NCAA Men’s Championship Tournament: The Sweet 16

By Sam Batz

The NCAA Men’s championship tournament has reached the Sweet 16 which means exactly what it sounds like, 16 teams are still in championship contention. 64 teams entered, and after 4 days and 2 rounds of can’t miss college basketball, 48 teams were sent home, and only 16 remain. The Sweet 16 is the regional semifinals of March Madness and a win here sends you to the Elite Eight. The Sweet 16 is played all over the U.S and this year’s Sweet 16 will be played in Boston (TD Garden), Los Angeles (Crypto.com Arena), Dallas (American Airlines Center), and Detroit (Little Caesars Arena). 

Click here for a comprehensive list of who’s in the Sweet 16, including matchups and locations. Catch all the action from every Sweet 16 game on CBS and TBS, or the NCAA March Madness website. See the live bracket here, and visit OSB Sports for the latest odds on every March Madness matchup. 

March Madness Sweet 16 Matchups

Thursday, March 28th

• No. 6 Clemson vs. No. 2 Arizona

• • • 7:09 PM EST
    • CBS
    • Arizona -7.5 Favorite 

• No. 5 San Diego St. vs. No. 1 UConn

• • • 7:39 PM EST
    • TBS/truTV
    • UConn -10.5 Favorite

• No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 North Carolina

• • • 9:39 PM EST
    • CBS
    • North Carolina -4.5 Favorite

• No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 Iowa State

• • 10:09 PM EST
  • TBS/truTV
  • Iowa State -1.5 Favorite

Friday, March 29th

• No. 11 NC State vs. No. 2 Marquette

• • • 7:09 PM EST
    • CBS
    • Marquette -6.5 Favorite 

• No. 5 Gonzaga vs. No. 1 Purdue

• • • 7:39 PM EST
    • TBS/truTV
    • Purdue -5.5 Favorite

• No. 4 Duke vs. No. 1 Houston

• • • 9:39 PM EST
    • CBS
    • Houston -4.5 Favorite

• No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 2 Tennessee

• • 10:09 PM EST
  • TBS/truTV
  • Tennessee -2.5 Favorite

March Madness Sweet 16 Odds & Predictions

Thursday, March 28th Games:

• No. 6 Clemson (+240) vs. No. 2 Arizona (-305)

• • • The Wildcats are favored over the wildcats in their Sweet 16 matchup. Arizona is averaging 81.5 PPG, while Clemson is averaging 74.5 PPG. Both sides are giving up less than 70 opponent points per game, but as the more experienced side, Arizona has the edge. 
    • Prediction: Arizona Wildcats (-305)  

• No. 5 San Diego St. (+500) vs. No. 1 UConn (-700)

• • • The Aztecs looked great in their first two games but they face a giant in the Sweet 16. UConn is averaging 83 points per game and hasn’t given up more than 60 points across the first two rounds. The Huskies remain the top-dogs of the tournament, and they’ll avoid the upset in the Sweet 16.   

• Prediction: UConn (-700)

• No. 4 Alabama (+158) vs. No. 1 North Carolina (-190)

• • • Alabama was bounced in the Sweet 16 last year, but I’m calling an upset over No. 1 seed North Carolina. The Crimson Tide will eliminate the Tar Heels with their fast paced offensive attack that seems utterly fearless. UNC will be the first No. 1 seed eliminated from the tournament. 
    • Prediction: Alabama (+158) 

• No. 3 Illinois (+105) vs. No. 2 Iowa State (-125)

• • Take the Fighting Illini to upset the Cyclones. This is the best matchup of the regional semifinals, and with the spread set at 1.5 points, it could go either way but I’d take Illinois. Iowa State has a lot of pressure on them to win. Illinois wasn’t expected to make it very far, but they’re averaging 87 points per game and look like a true contender. 
  • Prediction: Illinois (+105) 

Friday, March 29th Games:

• No. 11 NC State (+228) vs. No. 2 Marquette (-285)

• • • I like the Wolfpack in another Sweet 16 upset over No. 2 Marquette. NC State is not your typical 11 seed, and as the only double-digit seed left they have nothing to lose. Marquette looked shaky against No. 10 Colorado and Golden Eagles are allowing 73 opponents points per game, and now face an NC State offense that’s averaging 47.5% from the field. 
    • Prediction: NC State (+228)                                                                    

• No. 5 Gonzaga (+185) vs. No. 1 Purdue (-225)

• • • No one believes in the Boilers but I have Purdue making it to the Elite Eight. Gonzaga is red-hot, but with 7’ 4” Center Zach Edey leading the way, the Boilermakers look unbeatable. Edey is averaging 26.5 points and 17.5 rebounds, and the Bulldogs won’t have an answer for Purdue’s big man.  

• Prediction: Purdue (-225)

• No. 4 Duke (+162) vs. No. 1 Houston (-195)

• • • Houston narrowly avoided the upset against Texas A&M, but the BPI’s top-ranked team was able to pull off the win and reach the Sweet 16. Duke has played well, averaging a +27.5 win margin in their first two games, but the Blue Devil’s won’t end Houston’s journey. The Cougars have a lot to lose, but they have experience and a great coach who will see them through to the Elite Eight. 
    • Prediction: Houston (-225) 

• No. 3 Creighton (+140) vs. No. 2 Tennessee (-165)

• • Creighton had a lot of trouble with No. 11 seed Oregon, and I think the Bluejays journey will end with a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee was bounced from the Sweet 16 last year by No. 9 seed FAU, and it just feels like the Vols are due. Creighton relies too much on the Three, which will come back to haunt them against a solid Tennessee defense. 
  • Prediction: Tennessee (-165) 

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