2019 March Madness Sweet 16 Betting Predictions.

2019 March Madness Sweet 16 Betting Predictions

Has this been a chalk NCAA Tournament or what? In the Round of 32, all 16 NCAA Betting favorites won straight up. That had never happened in tourney history. Will we see any upsets in the Sweet 16? Here are two we think are possible with March Madness odds.

Sweet 16 Bracket: Printable March Madness Bracket 2019

2019 March Madness Sweet 16 Betting Predictions

No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 2 Tennessee (-1)

  • When: Thursday, 7:29 PM ET (TBS)

Purdue has been quite impressive in wins over Old Dominion and defending national champion Villanova – the Boilers crushed the Wildcats 87-61 on Saturday. Carsen Edwards (42 points) established a school record with nine 3-pointers. Purdue’s 26-point advantage against Villanova was the Wildcats’ worst loss in NCAA tournament history. After recording a subpar 0.94 points per possession against Old Dominion, Purdue exploded with a 1.38 PPP and 53 percent clip from the 3-point line.

It was the second-largest margin of victory over a defending national champion in NCAA Tournament history (1990; Loyola Marymount 149, Michigan 115). The win was Purdue’s first against a defending national champion since beating Michigan twice during the 1989-90 season (Michigan was the champ in 1989).

Purdue has reached it’s third straight Sweet 16, the second time in school history with three straight Sweet 16 berths (1998-2000) … the Boilermakers are one of four teams to make three straight Sweet 16s (Purdue, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Michigan).

Edwards’ 42 points were the second-most by a Big Ten player in NCAA Tournament history (44 by Purdue’s Glenn Robinson vs. Kansas; 1994). His 42 points are the most in NCAA Tournament history against a defending national champion. Edwards surpassed 800 points this season and is now ranks third on the school’s single-season points list with 803. His nine 3-pointers tied for the third-most in the NCAA Tournament’s first, second or third rounds in NCAA history.

Tennessee squandered a 25-point lead in its eventual 83-77 overtime win against Iowa in the second round on Sunday. Had the Hawkeyes won that game, it would have tied the record for the greatest comeback in NCAA tournament history. The Volunteers are 31-5 overall and ranked No. 6 in the country. Tennessee has five players averaging in double figures, led by two-time SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams (18.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.1 APG).

These teams are meeting for the second straight year after Tennessee defeated Purdue 78-75 in overtime in the opening round of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis.

No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 2 Michigan (-2)

  • When: Thursday, 9:39 PM ET (CBS)

Texas Tech is the nation’s top defensive team by a few ratings and that showed in a 76-58 rout over No. 6 Buffalo in the Round of 32. The Bulls were held 30 points below their season average. Tech’s defense held the Bulls to 0-for-9 shooting to start the second half before they would make their first shot eight minutes into the half. By that time, the Red Raiders owned a 53-30 lead.

Norense Odiase established a new Texas Tech tournament record by securing 15 rebounds and added a season-high 14 points. The 15 rebounds were a career-high and is the sixth time this season he’s recorded 10 or more rebounds. Star Jarrett Culver produced his fifth double-double of the season by leading the Red Raiders with 16 points and having 10 rebounds. Culver will be a very high 2019 NBA draft pick.

Michigan is not a safe 2019 March Madness Sweet 16 Betting Pick.

The 28 wins by the Red Raiders are now the second most in a season in program history behind only the 1995-96 team that went 30-2 and advanced to the Sweet 16. The program returns to the NCAA Sweet 16 round for the second straight year and for the fourth time in program history (1996, 2005, 2018, 2019) since the tournament expanded to 64 teams.

Michigan is in a third straight Sweet 16. It routed Florida 64-49 in the Round of 32. The Wolverine defense held Florida Gators to just 28.6 percent shooting in the second half and 34.5 percent for the game. Sophomore Jordan Poole had a big game on the offensively, scoring 19 points and draining four three-pointers, while Isaiah Livers also tallied a double-digit effort with 10 points. Michigan saw balanced scoring as senior Charles Matthews and sophomore Zavier Simpson scored nine each and junior Jon Teske netted eight. In all, Michigan used 34 points in the paint and 11 off turnovers to secure its victory over Florida.

It’s the third time in school history UM has made the Sweet 16 three straight years: Also the Cazzie Russell era (1964-66) and Fab Five teams (1992-94). The Wolverines reached last year’s national title game after holding their first five opponents in the NCAA tournament to an average of 58.6 points and relying on a defense that ended the season ranked third overall on KenPom. This season’s team, on a per-possession measurement, is even better.

Expert March Madness Betting Picks

We’re rolling with both underdogs to win outright.


2019 March Madness Expert Betting News