Ricky Dimon
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Sweet 16 action in the NCAA Tournament wraps up on Sunday, when another quartet of games takes center stage. Gonzaga, Creighton, Michigan, Florida State, Alabama, UCLA, USC, and Oregon are hoping to continue their March Madness campaigns into the Sweet 16. And we are looking to capitalize on a four-team mega parlay.
Gonzaga -13.5 (-110)
Florida State ML (+120)
Alabama ML (-275)
Oregon ML (+115)
Parlay odds: +1166
For this parlay we are taking one favorite against the spread and three money line winners (two underdogs and one favorite). Let’s break down each of the four legs one by one.
Gonzaga -13.5 over Creighton (-110)
Baylor took care of business in its Sweet 16 game on Saturday, making a late run to not only win but also cover against Villanova. Now it is Gonzaga’s turn to hold serve en route to a what would be a highly-anticipated National Championship meeting between the top two teams in the nation. The Zags should be able to do it—as in they should win and also cover. Head coach Mark Few’s team started slow against Oklahoma in the second round but still finished with 87 points and covered yet another lofty spread. It’s just hard to see the Bluejays keeping up with the likes of Corey Kispert, Jalen Suggs, and Drew Timme.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Creighton Bluejays preview and predictions
Florida State ML over Michigan (+120)
This is the only No. 1 vs. No. 4 matchup in the entire Sweet 16, and it should not disappoint. Michigan is favored as the Big Ten regular-season champion and the top seed in the East Region (No. 3 overall behind Gonzaga and Baylor), but it is without Isaiah Livers. Thus the Wolverines could be vulnerable. After all, any team in the nation missing one of its best players would be susceptible to struggling against this Florida State squad. The Seminoles finished runner-up in the ACC during the regular season and in the ACC Tournament. They have a true offensive weapon in MJ Walker and their defense is incredibly long and athletic, led by freshman Scottie Barnes. An upset is well within reason.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida State Seminoles preview and picks
Alabama ML over UCLA (-275)
One Pac-12 team (Oregon State) is already into the Sweet 16. At least one more will be in it following the USC vs. Oregon nightcap on Sunday. Will UCLA make it three?!?! Probably not. The Bruins did well to beat Michigan State in the First Four and then BYU in the opening round before benefitting from a favorable draw against Abilene Christian. Facing Alabama in the Sweet 16 isn’t the worst draw in the world, but ‘Bama sure isn’t Abilene Christian. The Crimson Tide won the SEC regular-season title and the conference tournament. Not slowing down in the Big Dance, the Tide have coasted past Iona and Maryland. They really should cover a -6 spread, but we will make this the safe play of the parlay and take the money line.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. UCLA Bruins preview and picks
Oregon ML over USC (+115)
It’s a small 2.5-point spread in this Pac-12 showdown, so we won’t be too concerned with eschewing the points and simply picking Oregon to win outright. The Ducks may have lost to USC in the regular season, but they have since compiled a 7-1 record—losing only to none other than Elite Eight-bound Oregon State. Head coach Dana Altman’s squad is coming off a 95-80 rout of Iowa in which Chris Duarte delivered 23 points. This will be an intriguing matchup between Oregon’s offense and USC’s defense. In a battle of conference rivals that should go down to the wire, there is no reason why the Ducks can’t pull off a minor upset.
USC Trojans vs. Oregon Ducks preview and picks
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