Sweet 16 Predictions: Houston, Marquette ATS Bets in South
Top seeded Houston is a sizable favorite to win the South Region and make the Final Four in the NCAA Basketball odds. Let’s take a look at the South and our NCAAB basketball predictions today for the region featuring Houston, Marquette, Duke and North Carolina State.
Houston sits at -105 in the odds to win the South followed by No. 2 Marquette at +225. Duke is also viewed as a Final Four contender at +350. Vegas is more skeptical about No. 11 NC State, which is a distant fourth in the odds at +1400.
Let’s take a look at the Sweet 16 matchups and our NCAA basketball predictions today for the South Region.
Houston (-4) vs Surging Duke
Duke may be playing much better basketball once the NCAA Tournament tipped off, but the Blue Devils are still 4-point underdogs versus Houston. The over-under is set at 134 ½ points, the lowest total of any Sweet 16 game.
Duke has rewarded bettors this season. The Blue Devils are 20-14 against the spread in the NCAA basketball odds.
Houston has not been as profitable, going 17-17-2 ATS. The Cougars have been favored in every game this season, going 32-4 straight up. Duke is 0-2 as an underdog this season.
Both teams have trended toward the under this year. Duke has hit the under in 21 games, with the over cashing on 13 times. Houston has gone over the total 16 times while the under hit in 20 games.
Duke is surging after a 38-point blowout win over No. 12 James Madison. It is fair to point out the Blue Devils have not had the most difficult path to the Sweet 16.
Duke defeated JMU as well as No. 13 seed Vermont. Blue Devils guard Jared McCain had the standout performance of the Duke tourney so far with 30 points and five assists versus James Madison.
Houston Stars Surprise With Scoring in NCAA Tournament
Houston was not fazed against No. 16 Longwood in the opening round but faced a much tougher test in the next round versus No. 9 Texas A&M. The Cougars needed overtime to come away with the 100-95 victory over the Aggies.
The Houston Cougars outlast Texas A&M in a March Madness thriller to qualify for a Sweet 16 matchup on Friday against Duke 🔥pic.twitter.com/KQDvPlmLzZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 25, 2024
Houston’s standout trio all topped 20 points versus Texas A&M. Emanuel Sharp dropped 30 points while Jamal Shead had 21 points and 10 assists. LJ Cryer also contributed 20 points.
NC State Does Not Look Like Cinderella
NC State has the distinction as the lone double-digit seed remaining in the tournament. This chalky Sweet 16 comes one year after none of the No. 1 seeds made the Final Four.
Do the Wolfpack count as Cinderella? Not in the traditional sense as NC State played in the ACC and needed to win the conference tournament to advance. It still does not take away from NC State’s improbable run.
The Las Vegas odds are stacked against the Wolfpack as a 6 ½-point underdog to Marquette. The over-under is set at 151 points.
Marquette has benefited from the return of Tyler Kolek. The standout guard is showing no signs of his injury, leading the Golden Eagles with 21 points and 11 assists versus No. 10 Colorado to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16.
Pick and roll clinic by Tyler Kolek helping Marquette advance to the Sweet 16 with a win over Colorado. Got anywhere he wanted on the floor, finishing skillfully and delivering phenomenal passes. 21 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds for the projected first round pick. pic.twitter.com/agPWRwUgtt
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 24, 2024
NC State is 18-19-1 against the spread this season. Marquette has been more profitable at the window, posting a 21-14-1 record ATS.
The over has hit in 22 games for the Wolfpack while the under has cashed in 15 matchups. Marquette has gone under in 21 contests and the over has hit 15 times.
Sweet 16 Picks: Houston and Marquette Advance to Elite 8
The clock is about to strike midnight for NC State. The Wolfpack have had to play a ton of high-pressure games in recent weeks and face a Marquette team that is finally healthy.
Take Marquette to both cover and advance at the sportsbook. This team is a legitimate threat to make the Final Four.
Duke’s offense is not scaring me from taking Houston, which has surprised by proving the team is more than capable of putting up buckets. Houston’s defense brings Duke back down to reality as the Cougars both cover and advance to the Elite Eight.
Questions of the Day
Who is the favorite to make the Final Four from the South Region?
Houston is the favorite in the odds at -105 to make the Final Four.
What is the point spread for the Duke-Houston Sweet 16 matchup?
Houston is a 4-point favorite versus Duke in the Sweet 16.
