Now let’s dive into our latest Sweet 16 odds, picks, predictions and more for Thursday, including our best NCAA Tournament betting picks.
For more college basketball picks and predictions, make sure to check out our other college basketball articles and our college basketball betting tools!
Sweet 16 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Bets for Clemson-Arizona, Illinois-Iowa State & More
Clemson-Arizona Odds
Clemson: +250 | Arizona: -310
Clemson +7.5: -112 | Arizona -7.5: -108
Over 152.0: -112 | Under 152.0: -108
When: 7:09 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
Clemson-Arizona Sweet 16 Picks & Prediction
After losing their opening game in the ACC Tournament to Boston College, Clemson has now knocked off New Mexico and Baylor on their way to the Sweet 16. Similarly, Arizona fell to Oregon in the second round of the PAC12 Tournament and has now rattled off two straight wins over Long Beach State and Dayton.
An efficiency darling, Arizona ranks top ten in most key metrics, including adjusted offense, defense, and rebounding. Despite this, the Wildcats have still found ways to lose four games in quad two and another in quad three to an egregiously bad Oregon State team. As a team, they play well inside and out. The seven-foot Oumar Ballo protects the rim and grabs rebounds, while Caleb Love generates most of the offense.
With that said, this team still comes with weaknesses. Ballo struggles on the offense end and Love scores in streaks, shooting just 34% from three. Making matters worse, Arizona has failed to settle on a point guard between Kylan Boswell and Jaden Bradley. Clemson defends the interior at a top 50 clip, but sometimes can struggle on the perimeter. However, their best defender Jack Clark missed 11 games, depressing these numbers
As for Clemson, this team should have enough offensive firepower to hang with Clemson. They stand 34th in effective height, with PJ Hall, Ian Schieffelen, and Clark, RJ Godfrey, and Chauncey Wiggins all standing at least 6-7. They also have solid shooting metrics, led by veteran Joe Girard III shooting 41.5% from three. Arizona doesn’t have many defensive weaknesses, but they rank 116th defending the three.
Best NCAA Tournament Betting Picks & Prediction: Clemson +7.5 (-112) at DraftKings
Illinois-Iowa State Odds
Illinois: +104 | Iowa State: -125
Illinois +1.5: -110 | Iowa State: -1.5: -110
Over 145.5: -110 | Under 145.5: -110
When: 10:09 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via FanDuel
Illinois-Iowa State Sweet 16 Picks & Prediction
A pair of conference champions, Illinois faces Iowa State for a trip to the Elite 8. Illinois defeated a pair of double digit seeds in Morehead State and Duquesne to get here, while Iowa State beat South Dakota State and Washington State. Despite their recent successes, this sets up as a premier clash of styles.
On the Iowa State side, this team wins though their defense. They rank 46th on offense and second on defense. They force the second-most turnovers in the country, while sitting 48th in interior defense and 46th from the perimeter. Despite these metrics, Illinois sets up as a tricky matchup on defense for this team.
The Illini rarely turn the ball over on offense and play with a pair of bigger guards in Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask, who both stand 6-6. Illinois is 31st in effective field goal percentage, while Iowa State ranks 92nd. From there, Illinois also ranks 15th in offensive rebounding, which helps clean up their rare misses on the offensive end. Much of this comes through 6-10 Coleman Hawkins, who also shoots 38% from three. Given Illinois’ unique lineup, Iowa State could have more troubles guarding than the numbers indicate.
As for Illinois’ defense ranked outside the top 100, their biggest concern is defending the three. The Illini rank 207th in three point defense, while Iowa State comes in 82nd in three point shooting. However, they only have one player shooting better than 36% from three. Tamin Lipsey shoots 39% from beyond the arc, making him the primary player to stop. Altogether, Iowa State’s guards will be a disadvantage physically and athletically, making this an interesting game to take a shot on an underdog.
Best March Madness Pick & Prediction: Illinois +1.5 (-110) at FanDuel
San Diego State-UConn Odds
San Diego State: +455 | UConn: -625
San Diego State +11: -110 | UConn: -11: -110
Over 136: -108 | Under 136: -112
When: 7:39 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
San Diego State-UConn Sweet 16 Picks & Prediction
A rematch of last year’s National Championship, San Diego State and UConn meet again with an Elite 8 berth on the line. The top team in the country by many metrics, UConn defeated Stetson and an injured Northwestern team to get here. Meanwhile, San Diego State took care of business against a dangerous UAB team before facing lame duck Yale after Auburn faltered in the opening round.
An interesting matchup here, San Diego State will look to employ a slow pace and grind out this game. San Diego State has few advantages in this matchup, but they play slightly better perimeter defense and they generate more turnovers and fouls. Their best path to victory likely involves getting Donovan Clingan in foul trouble, while having an outlier shooting performance.
Most of that comes down to the play of Jaedon LeDee, while UConn has multiple paths to victory. Aside from Clingan’s dominate 7-2 rim protection, UConn has survived foul trouble with excellent bench play from Jaylin Stewart and Samson Johnson inside. The Huskies also rank 51st in three point percentage. Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban shoot 44% and 39% from three respectively, while Tristen Newton and Stephon Castle remain two of the better shot creators in the country.
Unlike UConn, San Diego State simply does not have the shooters to win this game. Lamont Butler, Micah Parrish, Darrion Trammell, and Reese Waters all shoot below 30% from three. With all of that said, the value of the point remains high here in a game with two teams outside the top 260 in adjusted pace. San Diego State played the 33rd most difficult schedule and defeated strong teams like Saint Mary’s, Gonzaga, and most teams within a strong Mountain West Conference. Backing them here feels uncomfortable, but they look like the sharp side.
Best NCAA Tournament Betting Picks & Prediction: San Diego State +11 (-110) at DraftKings
Alabama-North Carolina Odds
Alabama: +160 | North Carolina: -192
Alabama +4.5: -112 | North Carolina: -4.5: -108
Over 173.5: -110 | Under 173.5: -110
When: 9:39 p.m. ET
March Madness Odds via DraftKings
Alabama-North Carolina Sweet 16 Picks & Prediction
Alabama enters their Sweet 16 game against North Carolina after defeating a pair of mid-majors in Saint Mary’s and Grand Canyon. On the other side, North Carolina knocked off Wagner and Michigan State after an upset loss at the hands of NC State in the ACC Tournament.
The more complete team in this matchup, North Carolina ranks 19th in adjusted offense and 11th on defense. Conversely, Alabama ranks fourth on offense and 103rd on defense. Within their overall porous defense, Alabama has been particularly vulnerable inside, where they rank 200th. This looks problematic against an experience North Carolina frontcourt consisting of Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram.
Even if Alabama dedicates extra resources inside, North Carolina has a pair of experience guards in RJ Davis and Cormac Ryan that pose additional problems. North Carolina ranks 70th in three point percentage with Davis shooting 41% as an individual. Alabama ranks 29th in three point percentage themselves, but most of this flows through Mark Sears and a banged up Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
Overall, Alabama had allowed at least 80 points in eight straight games before facing a mid-major team in Grand Canyon. With North Carolina playing excellent defense, scoring 80 points should be enough for the Tar Heels to find a victory and a cover here.
Best NCAA Tournament Betting Picks & Prediction: North Carolina -4.5 (-108) at DraftKings
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