The Elite Eight features top seeds battling it out, with thrilling moments in the Sweet 16 leading to some close calls for the favorites. Texas Tech staged a remarkable comeback, Michigan State and Auburn fought back from the brink, and Houston secured a last-second victory to advance. Surprisingly, the only team outside the top two lines in the Elite Eight is Texas Tech, defying the odds as a No. 3 seed. St. John’s is the sole top-two seed to fall short before reaching this stage. Many brackets are still holding strong as we head towards the Final Four.
The favorites continue to dominate as we approach the Final Four matchups. Here are the Elite Eight picks, along with betting odds from BetMGM: (All times Eastern)
– Florida (-7.5) over Texas Tech at 6:09 p.m. on Saturday
After a thrilling comeback against Arkansas, Texas Tech faces a tough challenge in Florida. The Gators have been performing well since early February, boasting a 13-3 record against the spread. With depth and talent on their side, Florida is favored to overcome the Red Raiders in this matchup.
– Duke (-7.5) over Alabama at 8:49 p.m. on Saturday
Alabama’s strong shooting performance against BYU set a record, but Duke’s powerhouse team led by Cooper Flagg presents a formidable obstacle. Duke’s solid defense is likely to stifle Alabama’s 3-point shooting, making it a tough battle for the Crimson Tide to advance.
– Tennessee (+3.5) over Houston at 2:20 p.m. on Sunday
In a bid to break the dominance of No. 1 seeds, Tennessee aims to secure a Final Four spot against Houston. Despite being overlooked as a top seed, Tennessee boasts an elite offense and efficiency that could lead to an upset victory over Houston.
With the tension building, the stage is set for thrilling matchups in the Elite Eight as teams strive to secure a coveted spot in the Final Four.”
According to KenPom.com, Tennessee showcased excellent defense in their recent game. Houston is also a strong team with the potential to win it all. However, at the very least, Tennessee can keep the game close. They displayed an impressive performance in the Sweet 16 matchup.
I predict Auburn will defeat Michigan State with a 5.5-point advantage on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Auburn had a lackluster performance towards the end of the regular season but showed their true potential after trailing Michigan by nine points in the second half. They regained their form and convincingly beat Michigan, resembling the team that was a top contender alongside Duke throughout the season. While it may be premature to fully believe in Auburn’s resurgence based on a short period of exceptional play, the team still possesses a high level of performance.
Michigan State will present a tough challenge, as they always do. However, if Auburn maintains their recent level of play for the entire game, they are likely to cover the spread comfortably and reestablish themselves as a serious contender for the championship in San Antonio.
