As we go into the second weekend of the March Madness, we see a tournament that has largely followed the sports betting chalk.
Can we expect any upsets going forward? Here are four teams on upset watch going into the Sweet 16 round.
We know that when it comes to March Madness Sweet 16 betting, you need that edge to bet on favorites and most importantly of all, avoid upsets. The 2024 NCAA Bracket has a fair share of upsets and it’s not over yet.
2024 March Madness Sweet 16 Odds: Betting on the Favorites and Avoiding the Upsets
Betting on Cinderella… Will She Go to Sleep Early?
There’s only one team left in this Sweet 16 that had lower than a 6-seed coming into the tournament, and that’s North Carolina State.
The Wolfpack started their Cinderella run in the ACC Tournament, winning the whole thing and swiping the conference’s automatic bid, and they’re still around. Overall, though, the favorites have largely held, going 30-22 against the spread. Double-digit favorites have gone an eye-popping 14-3 against the spread. The betting public has done well as a whole, as teams getting the majority of the bets have gone 38-13 against the spread.
NC State Wolfpack +230 vs Marquette Golden Eagles +300
March Madness Lines: N.C. State vs Marquette -6.5 / O/U 150.5
When: Thursday, March 28, 9:39 p.m. | CBS
If you look at the rosters on paper, the Golden Eagles are the better team, on both sides of the floor. However, the Wolfpack have a powerful force on their side – momentum. They also have D.J. Burns Jr, who is scoring approximately 20 points per game over his last four contests. The Wolfpack have the size and the hustle to take advantage on the offensive glass, and Marquette is vulnerable at giving up second chances.
Final Prediction: Duke Blue Devils
March Madness Bet on NC State vs Marquette
Houston Cougars -190 vs Duke Blue Devils +155
March Madness Lines: Duke vs Houston -3.5 / O/U 133.5
When: Friday, March 29, 9:39 p.m. | CBS
As long as Kelvin Sampson has coached the Houston Cougars, he has made length and rebounding priorities in his recruiting and game management. However, this season, the Cougars have struggled on the boards, and it almost cost them in the second round against Texas A&M, as the Aggies pulled down 26 boards. Duke showed that they can score at video-game speed, and second chances only make that more dangerous. The Blue Devils are a much better team than the Aggies, making the Blue Devils an intriguing value pick on the moneyline.
Final Prediction: Duke Blue Devils
Bet on Houston vs Duke
Iowa State Cyclones -120 vs Illinois Fighting Illini +100
March Madness Lines: Illinois vs Iowa State -1.5 / O/U 145.5
When: Thursday, March 28, 10:09 p.m. | TBS/truTV
The Cyclones can hold opponents to a low shooting percentage from distance, but they also allow a lot of attempts from beyond the arc. The Illini have shooters who can get hot from downtown and torch solid defenses. Terrence Shannon Jr is the type of scorer who can dominate a game all by himself. Admittedly, a matchup between 2- and 3-seeds won’t yield much of an upset, but in a chalky bracket like this one, you can’t be that choosy. Personally, I think that Iowa State’s combination of opportunistic shotmaking and intrepid defense will carry them through this game, but a lot of bettors like the Illini to get this win.
Final Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini
Bet on Iowa State vs Illinois
Tennessee Volunteers -155 vs Creighton Bluejays +130
March Madness Lines: Creighton vs Tennessee -3.5 / O/U 143.5
When: Friday, March 29, 10:09 p.m. | TBS/truTV
Creighton is shooting 45% from downtown in this tournament, and they have made more three-pointers in this tournament than any of the other 15 remaining teams have even attempted. Creighton has perimeter D that can shut down opponents’ downtown shooting as well. The Volunteers also aren’t a big outside shooting team anyway. A game of swapping two-point baskets for three-point baskets doesn’t sound like a winning deal for the Volunteers, anyway. I think this line has more to do with conference affiliation than with current performance, so the Bluejays are a smart pick here.
March Madness Final Prediction: Creighton Bluejays
Bet on Tennessee vs Creighton
Midwest Regional Final
Purdue to win and cover.
2024 March Madness Schedule
| Round | City | Venue | Dates | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Regional | Boston | TD Garden | March 28 – 30 | Boston College |
| South Regional | Dallas | American Airlines Center | March 29 -31 | Big 12 Conference |
| Midwest Regional | Detroit | Little Caesars Arena | March 29 – 31 | University of Detroit Mercy / Oakland University |
| West Regional | Los Angeles | Crypto.com Arena | March 28 – 30 | Pepperdine University |
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