Last Updated on March 23, 2022 4:33 pm by Erwin Noguera
The most important national university basketball tournament in the United States, the March Madness, which arouses great passions, enters defining stages, after finishing a first week full of emotions, leaving only 16 universities with options to be the successor of Baylor as March Madness champion. After the frenetic first weekend, with four days of matches from noon to midnight, there is a 3-day break to return to play matches in this event, the stage that is perhaps the most emblematic of the tournament, the Sweet Sixteen.
The Sweet 16, the regional semifinals that will give way to the matches to finally define the Final Four and that have a very special configuration, since surprises have been the order of the day, with Saint Peters like the cinderella until now being the third seed #15 to survive the first two rounds.
Upsets at this magnificent event have been constant with only one of the four bracket regions making it into the top four seeds, with three teams ranked 10th or worse still alive in the Sweet 16.
The universities classified to this Sweet 16 are:
- West Region: Gonzaga #1, Duke #2, Texas Tech #3, and Arkansas #4.
- Southern region: Arizona #1, Villanova #2, Houston #5 and Michigan #11.
- Eastern Region: Purdue #3, UCLA #4, North Carolina #8, and Saint Peter’s #15.
- Midwest Region: Kansas #1, Providence #4, Miami #10, and Iowa State #11.
Sweet 16: Arkansas vs. Gonzaga
When: Thursday, March 24, at 07:09 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Arkansas +375 / Gonzaga -500 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? CBS
The emotions of this Sweet 16 begin with the game between Gonzaga #1 and Arkansas #4, which will play this Thursday, March 24, 2022. Gonzaga hopes that this year their performance in this prestigious 2022 NCAA tournament will be better than in their last season, where they were the team to beat and, therefore, favorites to take the title of champions, they even reached the grand final undefeated, but, they lost against Baylor in a terrible way
While its rival, Arkansas, who has a record of 27-8, reaches this Sweet 16 for the second time in a row under the leadership of Eric Musselman. The Razorbacks have won 17 of their last 20 games after starting 0-3 in SEC play.
Arkansas vs. Gonzaga Betting Pick: Gonzaga
Sweet 16: Villanova vs. Michigan
When: Thursday, March 24, at 07:15 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Villanova -220 / Michigan +180 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? TBS / Sling TV.
#2 Villanova University meets #11 Michigan in this round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 this Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The favorite team for this matchup, Villanova, comes into this game with a 28-7 record and won their first two matches of the tournament with an excellent scoring average of 15. Villanova veteran coach Jay Wright is trying to find a fourth career Final Four appearance.
While their rival, Michigan, are present in this Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year, this is even due to the irregular game they showed with third-year coach Juwan Howard. The Wolverines defeated Tennessee 76-68 in the second round and made it to this stage of the tournament.
Villanova vs. Michigan Betting Pick: Villanova
Sweet 16: Arizona vs. Houston
When: Thursday, March 24, at 09:59 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Arizona -125 / Houston +105 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? TBS / Sling TV.
The game that will close the actions at the AT&T Center in San Antonio will be Arizona vs. Houston, which will be played this Thursday, March 24, 2022, after the end of the first game between Villanova and Michigan. Arizona, which starts as favorites to take this victory, will try to return to the Final Four for the first time since it did it in 2001. It should be noted that Arizona had not been able to be in the Sweet 16 since 2017.
On the other hand, Houston, despite having a good season, has not been at the level of Arizona. Regardless of this, Houston has shown that it continues to be one of the best teams in the NCAA since it is the third consecutive year that they have participated in this Sweet 16.
Arizona vs. Houston Betting Pick: Arizona
Sweet 16: Duke vs. Texas Tech
When: Thursday, March 24, at 09:39 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Duke -110 / Texas Tech -110 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? CBS
This Sweet 16 match between Duke and Texas Tech will be, without a doubt, the most closely fought and tightest that we can enjoy in this phase of the tournament. This is mainly due to the excellent season that both teams have been playing.
Texas Tech is a team that has a completely different approach to the game than Duke. Texas is a top-tier defensive team made up of experienced signings. While the Blue Devils have full confidence in all the young NBA lottery stars who have shown incredible potential and have shown one of the best offenses in the NCAA.
Duke vs. Texas Tech Betting Pick: Texas Tech
Sweet 16: St. Peters vs. Purdue
When: Friday, March 25, at 07:09 pm ET
Moneyline odds: St. Peters +625 / Purdue -950 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? CBS
Although we have the biggest surprise of this tournament, St. Peters in this Sweet 16, their first rival in this decisive phase of the tournament is none other than Purdue, one of the best NCAA basketball teams.
While St. Peters comes into this game with tremendous inspiration and spirit, Purdue’s level of play is infinitely higher, so expect a comfortable win from them. One of the main characteristics that Purdue has and that St. Peters does not, is without a doubt, the size, so, we are sure that they will implement a game in the paint to overwhelm their rival.
St. Peters vs. Purdue Betting Pick: Purdue
Sweet 16: Providence vs. Kansas
When: Friday, March 25, at 07:29 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Providence +285 / Kansas -345 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? TBS / Sling TV
Another game that we will enjoy in this Sweet 16 is this one between Providence and Kansas, which are ranked #1 and #4, respectively. This match will be played next Friday, March 25, 2022.
Kansas has always been seen as the favorite team to be in first place in the Midwest, which is why bookmakers consider Kansas to have an easy path to the next Final Four. Likewise, they will have Providence up against them, another team that has been playing at its best competitive level, and we know that nothing will be saved in these games since their dream of being in the Final Four is closer than ever.
Providence vs. Kansas Betting Pick: Kansas
Sweet 16: North Carolina vs. UCLA
When: Friday, March 25, at 09:39 pm ET
Moneyline odds: North Carolina +115 / UCLA -135 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? CBS
This game between North Carolina and UCLA will be another one that we will be able to fully enjoy and, even more, lovers of high-scoring games, since they are two of the best offenses in the country that will face each other this Friday, March 25, 2022, in the NCAA Basketball Sweet 16.
So far in this NCAA March Madness, North Carolina is averaging an excellent 94 points per game and has been one of the best offenses in the country. On the other hand, UCLA has not had the desired points performance in this tournament, since it scored 72 points against Saint Mary, after scoring only 57 points in its first game against Akron.
North Carolina vs. UCLA Betting Pick: UCLA
Sweet 16: Iowa State vs. Miami Florida
When: Friday, March 25, at 09:59 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Iowa State +130 / Miami Florida -150 (Source: MyBookie.ag)
Where Can I Watch? TBS / Sling TV
Finally, this round of the Sweet 16 will close with the Iowa State vs. Miami Florida matchup, which will be this Friday, March 25, 2022, after the end of the first game of the day at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.
Iowa State comes to this Sweet 16 after two excellent victories in this March Madness, the first against LSU with a score of 59-54 and the second against Wisconsin with a score of 54-49. On the other hand, Miami Florida defeated USC in the first round game with a score of 68-66, this being one of the best games of the day and, in their second game, they managed to crush Auburn, with a score of 79-61.
Iowa State vs. Miami Florida Betting Pick: Miami Florida
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