March Madness Sweet 16 picks, predictions: Who wins 2025 NCAA Tournament games this week?

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The NCAA Tournament continues on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28 with the Sweet 16.

Which teams will win their March Madness regional semifinal games and advance to the Elite Eight on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30?

Check out our picks and predictions for every NCAA Tournament third-round game this week, starting with BYU vs Alabama on Thursday and ending with Purdue vs Houston on Friday.

What higher seeds could be in trouble? What lower seeds could surprise? Could we see some huge upsets in the March Madness men's basketball tournament?

We don't have to wait long to find out. All times MST.

March Madness Sweet 16 picks: BYU vs Alabama | Maryland vs Florida | Arizona vs Duke | Arkansas vs Texas Tech | Ole Miss vs Michigan State | Kentucky vs Tennessee | Michigan vs Auburn | Purdue vs Houston | Win probabilities | The Republic's predictions

March Madness Sweet 16 schedule: How to watch | When does Sweet 16 start? | Announcers | TV channels | BYU vs Alabama | Maryland vs Florida | Arizona vs Duke | Arkansas vs Texas Tech | Ole Miss vs Michigan State | Kentucky vs Tennessee | Michigan vs Auburn | Purdue vs Houston

More March Madness: Sweet 16 team breakdown | Sweet 16 game odds | NCAA Tournament winner odds | Final Four information | Printable bracket

Watch March Madness games on FUBO (free trial)

March Madness Sweet 16 game predictions for Thursday

• 4:09 p.m.: (6) BYU vs (2) Alabama (Newark) | CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)

This game has the highest point total of the Sweet 16 and for good reason. These teams love to run. BYU's lone loss in its last 12 games was against Houston in the Big 12 tournament. The Cougars will not go down without a fight, but they'll come up just short against the Crimson Tide.

Prediction: Alabama 86, BYU 83

Where is the Final Four 2025? March Madness NCAA Tournament championship date, location

• 4:39 p.m.: (4) Maryland vs (1) Florida (San Francisco) | TBS/truTV (stream with Sling TV)

Derik Queen's game-winner against Colorado State injected new life into the tournament. Unfortunately for the Terrapins, the Gators received a big wake-up call in their close win over UConn. Florida will be too much for Maryland in the Sweet 16.

Prediction: Florida 78, Maryland 70

March Madness NCAA Tournament odds: Who is favored to win title entering Sweet 16 games?

• 6:39 p.m.: (4) Arizona vs (1) Duke (Newark) | CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)

Caleb Love knows Duke very well from his time playing for North Carolina and he has the ability to keep Arizona in this game by himself. Arizona is the biggest underdog in the Sweet 16, however, for a reason. Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils will pull away just enough for the win late.

Prediction: Duke 79, Arizona 73

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• 7:09 p.m.: (10) Arkansas vs (3) Texas Tech (San Francisco) TBS/truTV (stream with Sling TV)

We've picked against the Razorbacks twice in the NCAA Tournament, and they keep proving us wrong. We're doing it again in the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders will make a key stop late to win a thriller against Arkansas in this SEC-Big 12 showdown.

Prediction: Texas Tech 70, Arkansas 67

Who is still in March Madness? Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament team breakdown, schedule

March Madness Sweet 16 game predictions for Friday

• 4:09 p.m.: (6) Ole Miss vs (2) Michigan State (Atlanta) | CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)

The Rebels have impressed us in the tournament, and they are battle tested from a brutal SEC schedule. That schedule will help them pull off the upset against the Spartans in the Sweet 16 of March Madness as the SEC continues to assert its dominance on college basketball.

Prediction: Ole Miss 74, Michigan State 69

March Madness odds: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

• 4:39 p.m.: (3) Kentucky vs (2) Tennessee (Indianapolis) | TBS/truTV (stream with Sling TV)

These teams played twice in the regular season, and Kentucky won both matchups. The third time will be the charm for the Volunteers, who will edge the Wildcats in this Sweet 16 March Madness matchup. No matter what, the SEC will come out a winner.

Prediction: Tennessee 75, Kentucky 73

March Madness schedule, TV channels: How to watch, stream NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games

• 6:39 p.m.: (5) Michigan vs (1) Auburn (Atlanta) | CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)

The Wolverines beat an SEC team, Texas A&M, to advance to this round against Auburn. They won't be intimidated by the Tigers. Michigan will send the first No. 1 team of the NCAA Tournament home, supplying the upset of the Sweet 16.

Prediction: Michigan 81, Auburn 77

More: Printable March Madness bracket for making 2025 NCAA Tournament picks, predictions

• 7:09 p.m.: (4) Purdue vs (1) Houston (Indianapolis) TBS/truTV (stream with Sling TV)

Houston is the No. 1 seed, but gets to play this game in Indianapolis, giving Purdue a home-court advantage as the No. 4 seed. It won't matter. The Cougars' defense will give the Boilermakers fits, allowing Houston to advance to the regional final.

Prediction: Houston 68, Purdue 63

When does the Sweet 16 start? March Madness NCAA Tournament schedule, times, TV channels

Watch NCAA Tournament games on Sling TV

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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