NCAA Bracket 2018: Odds and Predictions for Sweet 16 Showdowns
Following a weekend in which upsets became a normal occurrence, it's hard to trust all of the favored teams in the Sweet 16.
Although your NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket is likely busted, there's still an opportunity to make money off some of the blue bloods of the sport on Thursday and Friday.
With only two teams favored to win by more than five points, you should be able to throw your trust behind a favorite to win straight up and cover.
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Even in the two occurrences in which the spread is wider, you can make an argument the favorites in those games are capable of covering.
Sweet 16 Schedule (Odds via OddsShark)
Thursday, March 22
No. 7 Nevada (-2) vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago (7:07 p.m., CBS)
No. 3 Michigan (-3) vs. No. 7 Texas A&M (7:27 p.m., TBS)
No. 5 Kentucky (-5) vs. No. 9 Kansas State (9:37 p.m., CBS)
No. 4 Gonzaga (-6.5) vs. No. 9 Florida State (9:59 p.m., TBS)
Friday, March 23
No. 1 Kansas (-4) vs. No. 5 Clemson (7:07 p.m., CBS)
No. 1 Villanova (-4.5) vs. No. 5 West Virginia (7:27 p.m., TBS)
No. 2 Duke (-11.5) vs. No. 11 Syracuse (9:37 p.m., CBS)
No. 2 Purdue (-1.5) vs. No. 3 Texas Tech (9:59 p.m., TBS)
All Times ET.
Thursday's Predicted Winners
Nevada, Michigan, Kentucky, Gonzaga
Although it might not be expected given the way the West and South have played out, the higher seeds should prevail in each of Thursday's four contests.
Despite using a small rotation and not leading for much of its first two Match Madness games, No. 7 Nevada will get past No. 11 Loyola-Chicago.
The intense style of play the Wolf Pack bring to the hardwood finally translates right away, as the Martin brothers, Caleb and Cody, and Jordan Caroline erupt for solid performances in front of a crowd in Atlanta with mixed rooting interests.
The crowd at Phillips Arena is expected to wear a lot of Kentucky blue Thursday night, and the trip from Lexington will be a successful one for John Calipari's Wildcats.
Freshman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the best players in the tournament to date, while the cast of other first-year players led by Kevin Knox produced a good amount of quality performances over the last month.
Bruce Weber's No. 9 Kansas State deserves plenty of credit for making an unlikely run to the Sweet 16, but if the Wildcats out of the Big 12 put in a performance like the one they showcased in the round of 32, they'll have a short stay in Georgia.
The top matchup of Thursday's slate comes from the opener in Los Angeles, as No. 3 Michigan faces No. 7 Texas A&M.
Moritz Wagner, who is Michigan's top paint threat, has a challenge and then some on his hands as he goes up against the Texas A&M frontcourt pairing of Tyler Davis and Robert Williams.
Although the Wolverines should experience a bit of difficulty in the paint, their guards will shoot the lights out and head coach John Beilein will have the perfect game plan in place defensively to put them through to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2014.
No. 4 Gonzaga is the heaviest favorite of Thursday's games, and there's a chance the well-rounded Bulldogs overwhelm No. 9 Florida State.
The Seminoles, who went 9-9 in the ACC and 3-4 against ranked opposition, face matchup nightmares across the court, as defending five players who average over 10 points per game, and a sixth who is just under a double-digit point total per contest, will prove to be too much to handle.
Friday's Predicted Winners
Kansas, Villanova, Duke, Purdue
It's hard to go chalk for all eight Sweet 16 contests, but we're willing to take the risk given the stature of the four predicted winners for Friday's games.
No. 1 Kansas faces a sneakily difficult game against No. 5 Clemson, who cruised past No. 12 New Mexico State and No. 4 Auburn in San Diego.
However, the big-game experience the Jayhawks have in the backcourt mixed in with the healing of Udoka Azubuike's knee should push Bill Self's team into the Elite Eight.
No. 1 Villanova and No. 2 Duke put together the best collection of performances from the first weekend, as they won both of their respective games by over 20 points.
Jay Wright's team bludgeons opponents to death from the three-point line, but it's also no slouch on the interior when the guards penetrate to open up space for the big men to knock down open jumpers and easy layups.
Although No. 5 West Virginia poses a matchup problem for most teams with its press, the Wildcats carry too much experience and poise in the backcourt to be affected by the unique defensive style of the Mountaineers.
Duke doesn't have a wealth of March Madness experience to rely on against another funky defense in No. 11 Syracuse's zone, but it carries a bevy of talent that should stretch the Orange thin.
With Marvin Bagley III or Wendell Carter Jr. posted up in the middle of the zone, and quick passing opening up shots for Gary Trent Jr., Grayson Allen and others, the Blue Devils should take care of business against their ACC rival, and they could cover the enormous 11.5-point spread as well.
Even without star center Isaac Haas in the lineup, No. 2 Purdue stands a good shot of knocking off No. 3 Texas Tech to set up a showdown with Villanova in the Elite Eight.
The Boilermakers proved in their second-round win over No. 10 Butler they are more than capable of winning without Haas, as they received contributions from a variety of role players, including Haas' replacement Matt Haarms.
Keenan Evans should help the Red Raiders stay in the contest, as should the experience gained from the tough Big 12 schedule, but look for the Boilermakers to make a few more key shots down the stretch to pull away.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.
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