Sweet 16 SU March Madness Betting Picks

Posted by Joe Solari on Wednesday,March 23, 2016 4:19, EDT in

With the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in the books, college basketball betting enthusiasts will be eager to see what March Madness has to offer in the Sweet 16 games set to take place this week. Here is our sweeping look into the Sweet 16 games and SU NCAA Basketball betting picks to consider for this coming round of action.

Sweet 16 SU March Madness Betting Picks

#3 Miami vs. #2 Villanova

Miami and Villanova are tied at 3-3 SU and ATS in their all-time series, though the Hurricanes won the last meeting in 2004. Things have, however, changed a lot since then and the Wildcats are arguably the better team right now, something that can be avowed by their 31 wins on the season against Miami’s 27 victories. That, along with the fact that Villanova ranks better than Miami in both in points scored and allowed per game, makes the Wildcats our winning pick.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Villanova

 

#3 Texas A&M vs. #2 Oklahoma

Besides leading 6-4 SU in their last 10 meetings, the Aggies are an all-rounded team, as opposed to the Sooners who tend to be a bit too over-reliant on Buddy Hield. It won’t be easy stopping the in-form Hield, but we’ve seen enough of Texas A&M’s solid defense (allowing just 66 PPG on the season) to believe that, if the Aggies can put the clamps on the OU superstar and prevent the Sooners from getting too many open looks from downtown, they should be able to upset their way into the next round.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Texas A&M

 

#5 Maryland vs. #1 Kansas

Besides being arguably the most balanced team in the nation, the No. 1-seed Jayhawks are coming into this game on the back of the best run in the nation, having gone 14-1 SU in their last 15 games, making them an obvious pick for the win against the middling Terrapins (5-5 SU in their last 10 games) that have been a disaster waiting to happen since the NCAAB calendar hit March.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Kansas

 

#4 Duke vs. vs. #1 Oregon

These two teams have met just once in their history—in 2010 when Duke won 98-71—and many Blue Devil fans are hoping to go 2-0 on their rivals. The problem, however, is that Duke is having one of its toughest seasons and is just 6-4 SU in its last 10 games. Against the on-song Ducks that are riding hot into this Sweet 16 matchup on a 10-0 SU run, it would be illogical not to trust the top-seeded Oregon to beat the overrated Blue Devils.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Oregon

 

Friday, March 25

#4 Iowa State vs. #1 Virginia

As one of the hottest offensive teams in the Tournament, it is really tempting to hang on the Cyclones for an upset opportunity over Virginia. After all, Iowa State is 2-1 SU in the all-time series against Virginia. Unfortunately, Virginia’s nation-best defense is the real deal, and their offense has just been as good in Tournament so far (averaging nearly 80 PPG scoring). Added to the strong momentum they bring to this Sweet 16 game, the Cavs feel like the safest (and best) pick for the win in this clash.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Virginia

#7 Wisconsin vs. # 6 Notre Dame

Both Wisconsin and Notre Dame have been sputtering in their form this season, something that was punctuated by their scrappy wins in the Round of 32 games. Keeping that in mind, this game is likely to be as muddy as its gets in the March Madness, with the winner probably coming down to final plays of the game. And given the fact that close games tend to favor better defensive teams, I will go out on a limb and pick Wisconsin and its superior defense (allowing 63.88 PPG on the season) to eke out a close win here.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Wisconsin

#11 Gonzaga vs. #10 Syracuse

It’s not that Syracuse isn’t a good team, it is just that the Gonzaga Bulldogs are masters of playing and winning in the NCAA Tournament, as was showcased in their thorough dismantling of the No.3-seed Utah Utes in the Round of 32. So, however strong the Orange will try to hang here, the Zags should be more than capable of coming out on top eventually, most probably with another blowout win.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Gonzaga

#5 Indiana vs. #1 North Carolina

Yogi Ferrell and the underrated Hoosiers will be looking to make their mark against the tad overrated Tar Heels this Friday. No doubt, UNC is a well-coached team and nothing shows better for the Tar Heels than puckering to the pressure of Tournament. That said, UNC—just like powerhouses Duke and Kentucky—have been a bit shaky in big games, and nothing screams big than playing against the Hoosiers, winners of the Big Ten regular-season title. Of course, North Carolina’s class may eventually show, and it most likely will do, but I am inclined to trust the sharpshooting Hoosiers (2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS in their all-time meetings against UNC) to blow up the brackets with an upset win over the favored Tar Heels.

Sweet 16 SU NCAAB Pick: Indiana