The 2022 NCAAB tournament reaches the Sweet 16 stage with Gonzaga still favored at the best March Madness gambling sites to cut the nets. However, there are 15 other teams ready to stand in the Bulldogs way.
West Regional
Gonzaga vs. Arkansas Odds by MyBookie.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | +9 ( -110 ) | 155 ( -110 ) | +340 |  |
| Gonzaga | -9 ( -110 ) | 155 ( -110 ) | -425 | |
|
||||
The Bulldogs favored by the best online sportsbooks to win this game. Gonzaga reached its seventh straight Sweet 16. They outlasted Memphis 82-78 in the second round. Andrew Nembhard and Rasir Bolton combined for a total of 40 points against Memphis. The question is whether this Gonzaga team has the chops to break through for the program’s first-ever national championship.
The Razorbacks run-and-fun offense under Eric Musselman this season is bolstered by an elite defense that has helped Arkansas make it to their second straight Sweet 16 following a 20-plus-year drought. Led by top scorer J.D. Notae – he scored 35 points in two wins to start the tournament – this Razorbacks team enters the second weekend after holding New Mexico State to 48 points in one of their best defensive performances of the season.
Texas Tech vs. Duke Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | -1 ( -110 ) | 137 ( -110 ) | -117 | |
| Duke | +1 ( -110 ) | 137 ( -110 ) | -103 | |
|
||||
Texas Tech did not miss a beat in the transition from head coach Chris Beard to head coach Mark Adams. The Red Raiders tormented Big 12 opponents with a tenacious defense all season long. They did likewise to Notre Dame in a 59-53 second round win. This is a balanced squad with a brand new star in UTEP transfer Bryson Williams. The 6’8” forward made the leap from Conference USA to college hoops’ grandest stage without a hitch. He is an exemple of the type of fortitude that make Texas Tech a force to be reckoned with.
Duke is waltzing into the Sweet 16 after they dashed Michigan State’s hopes in the second round on Sunday. The Blue Devils, in Mike Krzyzewski’s last season before retiring, have a bunch of stars such as Paolo Banchero and Mark Williams. They rose to the occasion to help avoid an upset to the Spartans. This team has what it takes to be great on offense, but its defense is a point of contention among Duke fans, remaining one of the biggest question marks.
South Regional
Arizona vs. Houston Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | -1½ ( -110 ) | 145 ( -110 ) | -125 | |
| Houston | +1½ ( -110 ) | 145 ( -110 ) | +105 | |
|
||||
Arizona had a strong run in Sean Miller’s 12 seasons, but the Wildcats haven’t reached a Final Four since 2001. First-year head coach Tommy Lloyd has the program ready to change that. The erstwhile Gonzaga assistant has smoothly implemented the offensive tenets of his former program with the help of Bennedict Mathurin and Azuolas Tubelis. Offense is this team’s forté, but the Wildcats have two rim protectors in Christian Koloko and Oumar Ballo. When the Wildcats get going, they can pile on points more quickly than any team in college basketball.
Though they lost top scorer Marcus Sasser and fifth-leading scorer Tramon Mark in December, Houston is in the Sweet 16 for a third straight season under head coach Kelvin Sampson. These Cougars have embraced the identity of many of Sampson’s best teams by crushing teams on the boards, playing methodically and effectively on offense and smothering teams on defense. They have won 11 of their last 12 games going into the Sweet 16. They are fresh off dominant outings against UAB and Illinois.
Michigan vs. Villanova Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | +5½ ( -110 ) | 135 ( -110 ) | +190 | |
| Villanova | -5½ ( -110 ) | 135 ( -110 ) | -230 | |
|
||||
The Wolverines barely reached the NCAA Tournament. They validated their bid with wins over Colorado State and Tennessee. Hunter Dickinson is the heart of the team, but fifth-year senior Eli Brooks is the soul. Together combined for 50 points against the Volunteers. This is Michigan’s fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. That is a feat that spans the stints of John Beilein and current coach Juwan Howard in his third season.
Champagne Villanova had trouble early in Round 1 versus No. 15 seed Delaware. They turned it on in the second half with a 20-point victory that carried over into the second round. They went wire to wire to defeat No. 7 seed Ohio State. This Wildcats team is one the oldest in this year’s tourney led by senior guard Collin Gillespie and junior Justin Moore. Two of coach Jay Wright’s last Nova clubs made it this far and won the title. This team has what it takes to be near the top of the best offshore gambling sites oddsboards.
Midwest Regional
Kansas vs. Providence Odds by MyBookie.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | +7½ ( -110 ) | 141½ ( -110 ) | +290 | |
| Kansas | -7½ ( -110 ) | 141½ ( -110 ) | -350 | |
|
||||
After they bowed out in the second round of the last two NCAA Tournaments, Kansas returns to the Sweet 16 after wins over Texas Southern and Creighton. Senior Ochai Agbaji is the star, but he has a solid supporting cast including forwards Christian Braun and Jalen Wilson. The wildcards for this team are point guard Remy Martin and David McCormack. Both are inconsistent, but if the Jayhawks are going to make it to the Final Four they will need contributions from both.
Providence won the Big East regular season and has easily rolled in its first two NCAA Tournament games. First they held the top 3-point shooting team in the country to 57 points. Then they smashed Richmond’s offense with physical power in a 28-point win. The Friars aren’t the most skilled but as a result of Ed Cooley’s influence they’re one of the best-coached. Their physicality and experience makes them a brutal matchup.
Iowa State vs. Miami Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State | +2½ ( -110 ) | 133 ( -110 ) | +125 | |
| Miamo Florida | -2½ ( -110 ) | 133 ( -110 ) | -145 | |
|
||||
After they finished just 2-22 last season, Iowa State made a turnaround under first-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger. They defeated LSU and Wisconsin to reach the Sweet 16. Minnesota transfer Gabe Kalscheur delivered big time with 22 points in a defensive battle against the Badgers in the second round. Freshman point guard Tyrese Hunter is also a top talent who is integral to ISU’s fast rebound.
Miami is one of the big surprises of the first weekend. They knocked off No. 7 seed USC and then No. 2 seed Auburn back to back. Miami lost 10 games before the NCAA Tournament, but seven of those losses were by two or fewer possessions.
East Regional
North Carolina vs. UCLA Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | +2½ ( -110 ) | 141½ ( -110 ) | +120 | |
| UCLA | -2½ ( -110 ) | 141½ ( -110 ) | -140 | |
|
||||
The Tar Heels have won eight of their past nine. They took out No. 1 seed Baylor. It’s been a turnaround for this team under first-year head coach Hubert Davis.
UCLA went from the First Four to the Final Four last season. Now the Bruins are in position as favorites at the best offshore gambling sites with almost all the roster intact.
Purdue vs. Saint Peter’s Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Peter’s | +12½ ( -110 ) | 136 ( -110 ) | +650 | |
| Purdue | -12½ ( -110 ) | 136 ( -110 ) | -1000 | |
|
||||
Purdue rose to No. 1 in the AP poll for the first time in history earlier this season. They remained in the nation’s elite. The Boilermakers are an offensive behemoth led by Jaden Ivey, Trevion Williams and Zach Edey.
Saint Peter’s is the Cinderella story. One more win would make them the first-ever No. 15 to reach the Elite Eight.
