March Madness Betting Picks: Sweet 16 Underdogs Worth a Shot

NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 odds are out. Anybody who has experience betting on NCAA Tournament games know that, often, a win or loss against the spread can come down to a final shot, which is why it’s important to handicap games instead of just backing chalk to cover. After handicapping all eight Sweet 16 contests, four dogs appear destined to cover the spread. Check out the four underdogs along with their March Madness Betting Odds you should consider backing ATS in their Sweet 16 matchup. 

NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Underdogs Worth Betting

NCAA Sweet 16 Round

• When: Thursday, March 24 – Friday, March 25

Arkansas Razorbacks +8 ½ vs Gonzaga Bulldogs

• When: Thursday, March 24

The Zags may be the most talented team left in the NCAA Tournament. But talent isn’t as important as cohesiveness, and in this case, defense.

Arkansas has proven itself against Vermont and New Mexico State, a couple of teams that many thought might beat them straight up. So although the Razorbacks didn’t cover in either one of those wins, they should keep it close against the Zags.

Also, Gonzaga struggled versus Memphis, beating the Tigers 82-78 as a -10 favorite. Arkansas is similar to Memphis. In addition, the Razorbacks have taken more free throws than any team in the nation. So if the Hogs can get Drew Timme or Chet Holmgren or both into foul trouble, they can win this game straight up. 

Duke Blue Devils +1 vs Texas Tech Red Raiders

• When: Thursday, March 24

Texas Tech is the chalk. By the time this tips, the Blue Devils might be favored. But for now, Coach K’s squad is the underdog. 

Texas Tech struggled against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. No offense to the Irish. They are a good basketball team. But Duke turned into one of the teams to beat in this tournament after dropping 85 points onto Michigan State. 

Duke has scorers for days, which means the Red Raiders will have to concentrate hard on defense. Make no mistake, Texas Tech has one of the best defenses in the nation. But Tech will find it difficult to guard all of Duke’s shooters and then keep Paolo Banchero and 7’0” center Mark Williams from crashing the boards. Duke wins. 

Providence Friars +7 ½ vs Kansas Jayhawks

• When: Thursday, March 24

Yes, Kansas is loaded. But the Friars covered in their first couple of NCAA Tournament games and it wasn’t close. 

Versus scorching South Dakota State, Providence beat the Jackrabbits 66-57 as a -3 chalk. Then as a -3.5 chalk versus Richmond, Providence dominated 79-51. 

The Friars’ defense is very good while Kansas struggled to get past Creighton in their second round game. Don’t be surprised if Providence wins this straight up. 

North Carolina Tar Heels +115 ML vs UCLA Bruins

• When: Thursday, March 24

UCLA should be the chalk after destroying St. Mary’s 72-56, but the Gaels couldn’t hit a bucket from anywhere on the court after seemingly making every shot in their first game against Indiana. St. Mary’s suffered the dreaded bounce where a team plays awful in the game after an impressive victory. 

In their Round 2 contest, North Carolina built a 25-point lead against Baylor only to see the lead evaporate and then have to beat the Bears in overtime. North Carolina showed grit to hang in the win.

The Bruins have nobody that can matchup with Armando Bacot. He will dominate the paint. Don’t be surprised if North Carolina beats UCLA  by 6 or more points.   

 

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2023 March Madness Sweet 16 Schedule
Men's College Basketball Playoffs Betting Predictions and Analysis:

Thursday, March 23 | Sweet 16

No. 3 Kansas State vs. No. 7 Michigan State	6:30 p.m.	TBS
No. 4 UConn vs. No. 8 Arkansas	7:15 p.m.	CBS
No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 9 Florida Atlantic	9 p.m.	TBS
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 3 Gonzaga	9:45 p.m.	CBS

 

Friday, March 24 | Sweet 16

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 5 San Diego State	6:30 p.m.	TBS
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 5 Miami	7:15 p.m.	CBS
No. 6 Creighton vs. No. 15 Princeton	9 p.m.	TBS
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 3 Xavier	9:45 p.m.	CBS

 

2023 March Madness Sweet 16 Betting Tips
Men's College Basketball Playoffs Betting Predections and Analysis:

March Madness Odds & Predictions for Sweet 16 Betting Games
March Madness Parlay Picks & Lines for Sweet 16 Betting Games
March Madness Odds Updated for 2023 National Championship
NCAAM Sweet 16 Underdogs: Dark Horses to Survive and Advance

 

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