The NCAA Men’s Championship tournament has reached the Sweet 16, and while there is potential for the March Madness to provide some more upsets in both the South and West regions, the underdog spotlight is shining brightest on the Midwest region. The tournament’s two lowest remaining seeds each reside in the Midwest, where they will have to get through the highest two seeds in their bracket in order to extend their Cinderella runs.
(1) North Carolina Tar Heels vs. (13) Ohio Bobcats
Friday, 7:47 PM ET
The Tar Heels were among the March Madness betting favorites even before the year began as preseason No. 1’s, and leading up to the tournament were recognized as having the best chance at beating Kentucky should the two meet in New Orleans. North Carolina has lived up to that billing through its first two wins, beating Vermont and Creighton by a combined average of 16.5 points. The Tar Heels have been bumped down a notch after losing Kendall Marshall to a fractured wrist, but after undergoing successful wrist surgery on Monday, there is still a chance he can play in the tournament if they make it past the Sweet 16. Ohio is the first 13-seed to make it to the Sweet 16 since Bradley did it in 2006, and while they may not seem like a realistic pick to knock off UNC even if the Tar Heels don’t have Marshall, the Bobcats do deserve credit for getting this far. DJ Cooper and his boys overcame a South Florida defense that dominated Temple in the first round, and with nothing to lose they should give North Carolina a good run. Look for Ohio to keep this game close until the end, when the Tar Heels’ depth and skill will prove too much for the Bobcats to keep up with.
March Madness Betting Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
(2) Kansas Jayhawks vs. (11) North Carolina State Wolfpack
Friday, 10:17 PM ET
One of the big-time bubble teams that barely made it in, the Wolfpack have played this tournament with a chip on their shoulder, and a burning desire to prove that they belong. With a per head chance to get a shot at state-rivals UNC in the Elite Eight, North Carolina State will be as hungry as ever when they step on the floor, with talented forward CJ Leslie leading the way. Whether or not Kansas has enough left in the tank to match that intensity following a close win over Purdue only time will tell. Thomas Robinson is one of the most talented players in the nation and despite their critics the Jayhawks just keep rolling, which makes it somewhat surprising that they are still considered an overrated team by some. Even with all their talent though, Kansas has already survived a close call, and if they struggle to match North Carolina State’s intensity early on, they will have a hard time pulling this one out late against a team capable of being this year’s sports betting Cinderella.
March Madness Betting Picks : North Carolina State Wolfpack
