If your bracket is in a shambles right now, you are far from alone. Once Saint Peter’s, a 15-seed, edged Kentucky in the first round, many brackets were torched as sports betting enthusiasts who had the Wildcats going all the way to the Final Four were in agony. Then, Saint Peter’s won again to become just the third 15-seed ever to appear in a Sweet 16, joined by a pair of 11-seeds and a 10-seed. We have picks for each of the eight matchups in the third round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, so take a look before locking in your March Madness wagers.
NCAA News: Sweet 16 SU Picks
Thursday, March 24
→ West Region
#4 Arkansas vs #1 Gonzaga (-8.5) (7:09 pm ET, CBS)
Gonzaga was down 10 to 9-seed Memphis in the second round but dug out of that hole to deliver an 82-78 win. Memphis is one of the most athletic teams in the nation, so the Bulldogs have already survived a challenge more robust than what the Razorbacks have faced so far. Even so, Arkansas has improved dramatically down the stretch in SEC play, and I am not sold on this Gonzaga team as being upset-proof.
Final Score Prediction: Arkansas 76, Gonzaga 73
#3 Texas Tech (-1) vs #2 Duke (9:39 pm ET, CBS)
We have the high-powered Duke offense against the elite Texas Tech defense, ranked #1 in the nation according to KenPom. Paolo Banchero is Duke’s top scorer, but he does not really have a secondary helper that can also put up points at an elite level, so the Red Raiders should bring Coach K’s storied career to an end on Thursday.
Final Score Prediction: Texas Tech 69, Duke 66
→ South Region
#11 Michigan vs #2 Villanova (-5) (7:29 pm ET, TBS)
Michigan entered the season ranked sixth in the nation, but they spent most of the season playing below that level. Now that they have the “underdog” label, they can play as though they have nothing to lose. Michigan last saw Villanova in the 2018 national championship game and fell short. However, Villanova has also found a new gear in the last couple of weeks and should win.
Final Score Prediction: Villanova 70, Michigan 65
#5 Houston vs #1 Arizona (-2) (9:59 pm ET, TBS)
Houston has height and rebounds at an elite level, and they also have a smothering defense. However, they haven’t seen a duo like Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko at any point this season; in fact, they got swept by Memphis in AAC play. Arizona had to fight to beat TCU in overtime on Sunday, so they should be back on track.Final Score Prediction: Arizona 68, Houston 59
Friday, March 25
→ East Region
#15 St. Peter’s vs #3 Purdue (-12.5) (7:09 pm ET, CBS)
This is St. Peter’s closest shot at a “home” game in this postseason, with the game in Philadelphia, just 90 miles from campus. Purdue can score with the best of them, but their defense gives up too much. Running the offense through Trevion Williams should give the Boilermakers the win, but they won’t be able to get enough stops to cover this spread.
Final Score Prediction: Purdue 75, St. Peter’s 67
#8 North Carolina vs #4 UCLA (-2) (9:39 pm ET, CBS)
Which Bruins team will show up this time? They barely escaped Akron in the first round, but then they looked elite in whipping St. Mary’s. Jaime Jaquez Jr (ankle) is questionable and may be limited if he can play, and who will the Bruins use to stop big man Armando Bacot?
Final Score Prediction: North Carolina 70, UCLA 64
→ Midwest Region
#4 Providence vs #1 Kansas (-7.5) (7:29 pm ET, TBS)
Providence won the Big East regular season title, and they also won their first two tournament games using a formula that shuts down opposing offenses and uses that defensive prowess to feed the offense. Kansas has one of the easier roads to the Final Four – beat the Friars and then the winner of 10-seed Miami (FL) and 11-seed Iowa State, but the Jayhawks have fumbled away success before. This time? They will win, but it won’t be easy.
Final Score Prediction: Kansas 60, Providence 55
#11 Iowa State vs #10 Miami (FL) (-2) (9:59 pm ET, TBS)
Iowa State has already knocked off LSU and then Wisconsin – with a second-round game in Milwaukee, in an arena full of Badger fans. The Cyclones are all about stifling defense, and they should be able to control the game despite the trio of Isaiah Wong, Kameron McGusty and Charlie Moore at guard for the Hurricanes.
Final Score Prediction: Iowa State 61, Miami 58
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