We’ve got a fun slate on Friday’s Sweet 16 lineup that you can cash at top-rated sportsbooks. Here are three games that the AI Model likes as we get closer to crowning a champion.
Picks Summary
- Marquette -6.5 (-110)
- Purdue -5.5 (-110)Â
- Creighton – Tennessee Under 143.5 (-110)Â
*All odds from Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Marquette Golden Eagles
Friday, March 29, 2024 – 07:09 PM ET at American Airlines Center
The AI Model likes the Marquette Golden Eagles to earn a seven-point win over North Carolina State on Friday in the Sweet 16. Caesars currently has Marquette as a 6.5-point favorite.
Triple Threat
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have been on a heater, winning seven consecutive games. But after barely knocking off Oakland, it looks like the heater is finally going to come to an end against Marquette.
Marquette won’t earn many offensive rebounds or get to the foul line much. However, the Golden Eagles should destroy from downtown, with the Wolfpack allowing 34.3% from downtown this season.
Marquette has drained 36% from three and 56.6% from inside the arc. That should continue against NC State.
Defensive Dominance
On the other hand, Marquette figures to win the turnover battle and has also limited foul shot attempts. The Golden Eagles have limited teams to 33.6% from three and 49.2% from inside the arc. Meanwhile, NC State has hit just 50.3% from inside the arc this season and typically takes most of its shots inside.
That’s why I’ll roll with Marquette to finally knock off NC State in the Sweet 16.
NCAAB Pick: Marquette -6.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Friday, March 29, 2024 – 07:39 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena
Our AI Model believes Purdue will earn an 80-74 win over Gonzaga on Friday. With Caesars sitting at -5.5 for Purdue, the value is on the Boilermakers in this game.
Inside-Out Battle
The Purdue Boilermakers already defeated Gonzaga in a neutral game in November and in a matchup in 2012. Purdue has Gonzaga’s number and is the overall better team in this game.
The Boilermakers should have success shooting the three-ball. Not only is Purdue shooting 40.9% from downtown, but the Gonzaga Bulldogs have limited teams to 33.8% from downtown. That’s not entirely good for the Zags.
Gonzaga is usually good at defending inside, but facing Zach Edey is never an easy challenge.
Turnover Tussle
On the other hand, Gonzaga’s offense is just as elite. It’s unlikely Gonzaga gets to the foul line as much as Purdue, and it’s also unlikely Gonzaga will add more offensive rebounds.
Both teams won’t get many turnovers. However, Purdue has more ability on the offensive end as long as they play inside-out with Zach Edey.
I’m with the AI Model. I like Purdue against the spread.
NCAAB Pick: Purdue -5.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Creighton Bluejays vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Friday, March 29, 2024 – 10:09 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena
The AI Model recommends the Under 143.5 in this matchup. It has this game finishing with only 143 points, proving there’s some value in the Under.
Clash of Titans
While Creighton is one of the best offenses in the nation, Tennessee is one of the best defenses in the nation.
That matchup between Creighton’s offense and Tennessee’s defense will be fun to watch. Ultimately, Tennessee has held teams to a 45% effective field goal percentage. Opponents have only earned 30.9% from downtown and 44.1% from inside the arc.
Tennessee should do a solid job at limiting offensive rebounds, and although the Volunteers foul at a high rate, Creighton isn’t that aggressive and normally doesn’t get to the foul line much.
That favors Tennessee. If the Vols can just slow down Creighton’s potent offense for a couple more possessions here and there, Tennessee’s defense will slow down the Bluejays in this game.
Defensive Dominance
On the other hand, Creighton leads the nation in FTA/FGA defensively. That ultimately means they’re not giving up many foul-shot attempts. The Bluejays have also held teams to 31.7% from three and 45.7% from inside the arc, which are both above-average numbers.
The Vols should be more average offensively. They’ve only hit 33.9% from downtown and 51.6% from inside the arc. Those are rates that Creighton can work with. The Bluejays have limited teams to 24.7% of offensive rebounds and have given up an effective field goal percentage of 46.2%.
Don’t expect Tennessee to dominate offensively in this game, either. That’s why I agree with the AI Model in taking the Under for this game.
NCAAB Pick: Under 143.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
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