The Elite Eight for the NCAA Tournament is set. You have the perfect bracket so far, right? This has been one of the more memorable Big Dances in a while, as we have our first 15-seed in the Elite Eight thanks to Saint Peter’s defeating Purdue in the Sweet 16. Will North Carolina finally pluck the feathers of the Peacocks?
After looking at the NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is a can’t-miss Elite Eight parlay among our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
We have just a single one-seed remaining, with a pair of two-seeds, a four-seed, a five-seed, an eight-seed, a 10-seed and the improbable 15-seed. There is a lot of value on the board this weekend.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight can’t-miss parlay
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 12:11 p.m. ET.
Leg 1: Villanova (+125 ML) vs. Houston – Saturday, 6:09 p.m. ET
The Wildcats are looking to get back to the Final Four, while the Cougars were just there last season. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has done a tremendous job in Houston, and the 5-seed is actually favored here over the 2-seed.
The thinking by the books is that Houston has the experience from last season to build upon, while G Collin Gillespie and Villanova lost in the regional semifinal last season.
The Wildcats are a tremendous value as an underdog. If you prefer to take the small amount of points instead, Villanova is 20-6 ATS in its last 26 NCAA Tournament games. I prefer them straight up, however.
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Leg 2: Duke (-190 ML) vs. Arkansas – Saturday, 8:49 p.m. ET
Duke isn’t going home Saturday, although I think this is going to be a hotly contested game decided in the final moments at the free-throw line.
I’d never bet a money line like this straight up, but playing it as part of a 3-team parlay is A-OK. Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski still has plenty of basketball remaining in his final NCAA Tournament, including a possible final showdown with North Carolina in the Final Four if both teams can get it done in the Elite Eight. Isn’t that what everybody wants to see? The TV ratings will be ridiculous, so CBS is certainly cheering for it.
Arkansas has had a nice run, dumping Gonzaga last time out. However, the Razorbacks shot the ball poorly and were lucky to get it done. Guards JD Notae and Stanley Umude just won’t be enough to snow under F Paolo Banchero, F Wendell Moore, Jr., G Jeremy Roach and company.
Leg 3: Saint Peter’s +8.5 (-115) vs. North Carolina – Sunday, 6:05 p.m ET
Last, but certainly not least, you have to include this year’s Cinderella team in your parlay, right? Saint Peter’s has ousted Kentucky, Murray State and Purdue to make history as the only 15-seed to advance to the Elite Eight. North Carolina should still be very confident, but also a little concerned.
The Peacocks have helped bettors ‘strut up’ to the betting window with a winning ticket in 10 consecutive games, going 10-0 ATS since a 14-point loss at Siena Feb. 20. That setback against the Saints was also their last straight-up loss.
UNC has caught fire themselves, as F Armando Bacot, G Caleb Love and F Brady Manek have really stepped up. The Tar Heels are 7-1 ATS across their last eight games overall. This is going to be a surprisingly close game, but the Saint Peter’s bubble is going to finally burst after a historic run. UNC will set up a Final Four date with nemesis Duke for the largest stakes ever in that rivalry.
Parlay payout: Bet $100 to win $642.05.
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