Free NCAA College Basketball Sweet Sixteen Picks, Best Bets, and Parlays for 3/24/22

We are down to the Sweet Sixteen, with 2 games from the West Region in San Francisco, and 2 games from the South Region in San Antonio. The winners will advance to Saturday’s Regional Finals and an opportunity to make it into the Final Four. This is what we’ve been waiting for. So let’s analyze each game and see if we can get lucky and cash in on our bets. I don’t know how next weekend can top it, but I’m ready to find out.

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THURSDAYS GAMES:

6:09 Central Time- CBS

#4 Arkansas 27-8 vs. #1 Gonzaga 28-3 (-9.5) in San Francisco: This is a battle between two teams, who weren’t overly impressive in the first two rounds, but ultimately survived and made it into the Sweet Sixteen. And that is exactly what you are supposed to do. The Razorbacks beat Vermont 75-71 in the first round and then outlasted New Mexico State 53-48 to move one. Those are hardly impressive wins but it doesn’t matter; they are here. Meanwhile top-seeded Gonzaga struggled with Georgia State before pulling away to a 93-72 win in round 1, and then needing overtime to dispatch Memphis 82-78 to advance. Not dominant in any way; but still alive. This is going to be a battle between an Arkansas team, that went through a rigorous SEC schedule, and is thoroughly tested, and the Zags who play a much lesser slate of games. That’s what Gonzaga has to deal with every year. I like the Zags to win but I will be surprised if they cover this large spread that I think will be less by game time. PAPA DUDES BEST BET: Arkansas +9.5

8:39 Central Time- CBS

#3 Texas Tech 27-9 (-1) vs. #2 Duke 30-6 in San Francisco: The line says toss-up and so does everyone else. The Red Raiders had no trouble in their first game, as they trounced Montana State 97-62. Their 2nd game with Notre Dame went down to the wire, before they advanced with a 59-53 win over the Irish. The Dookies had no trouble with Cal-Fullerton winning 78-61 in game one, and then survived against Michigan State 85-76 to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. This is a matchup that all teams want to avoid; a Sweet Sixteen game against Duke. Texas Tech is a tough, physical team that will not be intimidated by anything Duke throws at them. They have seen it all, navigating their way through a Big 12 schedule. The Blue Devils obviously are well-coached, and know how to handle the pressures involved with this tournament. I question their physicality and toughness and am not impressed with their defense. I’m staying away from betting much at all on this one, because it is obviously a game that could go either way, but I’m sticking with the Red Raiders. PAPA DUDES PICK: Texas Tech -1

6:29 Central Time- TBS

#11 Michigan 19-14 vs Villanova 28-7 (-5) in San Antonio: Dudes Who Bet Sports Podcast viewers know how I feel about Michigan. They SHOULD NOT be in this tournament and I don’t care if they have won two games to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. A team with a 17-14 record DOES NOT deserve a bid when other teams won a lot more games (and that is what you are supposed to do), and are more deserving. But enough of that, the Wolverines are talented and everyone has known that all year long. They got a lucky first round draw and disposed of overseeded Colorado State 75-63. In Round 2, they were very impressive as they took down a red-hot Tennessee 76-68. Meanwhile, Villanova has methodically eliminated Delaware 80-60 and Ohio State 71-61 to remain alive. The Wildcats are well-coached, tournament tested, and very consistent. These are all things that winning teams have to have in order to keep advancing. I think the Cinderella run for Michigan ends tomorrow night. PAPA DUDES PICK: Villanova -5

8:59 Central Time- TBS

#5 Houston 31-5 vs. #1 Arizona 33-3 (-1.5) in San Antonio: This might be the best game of the night between these two high-powered teams. Houston has been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament in the first two rounds. They took care of a good UAB team in the first round 82-68, and on Sunday they demolished Illinois, the Big Ten regular season champion, 68-53. On the other hand, Arizona had trouble with Wright State in Round 1, and then were downright lucky against TCU winning in overtime 85-80. The results of the first two rounds are probably the reason for the small point spread. Houston is as well-coached as anyone, they play tenacious defense, and put on a clinic with their rebounding prowess. If they shoot the ball well, they are as good as anyone. The Wildcats are an excellent team and are worthy of all the praise they get. I question the overall quality of the Pac-12 and that could be a problem. I’m going to take Houston with a home court advantage of playing the game in San Antonio to pull off an upset. PAPA DUDES PICK: Houston +1.5