Sweet 16 SU Picks – Cash in on March Madness Outright Winners!
No. 4 Iowa State vs. No. 1 Virginia
When: 7:10 PM ET, Friday, March 25, 2016 Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois Line: Virginia -5.5 Total: Over/Under: 141 Analysis: s much as I like Iowa State high-scoring Iowa State (23-11 SU, 17-13 ATS) and All-American forward Georges Niang and the five other players that all average double digits in scoring, I just can’t see the Cyclones beating a Virginia Cavaliers (28-7 SU, 18-14 ATS) team that has routinely shut its opponents down all season. Virginia limited its opponents to just 59.5 points per game this season and have a heady All-American of their own in Malcolm Brogdon (18.6 ppg). Prior to their tourney run, Iowa State dropped two straight, three of five and four of their previous seven games overall. Virginia has gone 8-1 in their neutral site games this season while Iowa State has gone 5-2 in seven neutral site contests. More importantly, the Cavaliers give up a whopping 15.2 fewer points per game than the Cyclones, which is why they’ll win this affair outright!The Pick: Virginia 77 Iowa State 73
No. 4 Duke vs. No. 1 Oregon
When: 10:07 PM ET, Thursday, March 24, 2016 Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California Line: Oregon -2.5 Total: 155 Analysis: The Oregon Ducks (30-6 SU, 20-13 ATS) are the easy pick to take down a Duke Blue Devils (25-10 SU, 14-18 ATS) ballclub that I believe is mediocre at best this season. Outside of the athletically-gifted forward Brandon Ingram (17.1 ppg) and hard-nosed shooting guard Grayson Allen(21.8 ppg), Duke just doesn’t have a bunch of experience to lean on and it will show in this contest against an Oregon team that is out for both, a big-time win – and the respect they feel they deserve this season. Oregon has four players that average at least 12.1 points per game and has a duo of stars in forwards Dillon Brooks (16.8 ppg) and Elgin Cook (14.5 ppg). The Ducks went 7-1 in eight neutral site games while Duke lost three of their eight neural site matchups. Prior to winning their two tourney games, the Blue Devils alternated SU wins and losses over their previous eight games while falling to Notre Dame, Carolina, Pittsburgh and Louisville. Oregon has won their last 10 games and will advance to the Elite Eight by handing the Blue Devils in this contest.The Pick: Oregon 80 Duke 74
