🏀 March Madness Predictions Thursday: Expert Picks & Odds for Sweet 16
The first set of Sweet 16 games tips off tonight, with No. 2 seed Purdue and No. 11 seed Texas starting the action at 7:10 p.m. ET, and our March Madness predictions for Thursday breakdown all four games on the slate.
With four Elite Eight berths on the line tonight, our March Madness bracket predictions expect at least two underdogs to keep it close in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
🕒 Thursday's March Madness schedule
Today's Sweet 16 slate:
| Favorite | Underdog | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| (2) Purdue -7.5 | (11) Texas | 7:10 p.m. ET | SAP Center at San Jose (San Jose, Calif.) |
| (4) Nebraska -1.5 | (9) Iowa | 7:30 p.m. ET | Toyota Center (Houston) |
| (1) Arizona -8.5 | (4) Arkansas | 9:45 p.m. ET | SAP Center at San Jose (San Jose, Calif.) |
| (2) Houston -3.5 | (3) Illinois | 10:05 p.m. ET | Toyota Center (Houston) |
🔎 March Madness predictions: Thursday's Sweet 16
Check out the latest March Madness odds and Final Four odds.
Texas vs. Purdue odds & predictions
Texas vs. Purdue prediction: Purdue -6.5
"Purdue is D-I’s most efficient offense and figures to have several advantages over a Longhorns defense that allowed 88.8 points per game in losses during a late-season 1-5 stretch. It’s also hard to overlook that Purdue returned 86% of its scoring from last year’s Sweet 16 team." - via Mike Spector
Iowa vs. Nebraska odds & predictions
Iowa vs. Nerbaska prediction: First half Under 63.5
"These two teams have already played twice, averaging 58.5 total points in the first half. They should be plenty familiar with each other in the third installment, particularly since they last faced off in the regular-season finale on March 8." - via Shane Thurston
Arkansas vs. Arizona odds & predictions
Arkansas vs. Arizona prediction: Arkansas +8.5
"Arizona’s physical dominance was on display in its win over Utah State, as it outrebounded the Aggies 54-to-26 and attempted 28 more free throws. But pessimists will say the Wildcats should’ve won by more than 12 given those disparities, and Utah State even had the game within five points late." - via Mike Spector
Illinois vs. Houston odds & predictions
Illinois vs. Houston prediction: Illinois +3.5
"The battle of the game is Illinois' No. 2 adjusted offensive efficiency against Houston's No. 4 adjusted defensive efficiency. A big thing working in the Fighting Illini's favor is their ability to create extra chances. Their offensive rebound rate of 39.2% ranks third in the country, while Houston's defensive rebounding (30.1%) is slightly below the national average." - via Shane Thurston
🏀 March Madness game predictions: Sweet 16
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.
| East Region | West Region | South Region | Midwest Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's vs. Duke (3/27) | Texas vs. Purdue (3/26) | Iowa vs. Nebraska (3/26) | Alabama vs. Michigan (3/27) |
| Michigan State vs. UConn (3/27) | Arkansas vs. Arizona (3/26) | Illinois vs. Houston (3/26) | Tennessee vs. Iowa State (3/27) |
📅 March Madness key dates
Selection Sunday: March 15First Four: March 17-18 (Dayton, Ohio)First round: March 19-20Second round: March 21-22- Sweet 16: March 26-27
- Elite Eight: March 28-29
- Final Four: Saturday, April 4
- National championship game: Monday, April 6
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