Sweet 16 Picks
& Predictions

Jaden Bradley and the Wildcats have been dominant, winning their first two games by an average of 15 points. Arizona's Big 12 Player of the Year is peaking at the right time. Arkansas doesn't have the perimeter shooting to keep pace with Arizona's offense, and the Wildcats' defense should force difficult possessions. Expect Arizona to cover comfortably in San Jose.

This is the tightest matchup on Thursday's slate. Houston's defense is elite — holding opponents to just 62 points per game — and their physical style should disrupt Illinois's offensive flow. The Cougars have the edge in rebounding and second-chance points. Illinois has the talent to keep it close, but Houston's defensive identity gives them the edge in a grind-it-out game.

Purdue's Braden Smith is playing at an all-time level and the Boilermakers' efficient offense is clicking. Texas pulled off the Cinderella run from the play-in game past Gonzaga, but the magic likely ends here. Purdue's size advantage and shooting efficiency should be too much for Sean Miller's squad. The Boilermakers are on a five-game winning streak for good reason.

Iowa just knocked off No. 1 seed Florida in one of the tournament's biggest upsets. That kind of momentum is hard to stop. Nebraska's historic run is inspiring but they're untested at this level — they had never won an NCAA Tournament game before this year. Iowa's experience edge and emotional high make this a lean toward the Hawkeyes in a coin-flip game.

Cameron Boozer — the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft — has been unstoppable. Duke's depth and talent give them a significant edge. St. John's is a great story under Rick Pitino with the buzzer-beater over Kansas, but 7.5 points feels about right against this Blue Devils squad. Duke's defense and transition game should create separation in the second half.

Michigan is rightfully favored here, but 10.5 points is a massive spread for a Sweet 16 game. Alabama demolished Texas Tech 90-65 in the Round of 32, and their up-tempo offense can produce points in bunches. Aaron Phil has been electric, and the Tide's pace of play — the 176.5 O/U is the highest on the board — creates volatility. Take the points with Bama.

This is the game of the round. Two elite coaches — Dan Hurley and Tom Izzo — in a virtual coin flip. UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. went for 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman, and that interior dominance should carry over. Izzo is 4-2 in his last six Sweet 16 games, but UConn's title-caliber ceiling gives them the slight edge. Expect a grind decided in the final minutes.

Iowa State has been shooting 43.8% from three since the Big 12 tournament, and that kind of efficiency is tough to beat in March. Tennessee's Jak'Kobi Gillespie dropped 29 points against Virginia, but the Vols are making their fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, which means they've also lost in the Sweet 16 three straight years. Iowa State's shooting edge is the difference.