Eight games. That’s all we have this weekend as the NCAA Tournament pares down to the best of the best. The Sweet 16 will have four games on Saturday and another four on Sunday, and by the end of Tuesday, the field will be whittled down to four.
Who is favored in the Sweet 16? Here’s a list game-by-game at the top sports betting apps available for Virginia sports bettors.
Loyola (IL) vs. Oregon State
Saturday, March 27, 2:40 PM EST
Oh, Sister Jean, here we go again. The Ramblers of Loyola are back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three tournaments, and who’s to say it’s not due to the power of prayer?
With their top-ranked defense and efficient offensive attack, Loyola is a favorite against Oregon State. But the Beavers have the same “destiny team” flavor that Loyola had a few years ago, so don’t count them out.
| ODDS FOR LOYOLA (IL) | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -7, -110 | -300 | Under 125.0, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | -7, -108 | -325 | Under 125.0, -110 |
| FanDuel | -7, -106 | -290 | Under 125.0, -110 |
| BetMGM | -6.5, -110 | -300 | Under 125.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | -6.5, -113 | -275 | Under 125.5, -108 |
| DraftKings | -6.5, -113 | -275 | Under 125.5, -108 |
| ODDS FOR OREGON STATE | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +7, -110 | +240 | Over 125.0, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | +7, -115 | +240 | Over 125.0, -110 |
| FanDuel | +7, -116 | +235 | Over 125.0, -110 |
| BetMGM | +6.5, -110 | +240 | Over 125.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | +6.5, -107 | +220 | Over 125.5, -113 |
| DraftKings | +6.5, -107 | +220 | Over 125.5, -113 |
Baylor vs. Villanova
Saturday, March 27, 5:15 PM EST
One of three #1 seeds left in the tournament, Baylor seems to be marching their way to their first Final Four in school history. This is their fifth trip to the Sweet 16 in the last 12 years, but the Bears are 2-2 in the round of 16, and have never gotten out of the Elite Eight.
Villanova has a storied basketball history: just three years ago the Wildcats were crowned NCAA champions, and two years before that they played in the finals. Some consider this team to be the most balanced the Cats have had in years, and they could give Baylor a solid fight in this Sweet 16 contest.
| ODDS FOR BAYLOR | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -7.5, -110 | -330 | Under 141.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | -7, -115 | -300 | Under 141.0, -110 |
| FanDuel | -7.5, -116 | -330 | Under 141.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | -7.5, -110 | -350 | Under 141.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | -7.5, -110 | -315 | Under 141.0, -107 |
| DraftKings | -7.5, -110 | -315 | Under 141.0, -107 |
| ODDS FOR VILLANOVA | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +7.5, -110 | +260 | Over 141.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | +7, -108 | +225 | Over 141.0, -110 |
| FanDuel | +7.5, -106 | +265 | Over 141.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | +7.5, -110 | +280 | Over 141.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | +7.5, -110 | +245 | Over 141.0, -113 |
| DraftKings | +7.5, -110 | +245 | Over 141.0, -113 |
Arkansas vs. Oral Roberts
Saturday, March 27, 7:25 PM EST
In the opening round, the Oral Robert Golden Eagles recorded just the ninth 15 vs. 2 upset in tournament history, defeating Ohio State 75–72 in overtime. It was the school’s first NCAA tournament victory since Ricgard Nixon was president. In Round II, they became just the second 15 seed (after the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles) to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, after defeating Florida 81–78.
Arkansas poses a much bigger challenge to the Cinderella’s in this round. The Razorbacks come at opponents from the backcourt with a quick guard trio of scorers. They are big favorites, but here’s something to chew on for those enamored with the Golden Eagles: Oral Roberts is 11-3 as an underdog this season, and they have covered in their last five games as an underdog.
| ODDS FOR ARKANSAS | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -11, -110 | -700 | Under 158.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | -11.5, -108 | -700 | Under 158.5, -110 |
| FanDuel | -11.5, -106 | -620 | Under 158.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | -11.5, -110 | -650 | Under 159.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | -11.5, -108 | -670 | Under 159.0, -113 |
| DraftKings | -11.5, -108 | -670 | Under 158.5, -107 |
| ODDS FOR ORAL ROBERTS | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +11, -110 | +475 | Over 158.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | +11.5, -115 | +450 | Over 158.5, -110 |
| FanDuel | +11.5, -116 | +460 | Over 158.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | +11.5, -110 | +450 | Over 159.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | +11.5, -113 | +460 | Over 159.0, -113 |
| DraftKings | +11.5, -113 | +460 | Over 158.5, -107 |
Houston vs. Syracuse
Saturday, March 27, 9:55 PM EST
This is only the second time these two schools have met, and this time a trip to the Elite Eight is up for grabs. Or is it? The Cougars of Houston are favored, in large part because of their defensive hussle and great rebounding. Syracuse is lucky to be in the Sweet 16, having survived a nip-and-tuck game in round two against West Virginia. But coach Jim Boeheim, with his emphasis on defense, seems to always keep his team in big games.
| ODDS FOR HOUSTON | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -6.5, -110 | -280 | Under 140.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | |||
| FanDuel | -6.5, -110 | -275 | Under 140.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | -7, -110 | -300 | Under 140.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | -6.5, -106 | -265 | Under 140.0, -107 |
| DraftKings | -6.5, -106 | -265 | Under 140.0, -113 |
| ODDS FOR SYRACUSE | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +6.5, -110 | +230 | Over 140.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | |||
| FanDuel | +6.5, -110 | +225 | Over 140.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | +7, -110 | +240 | Over 140.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | +6.5, -114 | +215 | Over 140.0, -107 |
| DraftKings | +6.5, -114 | +215 | Over 140.0, -113 |
Gonzaga vs. Creighton
Sunday, March 28, 2:10 PM EST
The overall #1 seed Gonzaga has not been tested in this tournament, manhandling their first two opponents. The oddsmakers have the Zags as heavy favorites against the Creighton Bluejays, a #5 seed out of the Big East. Creighton won a nail biter over UCSB in the opening round before easily dispatching Ohio. It would be a shocking upset if Creighton was able to win this game, but isn’t that what the NCAA Tourney is all about, the possibility of seeing history?
| ODDS FOR GONZAGA | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -13, -115 | -1100 | Under 158.0, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | -13, 115 | -1100 | Under 158.0, -110 |
| FanDuel | -13, -116 | -1000 | Under 158.0, -110 |
| BetMGM | -13, -110 | -1100 | Under 158.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | -13, -110 | -1000 | Under 157.5, -108 |
| DraftKings | -13, -110 | -1000 | Under 157.5, -108 |
| ODDS FOR CREIGHTON | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +13, -105 | +700 | Over 158.0, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | +13, -108 | +700 | Over 158.0, -110 |
| FanDuel | +13, -106 | +660 | Over 158.0, -110 |
| BetMGM | +13, -110 | +650 | Over 158.0, -110 |
| BetRivers | +13, -109 | +650 | Over 157.5, -113 |
| DraftKings | +13, -109 | +650 | Over 157.5, -113 |
Michigan vs. Florida State
Sunday, March 28, 5:00 PM EST
This matchup is one of the most anticipated of the weekend, with #1 Michigan hobbling their way into a heavyweight matchup with the #4 Seminoles. The Wolverines are without team leader and best player Isaiah Livers, who fractured his foot in the Big Ten tournament. U of M has moved through this tourney fairly easily without him, but their test against Florida State will be difficult.
The Seminoles are eager to avenge their loss to Michigan in the 2018 Elite Eight, but the cast of players (and coach at Michigan) is different this time. Of the eight games to be played on Saturday and Sunday, this one seems like the biggest toss-up according to MichiganSharp.com.
| ODDS FOR MICHIGAN | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -2.5, -110 | -140 | Under 143.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | – | -150 | Under 143.5, -110 |
| FanDuel | -2.5, -106 | -136 | Under 143.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | -2.5, -110 | -155 | Under 143.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | -2.5, -112 | -143 | Under 143.5, -112 |
| DraftKings | -2.5, -112 | -143 | Under 143.5, -112 |
| ODDS FOR FLORIDA STATE | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +2.5, -110 | +120 | Over 143.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | – | +120 | Over 143.5, -110 |
| FanDuel | +2.5, -116 | +116 | Over 143.5, -110 |
| BetMGM | +2.5, -110 | +125 | Over 143.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | +2.5, -109 | +120 | Over 143.5, -109 |
| DraftKings | +2.5, -109 | +120 | Over 143.5, -109 |
Alabama vs. UCLA
Sunday, March 28, 7:15 PM EST
How did UCLA get here? The Bruins won a grueling play-in game against Michigan State, then vanquished BYU and Abilene Christian in games that weren’t really close. Now the #11 seed sits two ins away from becoming the first First Four team to make the Final Four.
But Alabama will not roll over easily. The #2 Crimson Tide are on an eight-game win streak that started before the SEC tournament, and they won both of their NCAA Tourney games with ease. Alabama relies on their high-percentage 3-point shooting, and they also defend the three-ball well. Look for long-range shooting to decide this Sweet 16 game.
| ODDS FOR ALABAMA | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -6.5, -110 | -280 | Under 145.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | -6.5, -110 | -300 | Under 145.5, -110 |
| FanDuel | -6.5, -110 | -270 | Under 145.5, -106 |
| BetMGM | -6.5, -110 | -250 | Under 145.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | -6.5, -114 | -250 | Under 146.0, -112 |
| DraftKings | -7, -106 | -250 | Under 146.0, -112 |
| ODDS FOR UCLA | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +6.5, -110 | +230 | Over 145.5, -110 |
| Wynn Bet | +6.5, -110 | +240 | Over 145.5, -110 |
| FanDuel | +6.5, -110 | +220 | Over 145.5, -116 |
| BetMGM | +6.5, -110 | +200 | Over 145.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | +6.5, -106 | +200 | Over 146.0, -109 |
| DraftKings | +7, -114 | +200 | Over 146.0, -109 |
USC vs. Oregon
Sunday, March 28, 9:45 PM EST
USC might be flying under the radar in this tournament. They won their first two games by a combined 50 points, and so far they’ve appeared poised to get back to the Final Four for the first time since 1954(!)
Standing in their way are a familiar foe: the Ducks of Oregon, also of the Pac 12. In the regular season, USC defeated Oregon in their only meeting, 72-58. But Oregon still captured the regular season Pac 12 title. In Round I of the NCAA Tournament, the Ducks advanced after their opponent (VCU) was unable to field a team due to Covid-19. They flew past Iowa in Round 2, and are slight underdogs here against their conference rivals.
| ODDS FOR USC | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | -2, -110 | -130 | Under 138.0, -115 |
| Wynn Bet | – | -130 | – |
| FanDuel | -2, -106 | -130 | Under 138.0, -110 |
| BetMGM | -2, -110 | -140 | Under 137.5 -110 |
| BetRivers | -2, -107 | -127 | Under 138.0, -112 |
| DraftKings | -2, -107 | -127 | Under 138.0, -112 |
| ODDS FOR OREGON | |||
| SPORTSBOOK | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL |
| William Hill | +2, -110 | +110 | Over 138.0, -115 |
| Wynn Bet | – | +110 | – |
| FanDuel | +2, -116 | +110 | Over 138.0, -110 |
| BetMGM | +2, -110 | +115 | Over 137.5, -110 |
| BetRivers | +2, -114 | +108 | Over 138.0, -108 |
| DraftKings | +2, -114 | +108 | Over 138.0, -108 |
