The 2023 NCAA Tournament has reached the Sweet 16. We have seen some amazing stories develop in the NCAA Tournament, such as a 16 seed beating a 1 seed and a 15 seed beating a 2 seed. One of the other really interesting stories in March Madness is that we are going to get some new teams at the Final Four. Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Villanova – none of them are still in the tournament. Anything seems possible. With that in mind, let’s see which lower seeds have a realistic shot of going all the way along with their odds at BetAnySports.eu.
Florida Atlantic, No. 9 Seed in East Region Odds To Win Championship: +5000
It is true that FAU looked a little nervous against 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in the second round on Sunday, but the Owls were playing a road game, for all intents and purposes. The whole crowd wanted the Cinderella from FDU to win after seeing the Knights upset top-seeded Purdue. FAU did well just to survive that game. Now, in every remaining game it will play, Florida Atlantic will go back to being the underdog. It won’t be the heavyweight again.
It won’t be the villain. This team has lost just three games all season long. It will be relaxed and confident. Don’t underestimate this team. It can continue to beat the power conference opponents it will face, beginning with Tennessee. The Vols are good, but they will be missing starting guard Zakai Zeigler. FAU can beat the Vols and then continue on in their bracket.
Creighton Blue jays, No. 6 Seed In South Region Odds To Win Championship: +950
The Jays are seeded sixth, but they are playing like a top-two seed. They dominated third-seeded Baylor on Sunday in the second round of this tournament. They are getting good contributions throughout their roster. Also they have inside-outside balance. They have quickness in the backcourt and size near the rim. They have a well-rounded group which can win ugly or pretty, fast or slow, high-scoring games or low-scoring games. This is a very realistic championship pick. There’s nothing Cinderella-like about these Blue jays.
San Diego State, No. 5 Seed in South Region Odds To Win Championship: +4000
The Aztecs are not the favorite to win the South Regional, but they certainly could. They play great defense. Also they have a lot of size and length near the basket. They can rebound well against Alabama, the team they will face in the regional semifinals later this week. Also they have a lot of senior experience on their squad. They are tough and physical. Also they are not an easy opponent to play. They have a legitimate shot to win four games over the next two weekends and cut down the nets in early April.
Arkansas Razorbacks, No. 8 Seed in West Region Odds To Win Championship: +1500
The Razorbacks won’t be favored to defeat Connecticut later this week, but they just did defeat the top seed and the defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks in the previous round. Arkansas is one win away from making the Elite Eight in three consecutive NCAA Tournament, so this program knows how to win big games in March. Arkansas plays with endless energy and ferocious intensity. The Hogs have rounded into form at just the right time under head coach Eric Musselman. Don’t count them out, even though their opponents will be very difficult to beat in Las Vegas.
