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The first three rounds (if you want to count the first one) of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament are in the books, and now we’re getting down to the real stuff. The Sweet 16 tips off on Thursday night and will yield a good amount of college basketball betting. We’ll preview both Thursday and Friday’s matchups and give our March Madness picks to help you make your final decisions on how you’ll be betting. Let’d get it started:
Thursday’s Games
(7) Wichita State vs. (3) Notre Dame
Notre Dame has made a nice run to the Sweet 16, but has done so by the skin of their teeth. Wichita State, on the other hand, was in full control in a big win over Kansas and is going to be determined to get a rematch with a Kentucky team that handed them their only loss of the 2014 season. If you’re looking for an upset this round, this is it.
Pick: Wichita State 82, Notre Dame 74
(4) North Carolina vs. (1) Wisconsin
This showdown just might hang on the knee of UNC’s best low post presence, Kennedy Meeks. The star big man sprained his knee in North Carolina’s win over Arkansas and is “doubtful” to suit up. I tend to favor toward Wisconsin, either way, as North Carolina looked sluggish in their first win and on the year hasn’t been overly impressive. The Badgers played better team ball at both ends and should pull away late.
Pick: Wisconsin 74, North Carolina 68
(5) West Virginia vs. (1) Kentucky
West Virginia might be the best chance yet to call for a Kentucky upset, as they’re among the nation’s leaders in both offensive rebounds and forced turnovers. That’s going to be pretty key in this matchup, considering Kentucky is awesome at both. I think WV can keep it close until late if they bring their best game, but Kentucky is just too stout down low. It’s going to take some real size and strength like a Wisconsin or Duke to take them down, and even that might not do it.
Pick: Kentucky 81, West Virginia 76
(6) Xavier vs. (2) Arizona
Xavier lasted two rounds longer than I thought they would, but their first game wasn’t a tough matchup and it’s arguable they lucked into a showdown with a Georgia State team that was probably in over it’s head a bit. Arizona is bigger and more athletic and also extremely balanced. Xavier can stick around if they dominate the glass like we know they can, but the Wildcats should prevail so they can get their rematch with the Badgers, who ousted them from the tourney last year.
Pick: Arizona 77, Xavier 70
Friday’s Games
(11) UCLA vs. (2) Gonzaga
The Bruins got a gift from the refs in their first win in the tourney, but left nothing to chance in a convincing win over UAB. While they look the part of a Cinderella, it’s not going to be easy to take down a very potent Gonzaga team that has put up 86 and 87 points so far. UCLA can match them offensively if they’re on, but the Zags carry the bigger stick on defense.
Pick: Gonzaga 84, UCLA 79
(8) N.C. State vs. (4) Louisville
Louisville looked terrible in their first tourney game and then looked great in taking down UNI in the third round. Some have them pegged as a legit Final Four contender, and I was one of them. After seeing N.C. State take down Villanova, though, it’s hard to go against the mojo of the Wolfpack. Wichita State may be your upset for Thursday, but N.C. State is the call for Friday.
Pick: N.C. State 69, Louisville 66
(5) Utah vs. (1) Duke
Utah has been on a fun run and will be a fan favorite to make a deeper run, but it looks like they could run into some trouble against Coach K’s group. Jahlil Okafor should prove to be far too much down low, while the Blue Devils as a whole are just a massive handful offensively.
Pick: Duke 81, Utah 76
(7) Michigan State vs. (3) Oklahoma
I really like what the Sooners have been able to do, but even as a #3 seed few probably actually thought they’d make it to the Sweet 16. Tom Izzo’s crew probably shouldn’t be here, either, but this one is all about coaching and pure, raw talent. The Spartans have the edge in both.
Pick: Michigan State 72, Oklahoma 70
