Welcome folks to the special edition Sweet 16 March Madness guide.
Here we will dissect the data gathered through the first two rounds of THE tournament of the year. From upset to Cinderella’s it was a very eventful start. Now though a pretty highly seeded field remains. Still a few teams remain that many did not foresee. Who will survive?
Clemson (+265) versus Arizona (-315)
The pick: Clemson
Starting things off with an upset a team void of a true star, but possessing the highest level of chemistry can be a very dangerous recipe for a long run in this tournament. Clemson is full of a team of players who all do enough. PJ Hall headlines them, but they are a tough task and hold a high chance to come across as an upset alert from ESPN on a device near you!
UConn (-650) versus San Diego State (+500)
The pick: UConn
The Aztecs have been an admirable foe, but just are not equipped with enough to down the one seed. They will try to make it ugly, but UConn has too much talent and skill on the court to get caught up in it.
Alabama (+170) versus North Carolina (-195)
The pick: North Carolina
My heart and soul has this one down to a simple formula. The basketball school beats the football school. This game will be close, but the Tar Heels have the DNA that makes them part of the elite in the elite 8.
Illinois (+105) versus Iowa State (-125)
The pick: Illinois
While not facing the toughest of the crop in the tournament field Illinois has been dominant. Iowa State has been solid, but I think the three seed has caught fire at the right time and is going to see this all the way into the elite 8. Shannon Jr will put up 30+ while shooting 50 percent or better from the field. Mark it down.
NC State (+250) versus Marquette (-300)
The pick: NC State
What can I say I love the dawg in the Cougars. A gritty 11 seed with the mindset they are the number one team in the field. I won’t deny that confidence. Marquette looked very vulnerable in the second half of the Colorado game. They better be golden from start to finish to survive this one.
Gonzaga (+195) versus Purdue (-225)
The pick: Gonzaga
I think the battle in the paint is much more even between Eddy and Ike and that makes Purdue more reliant on the three ball. Gonzaga on the other showed against KU that if you can’t stay on your mark consistently they will eat you alive with 2’s until you are down 20 like it was nothing. Watch out the Bulldogs are hot and will be boiling hot after downing the Boilmakers.
Duke (+165) versus Houston (-190)
The pick: Houston
Duke has glided and Houston almost gave away their ticket here, but in the end Houston is the better team. Not the flashier team. Not the media team. Yet the better team. The Blue Devils leave feeling blue and Houston takes their Texas sized hearts for the game into the Elite 8.
Creighton (+120) versus Tennessee (-140)
The pick: Tennessee
I volunteer to own this pick regardless the outcome. I like this matchup a lot, but feel that Tennessee will do enough to move on. They beat a solid Texas team and look to put on an even more convincing performance over Creighton.
Phelan The Parlay
My Best Three Leg Parlay: Gonzaga, Houston, and NC State (+1476)
Thank y’all for taking the time to read my take on the Sweet 16 portion of the glorious March Madness bracket. It’s bound to be an eventful couple days. Where dreams are made and one mistake could haunt you forever. Remember to give these kids some love regardless the outcome as they are putting all they got out there on the court. As always stay safe and good luck!
