While the first round of this year’s version of March Madness featured plenty of mayhem, there was a correction in the second round, when the favorites went 15-1. The only team left in the Sweet 16 lower than a six-seed is the North Carolina State Wolfpack, the 11th seed in the South Region. They face off with the second-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles in one of the region’s Sweet 16 games this week. The other matchup in the South pits 4-seed Duke against the top-seeded Houston Cougars.
Let’s take a closer look at these two matchups as you plan your weekend of online College Basketball betting.
2024 NCAA News: March Madness Sweet 16 Predictions for the South Region
Duke +152 / Houston -184
(4) Duke Blue Devils (+4.5) vs (1) Houston Cougars (O/U 133.5)
Many sports observers (including me) thought that Duke would have their hands full with James Madison – the Blue Devils’ victory put a dent in my March Madness bracket. Give Duke credit, though, as they got eight three-balls from Jared McCain among 14 makes from distance for the game as they rolled the Dukes, 93-55. This is Duke’s 29th Sweet 16 berth; for the game, they shot 52% overall and 50% from downtown. Tyrese Proctor (18), Jeremy Roach (15), and Kyle Filipowski all tallied in touble figures. In this tournament, Duke is scoring almost 84 points per game, shooting 46% overall and 42% from behind the arc, making 10 three-balls per game. Their defense is smothering, permitting just 51 points per game. Can they do similar damage to Houston?
The Cougars needed overtime to avoid disaster against Texas A&M in the second round. The Cougars fell apart late in the second half and the Aggies came back to force the extra frame, turning a 12-point lead with just over two minutes left into overtime. That 17-5 run that included a three-ball at the buzzer could have put the dagger in Houston mentally. Starters Emanual Sharp, L.J. Cryer and Jamal Shead all fouled out, but the Cougars still went on a 7-1 run to open overtime and held on for the win. Sharp led Houston with 30 points, and Shead (21) and Cryer (20) all made their marmk as well. Houston is back in the Sweet 16 for the fifth straight season, and with this game set for the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the game should have a home-court feel. Houston’s offense is putting up 92 points per game in the tournament while they give up just 70.5 points per game, and teams are shooting just 29% behind the arc so far. Of course, that first-round laugher over Longwood might be skewing those numbers a bit. Can Houston cool Duke off? Houston to win and cover.
N.C. State +240 / Marquette -300
(11) N.C. State Wolfpack (+6.5) vs (2) Marquette Golden Eagles (O/U 150.5)
The Wolfpack are the last Cinderella standing, and their run has been storied indeed. Headed for an NIT berth before the ACC Tournament began, the Wolfpack streaked through to a conference tournament title, swiping an automatic bid. In their last win over an Oakland College team that sent 3-seed Kentucky home in the first round, the Wolfpack prevailed, 79-73. Their defense held Oakland to 36.8% shooting and forced six turnovers, posting four steals. On the offensive end, the Wolfpack generated 11 second chances with offensive rebounds, among 44 total boards on the night, to just 30 for Oakland. They shot 45.3% overall from the floor and won despite making just nine of their 26 shots from distance. D.J. Burns posted 24 points and 11 rebounds in 42 minutes of the overtime win.
Marquette brought Colorado’s dreams of a long run after a First Four victory to an end with an 81-77 victory. Marquette won despite posting just 23 rebounds and turning the ball over a dozen times. From downtown, Marquette went 9 of 21 (42.9%) from behind the arc and shot 61.8% of the game. The defense limited Colorado to just 47.0% shooting for the game. Tyler Kolek put up 21 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, playing all 40 minutes. Their defense is opportunistic, forcing 14.7 turnovers per game. The Wolfpack continue their run of momentum, and with their size inside, they will push Marquette. N.C. State to cover / Marquette to win.
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