NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 odds picks predictions best bets best parlay

March Madness Sweet 16, can’t-miss parlay: Bank on this Friday 3-teamer

Analyzing NCAA Tournament betting odds for Friday’s Sweet 16, with predictions and picks for the best parlay bet to make.

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The NCAA tournament has been trimmed down to 16 teams and we have a few intriguing matchups set to take place on Friday at KFC YUM! Center and T-Mobile Center.

After looking at the Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is Friday’s can’t-miss, Sweet 16 parlay among our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Three of the games that are set to take place on Friday currently have spreads of 7.5-points or higher. The only game with a lower spread than is the nightcap between No. 2 Texas against No. 3 Xavier.

See Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 parlay

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:02 a.m. ET. All game times ET; ML = moneyline.

Leg 1: Alabama vs. San Diego State – UNDER 137.5 (-112) – 6:30 p.m. (TBS)

Many people watching the tournament would agree that Alabama appears to be the best team remaining. The Crimson Tide cruised to 21-plus-point wins over Texas A&M CC and Maryland in their 1st 2 games of the tourney, but the Aztecs are a much better group than those programs.

San Diego State prefers to slow things down on the offensive end and it’ll try to limit the number of possessions for Alabama. Even though the Crimson Tide boasts the No. 5 scoring offense in the country (82.3 PPG), both teams are top 40 in field-goal percentage allowed (Alabama 2nd, San Diego State 40th) on the defensive end.

The Aztecs have gone Under in 10 consecutive games, while the Crimson Tide are 5-1 to the Under in their last 6 games overall.

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Leg 2: PRINCETON +9.5 (-105) vs. Creighton – 9 p.m. (TBS)

Princeton has been the biggest cinderella of the tournament and is the lone double-digit seed remaining. After limiting No. 2 Arizona to only 55 points in the first round, 15-seed Princeton impressively converted 12 threes and free throws alike to take down No. 7 Missouri 78-63 in the 2nd round.

Creighton also looked impressive in its 85-76 victory over No. 3 Baylor in the Round of 32, where it made all 22 of its free-throw attempts. While the Bluejays attempt a lot of 3s per game (24.6 to rank 52nd), the Tigers have forced teams to shoot only 32 percent from beyond the arc (74th) this season.

Princeton has covered the spread in 6 straight games and it should be able to keep it within 10 points against Creighton on Friday night.

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Leg 3: XAVIER ML (+160) vs. Texas – 9:45 (CBS)

Fans of Texas may believe I have it out for them as I picked Penn State to beat them in the Round of 32. Penn State had the recipe to defeat Texas, but Xavier is by far the best team the Longhorns have faced in the Big Dance.

Besides shooting an efficient 38.9 percent from 3-point range (5th), the Musketeers dominate the glass with 37.8 rebounds per game (36th). Meanwhile, the Longhorns are 214th at 34.4 rebounds per game.

Despite Texas forcing 15.9 turnovers per game (19th), Xavier has the 9th-best assist/turnover ratio (1.55) this season. If they prevent the Longhorns from getting easy points off of turnovers, the Musketeers could be advancing to the Elite 8.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $86.09 (ticket pays $96.09).

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March Madness Sweet 16, can’t-miss parlay: Bank on this Thursday 3-teamer

Analyzing NCAA Tournament betting odds for Thursday’s Sweet 16, with predictions and picks for the best parlay bet to make.

We’re going to pare down the NCAA Tournament field from 16 teams to 12 Thursday and there are some intriguing games on the schedule for Madison Square Garden in New York and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

After looking at the Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is Thursday’s can’t-miss, Sweet 16 parlay among our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Unlike Friday’s slate of games, the 4 contests scheduled for Thursday are expected to be close as teams are favored by 3.5 or fewer points in 3 of the 4 games. The only game the books expect to be lopsided is the 4th-seeded Tennessee Volunteers against the 9th-seeded FAU Owls at Madison Square Garden.

See Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 parlay

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:37 a.m. ET. All game times ET; ML = moneyline.

Leg 1: KANSAS STATE ML (+115) vs. Michigan State – 6:30 p.m. (TBS)

Michigan State ended the regular season with just 7 wins in the final 14 games dating back to Jan. 13, and Sparty was just 4-7 ATS in the final 11 outings. To make matters worse, MSU lost by 10 points to a bad Ohio State team in the first game of the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

The outlook heading into the NCAA Tournament was bleak, but this is a Tom Izzo-coached team, and he does what he does best — motivate. After wins and covers against USC and Marquette in the first 2 games of the Big Dance, the books have Sparty favored.

Take advantage. Kansas State has been the much more consistent team during the tournament and in the regular season. K-State has averaged 76.0 points per game (PPG) on offense while allowing 67.0 PPG in 2 wins and covers in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats have won 6 of the past 8 games overall and have covered 6 of the past 7. Head coach Jerome Tang has really made a name for himself in this tournament, and he’ll help the purple crush the veteran Izzo and his upstart Spartans.

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Leg 2: UConn vs. Arkansas UNDER 139.5 (-110) – 7:15 p.m. (CBS)

The Huskies kick off the first of 2 games at T-Mobile Arena. With defending champs Baylor, Duke, Kansas and Virginia all ousted from the NCAA Tournament, and North Carolina and Villanova not in the field, UConn is the most recent national champion (2014) still alive.

Arkansas has picked up wins and covers against Illinois and Kansas, so this certainly won’t be easy for UConn, and this game really and truly could go either way.

The Huskies have wins and covers against Iona and Saint Mary’s so far, too. The one thing these teams have in common is defense — and a lot of it.

UConn has cashed the Under in 3 of 4 postseason games, and 5 of the past 6 games overall. The Huskies have allowed 70 or fewer points in 6 straight games since Feb. 11 and in 9 of their last 10 games. The Under is also 4-1 in the past 5 neutral-site games for the Huskies.

Arkansas has hit the Under in 3 in a row, allowing an average of just 67.0 PPG in the past 3 postseason games. That’s a common theme for the Hogs, too, as the Under has cashed in 5 consecutive NCAA Tournament games for Arkansas.

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Leg 3: TENNESSEE -5.5 (-112) vs. Florida Atlantic – 9 p.m. (TBS)

The Volunteers are back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. This bet comes with risk though, as Tennessee is just 1-7 straight-up in 8 previous trips to the Sweet 16 round.

The good news for the Vols is that FAU might be the perfect opponent to break that ugly cycle, as the Owls are playing in their 1st-ever Sweet 16 game and its 1st-ever game played at MSG, too.

FAU has 33 wins in 36 tries this season, but it is just 1-1 straight up and ATS in 2 games against SEC teams, and it lost its only previous NCAA Tournament game against an SEC foe (Alabama in 2002).

The Owls will have to contend with the most physical team they have seen to date, and it’s not even close. The Vols rank in the top 3 in points allowed (57.8, 3rd), defensive field-goal percentage (37.2%, 3rd) and defensive 3-pointer percentage (26.4%, 1st).

The total is set at 130.5, and the Volunteers are 8-2 ATS in the past 10 games with a total of 131 or fewer points. Look for Tennessee to roll into the Elite 8, ending a dream season for FAU.

Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $67.69 (ticket pays $77.69).

Try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator.

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March Madness Sweet 16 can’t-miss parlay: Bank on this 3-legger

Analyzing NCAA Tournament betting odds for the Sweet 16, with predictions and picks for the best parlay bet to make.

The Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament provides us with 8 games to bet, with 4 games scheduled for Thursday, and 4 more games Friday as we pare the field down to the Elite 8. There is still plenty of money to be made before a champion is crowned.

After looking at the Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is a can’t-miss, Sweet 16 parlay among our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Some of the traditional teams are no longer in the field, although there are still plenty of big names. We have a handful of upstart teams who might not be used to the bright lights of this all-important round. Of course, the national championship is wide-open this season, especially with some of the favorites having already fallen by the wayside.

See Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 parlay

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:01 a.m. ET. All game times ET.

Leg 1: Gonzaga vs. UCLA OVER 145.5 (-110) – Thursday, 9:45 p.m. (CBS)

The Bulldogs and Bruins renew acquaintances in the NCAA Tournament. This is their 4th meeting in the Big Dance between these West Coast behemoths.

Playing the Over comes with some risk as Gonzaga has cashed the Under in 3 of its 4 postseason games. However, it’s not due to a lack of scoring as the Zags have posted 77 or more points in each of the games.

Defensively, Gonzaga had allowed 73 or fewer points in the first 3 postseason games, but TCU dropped 81 on the Bulldogs in Sunday’s second-round contest. As the competition has become greater, Gonzaga’s defense isn’t nearly as strong.

This is a Zags team which cashed the Over in each of the final 8 regular-season games.

UCLA has cashed the Over in both of its tournament games, averaging 77.0 PPG, while allowing 58.0 PPG. The total is obviously much higher against a Gonzaga team which ranked No. 1 in the nation in the regular season with 88.0 PPG, and 52.9% field-goal percentage, according to covers.com.

The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 games overall for the Bruins, and 14-5 in the last 19 games following a non-cover.

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Leg 2: Miami vs. Houston UNDER 138.5 (-115) – Friday, 7:15 p.m. (CBS)

Leg 3: MIAMI +7.5 (-115) vs. Houston

The Hurricanes have been impressive so far, topping Drake 63-56 in the opening round, before routing Indiana 85-69 as 1.5-point underdogs. The ACC regular-season champs have played great basketball in the last 2 months, going 11-2 straight-up (SU) and 8-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 13 games dating back to Jan. 31.

It’s become a common theme for the ‘Canes in recent seasons as they are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 NCAA Tournament games. Their also 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games against teams with a winning overall record, too.

Houston saw star G Marcus Sasser (groin) aggravate his injury in the 1st-round win against Northern Kentucky. He made a decision to play against Auburn in the 2nd round, as it was a pain tolerance thing. Sasser was apparently fine, as he scored 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 5-for-9 from behind the arc.

Despite that solid performance by Sasser, the Cougars still shot 42% (25-for-60) overall against the Tigers. It was good enough to win by 17, though, as UH plays great defense.

The Under is 6-1 in the previous 7 NCAA Tournament games for the ‘Canes, while going 7-3 in the last 10 neutral-site games. For Houston, the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 NCAA Tournament games, while going 7-3 in the last 10 neutral-site contests, too.

As such, I like Miami plus the points AND the Under, as 2 of the 3 legs in this parlay.

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Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $56.73 (ticket pays $66.73).

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March Madness Sweet 16 can’t-miss parlay: Bank on this Thursday 3-teamer

Assessing NCAA Tournament betting odds and lines for the Sweet 16, with predictions and picks for Thursday’s best parlay bet to make.

Following a thrilling opening four days of March Madness, fans will get 12 high-stakes games this weekend, starting with four Sweet 16 matchups tipping off Thursday.

After looking at the NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is a can’t-miss Sweet 16 parlay among our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Thursday’s slate has two of the remaining top-three seeds in action. The West Region’s No. 1 seed Gonzaga takes on fourth-seeded Arkansas in the opener, while the South’s No. 1 seed Arizona faces No. 5 seed Houston in the fourth and final game of the night.

The other two contests feature second-seeded Villanova battling 11th-seeded Michigan in the South, and Coach K’s second-seeded Duke squad taking on No. 3 seed Texas Tech in the West.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: March Madness Sweet 16 betting primer

Thursday Sweet 16 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 Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. ET.

Leg 1: Gonzaga -9.5 (-110) vs. Arkansas – 7:09 p.m. ET

The Gonzaga Bulldogs – No. 1 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports – have yet to completely unleash their dominance in this tournament. However, they have still managed to get by their two first-round matchups, failing to cover the spread in both.

This game is going to be more about the one-dimensional Razorbacks. Arkansas is led by G JD Notae. At 18.4 points per game, he’s the SEC’s second-best scorer this season.

In postseason play, including two SEC tourney games, Notae is averaging 28.6% from the field and just 14.8 points per game (PPG), well below his regular-season averages of 41.4% and 18.9 PPG, respectively. The Razorbacks managed to get by against two double-digit seeds – No. 13 Vermont and No. 12 New Mexico State – but now facing the tournament’s top-overall seed, it will be far more difficult.

Also, the Zags are the only team with a top-nine offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Against the best frontcourt in the nation, I expect Arkansas to struggle and Gonzaga to come out on top by double figures.

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Leg 2: Michigan vs. Villanova UNDER 135.5 (-115) – 7:29 p.m. ET

The Villanova Wildcats are arguably the most well-coached team in the nation, and they typically impose their will on opponents. Meaning, this could be a slower game as ‘Nova ranks 342nd of 358 Division 1 teams in possessions per game. Villanova is 17-18 O/U this season.

While Michigan is 21-12 O/U, it only features two players, C Hunter Dickinson and G Eli Brooks, who averaged more than 10 points per game in the postseason. Villanova head coach Jay Wright will more than likely do all he can to ensure Dickinson doesn’t beat the Wildcats.

Villanova is 1-4 O/U in postseason play.

The ‘Cats will be able to take the Wolverines out of their typical style of play by slowing the pace down and limiting Dickinson. Along with a desire to have this game as a half-court battle, it’s unlikely points are in abundance here.

Leg 3: Houston +1.5 (-110) vs. Arizona – 9:59 p.m. ET

The Houston Cougars have taken down 12th-seeded UAB and No. 4 seed Illinois with relative ease to get to the Sweet 16. Some say their numbers are inflated, but Houston and Gonzaga are the only teams with top-10 offensive and defensive efficiency in the NCAA.

KenPom has the Cougars as the second-best team in the country.

Furthermore, the Cougars, are the best offensive rebounding team in the nation, according to TeamRankings.com. Considering Arizona gave up 20 offensive boards to TCU, Houston will have a major advantage on the glass, one that could decide the game.

The Wildcats have arguably the best scorer in the nation, G Bennedict Mathurin, who averaged 24.0 PPG in their two NCAA tourney wins – he averaged 17.3 PPG during the regular season. The Pac-12 Player of the Year willed the Wildcats past the Horned Frogs in a second-round game with a late 3-pointer to force overtime.

However, I’d best against that vs. a team far better than TCU. I’ll take Houston to finalize this winning parlay ticket.

Parlay payout: Bet $100 to win $581.39.

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