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March Madness - Sweet 16: The Winning Picks and Predictions


You don't have time to watch the Thursday night Sweet 16 games? Or, you're going to watch as March Madness continues on, but you want to know what's going to happen ahead of time?

Here you go. Here are the correct answers and predictions of March Madness' Sweet 16 games, and why.

1 Gonzaga (32-3) vs. 4 Florida State (29-7)

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Who Will Win, Straight Up: Florida State

Which Means You Want To Take The Money Line: Florida State +285

Who Will Win, Against The Spread: Florida State +7.5

And Why? At the very least, FSU is the call against the spread, even if you're not ready to dive into the big call of the outright win. And why? This is a fearless Seminole team that's got the depth, athleticism and length to hang with the Gonzaga scoring runs, but it's far more than that. The Seminoles are terrific on the boards, solid enough from three, and they don't buckle on the free throw line.

2 Tennessee (31-5) vs. 3 Purdue (25-9)

Rick Osentoski-Paste BN Sports

Who Will Win, Straight Up: Tennessee

Which Means You Want To Take The Money Line: Tennessee -135

Who Will Win, Against The Spread: Tennessee -1.5

And Why? Don't think too hard about this one. Yes, the Vols have struggled a bit in the tournament, and yes, Purdue has looked terrific. Don't worry about it. Tennessee is way too good defensively on the inside, way too good on the boards, and way too good from the field. There's a reason this was the No. 1 team in the country for a stretch - the offense is going to turn it up a few notches after getting a little time to regroup.

2 Michigan (30-6) vs. 3 Texas Tech (28-6)

Rick Osentoski-Paste BN Sports

Who Will Win, Straight Up: Michigan

Which Means You Want To Take The Money Line: Michigan -130

Who Will Win, Against The Spread: Michigan -2

And Why? Both teams play great defense. Michigan does it better. Like Tennessee, there's a reason why Michigan was the No. 1 team in the country this season - it really is that good, and it's simply better than the Red Raiders. Texas Tech isn't good enough from three - and it won't be against this D - and it won't come up with enough offensive rebounds. Free throws are a concern, but the Wolverines won't need them down the stretch.

1 Virginia (31-3) vs 12 Oregon (25-12)

Kelley L Cox-Paste BN Sports

Who Will Win, Straight Up: Oregon

Which Means You Want To Take The Money Line: Oregon +340

Who Will Win, Against The Spread: Oregon +8.5

And Why? Like Florida State, maybe you don't want to make the big call of the Ducks winning this outright. But at +340 on the money line, it's a fantastic value pick. These two defenses are going to keep the score really, really low - that 8.5 is a whole lot for what should be a tight battle. Oregon has the right defense to hold down the Virginia offense from going on any big runs, it comes up with a whole lot of steals, and it can hit from three. The Ducks force takeaways, and the Cavaliers don't.

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