Three Sweet 16 Teams To Avoid Betting in March Madness This Weekend

Eight Sweet 16 games will reignite the men’s NCAA Tournament on Thursday and Friday after a three-day lull.

If you’re aiming to resume your roundball betting on non-NBA or NIT fare, it might be helpful to know that some schools are worth leaving be.

Let’s look at three teams not to bet as tourney play marches back into view.

West Region: No. 1 Arizona (-7.5) vs. No. 4 Arkansas, Thursday

Here’s a caveat for the top-seeded ’Cats: Feel good about picking them straight-up but be skeptical of the spread.

That’s because Razorbacks freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is on a tear to begin his first tourney, averaging 30 points in two victories while hovering around 50% shooting.

Arizona brings a depth and completeness that makes it likely that bettors will be wagering on the Wildcats for three more games after this one.

While Acuff may not be enough to put Arkansas over Arizona’s own sizzling backcourt of Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, this projects as a nail-biter just the same.

Midwest Region: No. 2 Iowa State (-4.5) vs. No. 6 Tennessee, Friday

Iowa State boasts the talent and experience to go deeper than the second weekend of the tournament.

That task is substantially more difficult, of course, with second-team All-American forward Joshua Jefferson at less than full speed.

Jefferson sprained his left ankle early in the Cyclones’ NCAA Tournament-opening victory against Tennessee State and was sidelined for an eventual second-round romp versus Kentucky.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger said Jefferson is making “pretty significant progress” each day, but he remains a game-time decision.

“There’s not any percentages, predictions, unlikely/likely, it is literally, like, he is working tirelessly to compete, to do everything he can do to be on the court for our team,” Otzelberger said.

While the Volunteers share a state with Tennessee State and a conference with Kentucky, their tourney pedigree ultimately puts them in another class.

Tennessee and its massive front line have reached the second weekend in four consecutive seasons and are eyeing their third straight trip to the Elite Eight.

Don’t be surprised if Jefferson gives it a go, or if Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic help keep things close. But the Vols’ vaunted ‘D’ will ultimately keep the Cyclones honest – and far enough at bay – no matter who’s in the lineup.

Midwest Region: No. 4 Alabama (+9.5) vs. No. 1 Michigan, Friday

Alabama overwhelmed Texas Tech in a second-round matchup of the proverbial have-nots. With the Red Raiders missing JT Toppin (torn ACL) and the Crimson Tide without Aden Holloway (suspension), Alabama drilled 19 treys, with Latrell Wrightsell (six) and Houston Mallette (five) leading the onslaught.

Saint Louis, Michigan’s second-round opponent, similarly goes (now went) as its three-pointers do, and the Wolverines’ disciplined perimeter defense helped limit the Billikens to a 10-for-32 showing from deep.

Michigan, meanwhile, feasted behind the front line of Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara, who combined for 56 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks.

This one feels like it could go similarly. The Wolverines rack up the paint points on one end and stop Alabama’s tourney streak of double-digit three-point makes on the other.