NCAA Brackets 2013: Updated Odds and Predictions for Sweet 16

The 2013 NCAA tournament has been a fascinating event thus far and only looks to get more intriguing.

Now that the field has been narrowed down and the Sweet 16 is ready to be played, the contenders are looking to separate from the pretenders and make a run through the Elite Eight and into the Final Four by the time this coming weekend reaches its conclusion.

Of course, the sportsbooks have not only set lines for each impending matchup, but they've also updated the odds on each school’s chances of winning the national title.

Let’s take a look at those latest odds and point spreads and make some predictions on how the Sweet 16 will shake out.

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Odds to Win 2013 NCAA Tournament

*Via TopBet

Louisville +300

Indiana +400

Florida +500

Ohio State +500

Miami +600

Duke +650

Kansas +800

Michigan +1000

Michigan State +1200

Syracuse +1400

Arizona +1800

Marquette +3500

Wichita State +4000

Oregon +5000

La Salle +7500

Florida Gulf Coast +7500

Schedule and Lines

*All times ET, Odds via VegasInsider.

Matchup	Date	Start Time	TV	Odds
(3) Marquette vs. (2) Miami (FL)	Thursday, Mar. 28	7:15 p.m.	CBS	Miami -5.5
(6) Arizona vs. (2) Ohio State	Thursday, Mar. 28	7:47 p.m.	TBS	Ohio State -4
(4) Syracuse vs. (1) Indiana	Thursday, Mar. 28	9:45 p.m.	CBS	Indiana -5.5
(13) La Salle vs. (9) Wichita State	Thursday, Mar. 28	10:17 p.m.	TBS	Wichita St. -4
(12) Oregon vs. (1) Louisville	Friday, Mar. 29	7:15 p.m.	CBS	Louisville -10
(4) Michigan vs. (1) Kansas	Friday, Mar. 29	7:37 p.m.	TBS	Michigan -2
(3) Michigan State vs. (2) Duke	Friday, Mar. 29	9:45 p.m.	CBS	Duke -1.5
(15) Florida Gulf Coast vs. (3) Florida	Friday, Mar. 29	10:07 p.m.	TBS	Florida -13

Predictions

Florida Gulf Coast Advances

The FGCU Eagles have been the biggest surprise of the 2013 tournament, shocking the Georgetown Hoyas and San Diego State Aztecs in back-to-back games.

Now that they’ve become the first 15th seed to advance to the Sweet 16, they’ll look to push their names further into the history books by chopping down Florida and breaking through to the Elite Eight.

Don’t think for a second that this team can’t accomplish that goal, as it has the frenetic style of play, elite coaching staff, the proper personnel and, perhaps most importantly, the willpower to get it done.

While Florida will be by far the toughest opponent the Eagles have faced thus far, they are certainly beatable and that should be the case on Friday night.

 

A No. 1 Seed Falters

After Gonzaga bowed out in the round of 32, Kansas, Indiana and Louisville are the three remaining No. 1 seeds in March Madness. By the time the Elite Eight tips off this weekend, we predict there will only be two top seeds left.

The most likely to fall is Kansas, as they have a tough matchup against the fourth-seeded Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines have looked like the best team in the tourney and will be practically impossible to oust if they bring their "A-game".

These Jayhawks haven’t been without their fair share of scares to open the Big Dance either, narrowly edging Western Kentucky in the first game and needing a big run to eliminate an undersized UNC squad in the third round.

Considering UM is the favorite, we’d be surprised if Kansas was somehow able to pull out a win here—despite their No. 1 seeding going into the tournament.

 

Ohio State Makes Statement

The Buckeyes barely edged the Iowa State Cyclones in the round of 32, but had some questionable calls go their way and saw star PG Aaron Craft hit a huge three-pointer to ice the game.

There has been talk that this team is lucky to even be participating on Thursday against Arizona, providing coach Thad Matta’s team with plenty of bulletin board material and motivation heading into the showdown.

OSU is arguably one of the most complete teams in this field, complete with a legit superstar and top defender in Craft, the Big Ten’s leading scorer in Deshaun Thomas and a host of role players that contribute at a high level on a nightly basis.

While the Wildcats present a tough opponent to overcome, we believe that the Buckeyes wind up destroying them and make a statement on their way into the Elite Eight.

Expect Ohio State to win this one by at least 10 points and blow the game wide open a few minutes into the second half.

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