Many are calling this a dream Sweet 16 in terms of talent and quality of basketball, which puts a lot of pressure on these teams to deliver at the right time of year. As we know, this tournament has lacked the dramatics overall—outside of maybe two or three games. So, the people are hungry for some madness this weekend!
Thursday's Games
Impact Players of the Tourney
BYU: G/F Richie Saunders & G Egor Demin
Alabama: G Mark Sears & F Clifford Omoruyi
Overview: We’ve got a shootout on our hands—don’t blink or you’ll miss six possessions. Both teams want to hit 100, but they may need 110 to win. The 3-point shot will be the key, as both teams live and die by it.
Best Bet: Alabama -4.5 (-110)
Prediction: Alabama 103, BYU 96
Impact Players of the Tourney
Maryland: F Derik Queen & G Ja’Kobe Gillespie
Florida: G/F Will Richard & G Walter Clayton Jr.
Overview: Two previews in, and I already can’t wait for these games. Both teams were tested in Round 2. If Florida can get Maryland into foul trouble, they’ll have a big advantage. Maryland’s guards will need to step up in this one.
Best Bet: Over 155.5 (-105)
Prediction: Florida 86, Maryland 84
Impact Players of the Tourney
Arizona: G Caleb Love & G Jaden Bradley
Duke: G Tyrese Proctor & F Cooper Flagg
Overview: The stretch for Duke to finally prove themselves begins here. The ACC hasn’t looked great in this tournament—can Duke beat four elite teams in a row? If Proctor keeps shooting like he has, the answer might be yes. Flagg’s ankle still makes me nervous, and Love’s ability to go off for 40 can’t be ignored.
Best Bet: Arizona +10.5 (-150)
Prediction: Duke 81, Arizona 73
Impact Players of the Tourney
Arkansas: G Johnell Davis & F Karter Knox
Texas Tech: F JT Toppin & F Darrion Williams
Overview: This one’s tough to predict. Texas Tech feels a lot like St. John’s—a team Arkansas just beat—but the key difference is that Tech can score much better. That ends up being the difference in this one.
Best Bet: Texas Tech -6.5 (-110)
Prediction: Texas Tech 76, Arkansas 67
Friday’s Games
Impact Players of the Tourney
Ole Miss: G Sean Pedulla & G Dre Davis
Michigan State: G Jaden Akins & G Jase Richardson
Overview: This one’s an upset alert for Michigan State. Ole Miss is rolling. We’ve got some really good guards going head-to-head here. Pedulla is the key—he’s been cool and confident all tournament.
Best Bet: Ole Miss ML +150
Prediction: Ole Miss 73, Michigan State 72
Impact Players of the Tourney
Kentucky: G/F Koby Brea & G Otega Oweh
Tennessee: G/F Chaz Lanier & G Zakai Zeigler
Overview: They say it’s tough to beat the same team three times in a season. Well, Kentucky will try to do just that. After sweeping the season series, they’ll look for one more to reach the Elite 8. It’s a classic offense vs. defense showdown. With Lamont Butler getting healthier, this Tennessee team is scary—but this one feels destined for overtime.
Best Bet: Kentucky +4.5 (-115)
Prediction: Kentucky 83, Tennessee 80 (OT)
Impact Players of the Tourney
Michigan: F Danny Wolf & G Roddy Gayle Jr.
Auburn: F Johni Broome & G/F Chad Baker-Mazara
Overview: Michigan is red hot. Their guard shooting—once a weakness—has now become a strength. If that holds, and paired with their bigs, Auburn could be in trouble. Broome will need to stay out of foul trouble, but Michigan is coming.
Best Bet: Michigan +9.5 (-118)
Prediction: Auburn 73, Michigan 69
Impact Players of the Tourney
Purdue: G Braden Smith & F Trey Kaufman-Renn
Houston: G LJ Cryer & F J’Wan Roberts
Overview: Purdue’s smooth path ends here. Houston’s defense and 3-point shooting will be too much to handle. If Purdue is going to pull this off, they’ll need 50 combined from Smith and Kaufman-Renn—and even then, it might not be enough.
Best Bet: Houston -8.5 (-102)
Prediction: Houston 73, Purdue 54
Here’s to hoping all eight games turn out to be all-time greats. The potential is definitely there, with most of the expected seeds making it through. I can see a few upsets happening, which of course, would give us the madness we’ve been waiting for.
Let’s just remember this—we’re at the point where there’s very limited basketball left until November. So enjoy every minute of it.
Bet of the Day
03-26
Oilers ML +114
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