Top NCAA Basketball Picks of the Week – March 19th

I have been watching March Madness tournaments for years and have to say that the 2018 version has been one of the most unpredictable to date. It was the first time ever that we saw a #16 team take out a #1 team in the opening round, leaving Virginia Cavaliers fans stunned and brackets busted. The opening week was filled with upset after upset, which takes us into Week 2 and the Sweet 16. We will be taking a much closer look at all the games to come in this round and beyond, but for now, let’s take a look at the Top NCAA Basketball betting picks of the Week for the Sweet 16.

Top NCAA Basketball Betting Picks of the Week – March 19th

Our man @WenyenGabriel is absolutely filling it up from behind the arc. He’s 17 for 28 from 3-point range over his last seven games, 60.7 percent. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sGWHngrj0H

— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) 19 de marzo de 2018

#9 Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kentucky Wildcats

• When: Thursday, March 22nd
• NCAA Basketball Betting Odds: Kentucky Wildcats -6

Just about everyone expected to see the Virginia Cavaliers in this spot, but a stunning opening-round loss to UMBC killed that. Instead, it is Kansas State who made it here after taking out Creighton to get things rolling, followed by a low-scoring win over UMBC. They will have their toughest outing yet against a Kentucky team that got hot at the end of the season and who have carried that momentum into the tournament. Kentucky started by sneaking past Davidson before totally blowing out Buffalo in the last round. I like Kentucky here in a close one. Score: Kansas State Wildcats 70 – Kentucky Wildcats 71

#3 Michigan Wolverines vs. #7 Texas A&M Aggies

• When: Thursday, March 22nd
• NCAA Basketball Betting Odds: Michigan Wolverines -3

The Wolverines came into the tournament on fire but are perhaps a little fortunate to still be alive. They negotiated the opening round without any problems but needed a buzzer beater to get past Houston in the last round. They will be going against a Texas A&M team that played well to hold off Providence in the opening round before totally destroying heavily favored UNC in the Round of 32. This is one of the more intriguing match-ups in the Sweet 16, and I like Michigan to move on. Score: Michigan Wolverines 69 – Texas A&M Aggies 65

#1 Villanova Wildcats vs. #5 West Virginia Mountaineers

• When: Friday, March 23rd
• NCAA Basketball Betting Odds: Villanova Wildcats -5.5

Of all the teams left in the tournament, it may well be Villanova who have looked the most impressive to this point. They have won both their games by an average of around 25 PPG and haven’t really been forced to break a sweat just yet. Their Sweet 16 match-up could prove to be a little tougher, though, as they will be going against a West Virginia Mountaineers team that has been dominant in their opening games, albeit against #12 and #13 seeds. Still, better teams than WV have fallen to lesser opponents, so the Mountaineers still deserve some credit for their efforts. I like Villanova to continue to roll. Score: Villanova Wildcats 82 – West Virginia Mountaineers 72

#3 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #2 Purdue Boilermakers

• When: Friday, March 23rd
• NCAA Basketball Betting Odds: Purdue Boilermakers -1.5

This side of the bracket had held pretty true to form, with both #1’s still alive, as well as some of the other favorites. That latter group would include Texas Tech and Purdue, a pair of teams set to go head to head in the Sweet 16. Tech outlasted SF Austin in the opening round before getting to Florida in a close one. Purdue blew out CS Fullerton to get things rolling and were made to work very hard for the win by Butler in the last round. This looks like one of the better match-ups of the Sweet 16 and I have Purdue winning a close one. Score: Texas Tech Red Raiders 68 – Purdue Boilermakers 73