NCAA Sweet 16 Games to Bet
NCAA Sweet Bets
The first weekend of the NCAA Tournament brought fans numerous close contests and a handful of upsets. We saw just the third 15-seed (Saint Peter's) advance to the Sweet 16 since the field was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. We have another solid slate of matchups to dive into in the second weekend of action. The early betting lines are out, and we've identified a few games we want to jump on early.
See all NCAA Basketball Odds Here
#3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (27-9) vs. #2 Duke Blue Devils (30-6) - 9:40 p.m. EST (Thursday)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders clash with the Duke Blue Devils for a chance to advance to the Elite 8 and one game closer to a national title. Texas Tech defeated Montana State (97-62) and Notre Dame (59-53) to get here. To advance, the Blue Devils took down Cal State Fullerton (78-61) and Michigan State (85-76).
Texas Tech has been to the Sweet 16 eight times in the school's history, including four years in a row. A win over Duke would give the Red Raiders their third Elite 8 appearance since 2018. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski is coaching his final season at Duke and has the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 for the 32nd time in school history. Duke has been to the Elite 8 22 times, their last appearance in 2019.
It will be a storybook ending to a Hall of Fame career if the Blue Devils hoist the title trophy in New Orleans. However, the Red Raiders present a challenge for Duke's offense, with one of the nation's top defenses. Texas Tech leans on that defense and ends Coach K's illustrious coaching career.
Betting Pick: Texas Tech Red Raiders -1
#5 Houston Cougars (31-5) vs. #1 Arizona Wildcats (33-3) - 10 p.m. EST (Thursday)
The final game on Thursday gives fans the Houston Cougars challenging the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats. Houston advanced to the second weekend with wins over UAB (82-68) and Illinois (68-53), while the Wildcats defeated Wright State (87-70) and TCU in overtime (85-80).
Houston advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 13th time in school history and the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars moved to the Elite 8 last year, the first time back since 1984. Houston has six appearances in the Elite 8 all-time. Tommy Lloyd's first season as the head coach of the Wildcats isn't going too bad. Arizona is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017 and 20th in school history. The Wildcats aim to get back to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2015.
Houston has the edge at coach and pieces of a 2021 roster that made it to the Final Four. Arizona is a talented team, but the Cougars can match the Wildcats' athleticism with their skilled players.
Betting Pick: Houston Cougars +1.5
#15 Saint Peter's Peacocks (21-11) vs. #3 Purdue Boilermakers (29-7) - 7:10 p.m. EST (Friday)
The Cinderella Story of the 2022 tournament is none other than the run by the 15-seed Saint Peter's Peacocks, and now they get to test their play against the Purdue Boilermakers. Saint Peter's has triumphed over Kentucky in overtime (85-79) and Murray State (70-60). Purdue owns wins against Yale (78-56) and Texas (81-71).
Saint Peter's is one of the final 16 teams in the tournament for the first time in school history. This is the program's fourth time in the tournament. The Peacocks own the nation's longest winning streak at nine games. In the last ten years, the Boilermakers are in their 13th Sweet 16 and fourth. Purdue's made it to the end of the weekend five times in the program's history, the last in 2019.
The Peacocks story stole the headlines last weekend and grew their fanbase exponentially heading into the second week. While their story has been great to follow, the Boilermakers present a matchup nightmare for Saint Peter's, and the final square will reflect it.
Betting Pick: Purdue Boilermakers -12.5
#4 Providence Friars (27-5) vs. #1 Kansas Jayhawks (30-6) - 7:30 p.m. EST (Friday)
Our final targeted contest gives us the Providence Friars against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Midwest Regional. Providence took down South Dakota State (66-57) and Richmond (79-51) to move on, while Kansas blew out Texas Southern (83-56) and narrowly escaped Creighton (79-72).
Providence returned to the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time and is back in the Sweet 16 for the sixth time and first since 1997. The four of those previous five times to the Sweet 16, the Friars have advanced to the Elite 8. The Jayhawks' journey for their fourth school title continues with their 31st Sweet 16 appearance. If Kansas can pull out the victory, they will be headed to its 23rd Elite 8.
Kansas has the talent to beat any team remaining in the tournament, and the Friars will have their hands full with the Jayhawks. Providence will keep it close, but the talent disparity between these two squads will be on display late in the second half.
Betting Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -7
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
