Sweet 16 Best bets: Top Selection and Expert Presents for March Madness

As exciting as the crowd in the first two rounds in the NCAA tournament can be, Sweet 16 takes it to another level with quality. Gone are the teams that were happy just to make the dance. When the competitive balance in the games rises, our “best bets” list also has.

The following are our best sweet 16 bets for Thursday and Friday’s play.

Sweet 16 Best bets: Thursday 27 March

BYU (+180) vs. Alabama (-5.5), O/U 174.5

Time: 19:09
Date: Thursday 27 March
Reporting: CBS
Odds via betmgm

With one of the most productive crimes in the game and one of the worst defenses, it has been difficult not to bet on when Alabama plays (over is 19-15-1). I know what you think: 174.5 is such a high number for a college basketball game.

Alabama games have had a total of 174.4 or more nine times this season; Over every 6-3 in these games.

BYU is on average about 81 points per match this season (no. 25). Although the defense is not ranked as low as Alabamas, it is also not impressive (no. 155, 71.4 ppg allowed). Both teams love to shoot three.

Our choice: These guys turn over in this game.

Arizona (+315) vs. Duke (-8.5), O/U 153.5

Time: 21:39
Date: Thursday 27 March
Reporting: CBS
Odds via Fanduel

Choosing this game feels almost like cheating. Nothing against Arizona; Wildcats have had a solid season and has proven to be an excellent team. They can set up some points (no. 17, 82.2 ppg) and are animals on the boards (no. 11 Returns per match, 40.08).

But they are just not in the same class as Duke.

Duke already beat Wildcats earlier in the season, 69-55. Yes, Arizona has improved significantly since then, but so does Duke. When healthy can get teams with Blue Devils, and Arizona is not one of them.

Our choice: Duke -8.5

Sweet 16 Best bets: Friday 28 March

Michigan (+330) against Auburn (-8.5), O/U 152.5

Time: 21:39
Date: Friday March 28
Reporting: CBS
Odds via Draftkings

Wolverines has been playing well so far. They took care of UC San Diego (68-65) even though many analysts considered them to be a primary upset candidate. Texas A&M favored in the second round, but aggies could not defend during the second half without burying.

But it will not be almost as easy against Auburn. The tigers are one of the best rebounding teams in the country, can drive the beat or hit from long reach and will not do almost as much as A&M did.

Michigan can keep it close during the first half, but I expect Auburn to lead with 10 at the break. Wolverines fights from the three -point line, so when the lead is expanding and they are forced to start throwing up three points it will be playing over.

Our choice: Auburn -8.5

Purdue (+290) against Houston (-7.5), O/U 132.5

Time: 22:09
Date: Friday March 28
Reporting: TBS/Trutv
Odds via betmgm

It can do for an interesting game when two teams with similar styles play each other. Both Purdue and Houston prefer to let their defenses lead the way while doing enough to win, which often results in low -poetry games.

This strategy received Purdue Past High Point in the first round and McNeese State in the second. Ditto for Houston, but with a significant difference: Cougars is so much better at it.

Houston has No. 1 defense in the country (58.4 points per allowed game). It has had 19 out of 34 opponents under that brand this season. At the offensive end, Cougars does not do much (no. 152, 74.5 ppg), but since they allow so much less, it does not matter what they do.

The other team will score less points.

Our choice: Houston -7.5