🏀 Best March Madness Player Props Today: Sweet 16 Picks & Odds for Thursday (March 26)
With the Sweet 16 tipping off tonight, we've gathered all of our experts' best March Madness player props today for the four-game Thursday slate beginning at 7:10 p.m. ET. Our college basketball experts have broken down their three best player prop picks for each game, and we're highlighting the best bets below as part of our March Madness predictions for every game in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
🏀 Best Texas vs. Purdue player prop picks (7:10 PM ET, CBS)
| Player | Prop pick | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Braden Smith, G, Purdue | Over 1.5 3-pointers made (+140) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Oscar Cluff, C, Purdue | Over 8.5 rebounds (−112) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dailyn Swain, G, Texas | Over 4.5 assists (+125) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Here’s why Mike Spector thinks Braden Smith will hit at least two 3-pointers against Texas tonight:
“Purdue shot 58% from 3-point range over its first two NCAA Tournament wins. That’s the fourth-best shooting mark through two games in nearly 20 years of March Madness, and it was the Boilermakers’ best two-game stretch of 3-point shooting all season. With Texas likely concerned about Smith operating in pick-and-roll, I expect it to sag off and let him fire away from deep.”
Spector dives further into this matchup with his Texas vs. Purdue player props, including an edge on the boards for Oscar Cluff and a plus-money play on Dailyn Swain’s assists.
🏆️ Who wins Texas vs. Purdue?
Mike Spector backs Purdue to cover as a 6.5-point favorite in his Texas vs. Purdue prediction, backing the nation's most efficient offense against a Texas defense that allowed nearly 90 points per game in losses down the stretch.
🏀 Best Iowa vs. Nebraska player prop picks (7:30 PM ET, TBS)
| Player | Prop pick | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pryce Sandfort, F, Nebraska | Over 4.5 rebounds (−139) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa | Under 8.5 reb + ast (+100) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sam Hoiberg, G, Nebraska | Under 5.5 assists (−125) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Here’s why Shane Thurston is backing Pryce Sandfort to grab at least five boards against Iowa tonight:
“Nebraska will do its best to force 3-pointers and limit second-chance opportunities. That philosophy has led to forward Pryce Sandfort clearing this rebound line in seven of his previous eight games, including a six-rebound effort against Iowa in the regular-season finale. Sandfort is averaging 4.9 rebounds per game, clearing this mark in 18 of his 34 games this year. This is a favorable matchup for his rebounding production, as Iowa ranks 172nd in offensive rebound rate.”
Thurston dives further into this matchup with his Iowa vs. Nebraska player props, including fades on both Bennett Stirtz’s rebounds-plus-assists combo line and Sam Hoiberg’s assist total.
🏆️ Who wins Iowa vs. Nebraska?
Shane Thurston predicts a one-point Nebraska win in a classic defensive grind in his Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction, loading up on first-half Unders as both teams play at a glacial pace (Iowa 361st, Nebraska 231st in adjusted tempo).
🏀 Best Arkansas vs. Arizona player prop picks (9:45 PM ET, CBS)
| Player | Prop pick | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas | Under 6.5 assists (−140) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Brayden Burries, G, Arizona | Under 17.5 points (+105) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Trevon Brazile, F, Arkansas | Over 1.5 3-pointers made (+124) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Here’s why Spector is fading Darius Acuff Jr.’s assist numbers against Arizona tonight:
“Arkansas has averaged 95.5 points per game in two NCAA Tournament wins. But while the Razorbacks padding their stats starting with 28 combined dunks and layups in a win over Hawaii, they should get nowhere as close to the rim on a consistent basis against Arizona. The Wildcats have allowed 80 or fewer points in 12 consecutive games. The Razorbacks have scored 80 or fewer points in seven games this season, and Darius Acuff Jr. has not topped six assists in any of those games.”
Spector dives further into this matchup with his Arkansas vs. Arizona player props, including a plus-money fade on Brayden Burries’ scoring line and a Trevon Brazile 3-pointer prop.
🏆️ Who wins Arkansas vs. Arizona?
Mike Spector backs Arkansas +8.5 in his Arkansas vs. Arizona prediction, leaning on John Calipari’s best-in-the-tournament ATS record (9-3-1) as an underdog and the Razorbacks’ ability to pick-and-roll Arizona’s defense to death.
🏀 Best Illinois vs. Houston player prop picks (10:05 PM ET, TBS)
| Player | Prop pick | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| David Mirkovic, F, Illinois | Over 7.5 rebounds (−139) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois | Over 3.5 assists (−125) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Emmanuel Sharp, G, Houston | Under 2.5 3-pointers (−110) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Here’s why Thurston is backing David Mirkovic to grab at least eight boards against Houston tonight:
“Illinois ranks third in the nation with an offensive rebound rate of 39.2% and 32nd on the other end with a defensive rebound rate of 26.8%. Freshman forward David Mirkovic could play a big role in the Fighting Illini’s ability to hold their own on the glass. He leads the team with an offensive rebound rate of 10.4% and a defensive rebound rate of 20%. He’s averaging 7.9 rebounds per game this season, clearing this line in 16 of his 34 games. With this rebound prop as high as 8.5, I love scooping up the value at Caesars.”
Thurston dives further into this matchup with his Illinois vs. Houston player props, including a bargain-priced Keaton Wagler assist prop and an Emmanuel Sharp 3-pointer fade.
🏆️ Who wins Illinois vs. Houston?
Shane Thurston backs Illinois +3.5 in his Illinois vs. Houston prediction, calling this a coin-flip game where the Fighting Illini’s third-ranked offensive rebound rate is the equalizer against Houston’s elite defense.
🏀 March Madness Sweet 16 predictions & previews
See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.
| Game predictions | Player prop picks |
|---|---|
| Texas vs. Purdue prediction | Texas vs. Purdue player props |
| Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction | Iowa vs. Nebraska player props |
| Arkansas vs. Arizona prediction | Arkansas vs. Arizona player props |
| Illinois vs. Houston prediction | Illinois vs. Houston player props |
| St. John’s vs. Duke prediction | St. John’s vs. Duke player props (coming soon) |
| Michigan State vs. UConn prediction | Michigan State vs. UConn player props (coming soon) |
| Alabama vs. Michigan prediction | Alabama vs. Michigan player props (coming soon) |
| Tennessee vs. Iowa State prediction | Tennessee vs. Iowa State player props (coming soon) |
More Sweet 16 expert picks
- March Madness survivor picks for Sweet 16, Elite Eight
- March Madness second chance bracket picks & predictions
- March Madness odds & best bets entering Sweet 16
- Final Four odds, best bets & sleepers entering Sweet 16
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
