16 Predictions

Second-chance begins about now, so take this time to take your picks on who’s making it to the Elite 8.

(6) Clemson vs (2) Arizona

Spread: Clemson +7.5 (-115), Arizona -7.5 (-105)

Total: O/U 152.5 (O -105, U -115)

Moneyline: Clemson (+260), Arizona (-350)

MY PICK: Clemson – Though I know Arizona is looking hot right now, I feel another upset coming and feel like Clemson is going to dominate in this matchup. There are (literal) odds staked against them, but I feel like they’re going to take it in stride and deliver to punch their ticket to the Elite 8.

(5) San Diego St vs (1) UConn

Spread: San Diego St +10.5 (+100), UConn -10.5 (-120)

Total: O/U 135.5 (O -115, U -105)

Moneyline: San Diego St (+500), UConn (-700)

MY PICK: UConn – UConn is an easy pick to take for a back-to-back championship. The team is too good, and though I know San Diego State is another great team to take in March Madness, UConn is going to clear in this game.

(4) Alabama vs (1) North Carolina

Spread: Alabama +4.5 (-115), North Carolina -4.5 (-105)

Total: O/U 173.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Alabama (+165), North Carolina (-200)

MY PICK: Alabama – I always feel some degree of confidence taking Alabama in football and basketball. I think North Carolina’s time ends after Alabama gets their upset win to go to the Elite 8, much like another team did to them just a year prior.

(3) Illinois vs (2) Iowa State

Spread: Illinois +1.5 (-105), Iowa State -1.5 (-115)

Total: O/U 146.5 (O -105, U -115)

Moneyline: Illinois (+110), Iowa State (-135)

MY PICK: Iowa State – I’m taking Iowa State solely on the basis of betting. When it comes to two close seeds matching up like we have in Illinois and Iowa State, I usually always side with the higher seed. Iowa State is going to the Elite 8.

(11) NC State vs (2) Marquette

Spread: NC State +6.5 (-110), Marquette -6.5 (-110)

Total: O/U 150.5 (-110)

Moneyline: NC State (+230), Marquette (-300)

MY PICK: Marquette – Marquette is one of those March Madness teams you’re almost stupid to not take. It makes so much sense to back them, especially against 11th-seed NC State. I think Marquette at least gets to the Final Four.

(5) Gonzaga vs (1) Purdue

Spread: Gonzaga +5.5 (-115), Purdue -5.5 (-105)

Total: 0/U 154.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Gonzaga (+185), Purdue (-225)

MY PICK: Gonzaga – Gonzaga is another one of those March Madness teams you should back. Yes I get that they are a 5th-seed, but I took them in the first round and they moved on. I don’t know how much I trust Purdue, but I do trust Gonzaga to be constant March Madness teams.

(4) Duke vs (1) Houston U

Spread: Duke +4.5 (-110), Houston U -4.5 (-110)

Total: O/U 134.5 (O -105, U -115)

Moneyline: Duke (+165), Houston U (-200)

MY PICK: Houston U – As mentioned above with Illinois vs Iowa State, I usually feel more inclined to side with the higher seed, in this case Houston U. I know Duke is a good team, but Houston’s power play this season has been unmatched.

(3) Creighton vs (2) Tennessee

Spread: Creighton +2.5 (-105), Tennessee -2.5 (-110)

Total: O/U 143.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Creighton (+125), Tennessee (-155)

MY PICK: Tennessee – Here we have an excellent matchup with both teams deserving of an Elite 8 appearance, but I do have a little more confidence in Tennessee to take the win. I love Tennessee’s style of play and how they’re able to develop good strategies against their opponents.

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