March Madness 2015: Bracket Predictions, Odds for Friday's Sweet 16 Schedule

The NCAA tournament field has been whittled down to just 12 teams and, unsurprisingly, it isn't any easier to make predictions about who's going to win games.

While the oddsmakers have determined clear favorites in two of Friday's matchups, action elsewhere is really a pick 'em situation.

2015 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Schedule for Friday
Matchup	TV	Start Time (ET)	Point Spread	Prediction
No. 2 Gonzaga vs. No. 11 UCLA	CBS	7:15 p.m.	Gonzaga (-8.5)	Gonzaga, 71-58
No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 8 NC State	TBS	7:37 p.m.	Louisville (-3)	NC State, 64-57
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 Utah	CBS	9:45 p.m.	Duke (-5)	Duke, 73-61
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Michigan State	TBS	10:07 p.m.	Michigan State (-1.5)	Michigan State, 68-64

*Odds via Odds Shark

Blue Devils Keep Rolling

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Considering the way No. 1 Duke easily dispatched Robert Morris and San Diego State by an average of almost 25 points, the Blue Devils would appear to be more than just a five-point favorite over Utah.

But the Utes' surprise run this deep into the tournament has been fueled mostly by a stifling defense that surrenders the 11th-fewest points per game in the country (56.9). They held Georgetown in the previous round to six fewer points than the Hoyas were used to scoring.

Defensive stoppers Delon Wright and Jakob Poeltl will be tasked with the unenviable assignment of slowing down Duke's highly efficient post offense, led by freshman phenom Jahlil Okafor, and they must do it while also continuing to carry the bulk of the scoring load for Utah.

Duke has won 14 of its last 15 games, is third in the country in offensive field-goal percentage and is just too hot right now. The Blue Devils won't be slowed by Utah.

Gonzaga Cruises

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Given its illustrious history, it's mind-boggling to think of UCLA as such an overwhelming underdog. Many wondered how they even got into the tournament at all, but leading scorers Norman Powell and Bryce Alford, and the fifth-seeded Bruins have acquitted themselves fine.

The rocket ride ends here, though. No. 2 Gonzaga is the other higher seed in the East Region moving on to the Elite Eight, and it won't be close. The Bulldogs, who only hold two losses on the season overall, continue to jell and have played some of their most consistent basketball during their current five-game winning streak. They have some of the best balance in the country and rank atop the nation in field-goal percentage (52 percent).

That has a lot to do with Kevin Pangos' five assists per game. He sets up his teammates on areas of the floor where it's very easy for them to score.

Kyle Wiltjer can get his own shot. The Kentucky transfer leads the team in scoring (16.7 points per game) and had 24 points as the Bulldogs caught fire last week in their blowout victory over Iowa.

Domantas Sabonis can score—he had 18 against Iowa—but his toughness on the boards is what most helped Gonzaga end its five-year run of failing to advance past the first weekend of the tournament.

N.C. State Continues Improbable Run

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

After Anthony "Cat" Barber made a profane comment about President Obama after the sophomore helped lead his team to the Sweet 16, it's clear that the Wolfpack don't care what anyone thinks, as long as they keep winning.

N.C. State already beat Louisville on Valentine's Day, and it's hoping to drop Rick Pitino's all-time record in the Sweet 16 to 11-2.

Barber is N.C. State's physical and emotional leader. Dana O'Neil of ESPN.com notes how Barber inspires the the rest of his team:

"

The sophomore point guard embodies the personality of this NC State team. He's a one-time top-flight recruit who has somehow managed to hold tight to his hunger, and the Wolfpack are a proud program loaded with talent that still believes it has something to prove.

"

N.C. State already knocked off No. 1 Villanova, and Barber—who is averaging 15.1 points, 4.1 assists and 2.3 turnovers in his last 12 games—is looking to slay another giant for the second straight weekend. Louisville, which has lost four of its last 10 games, hasn't demonstrated the kind of consistency it will take to fend off the Wolfpack.