Sweet 16 betting odds, previews, picks — What you need for Thursday March Madness action

Steve Petrella

Sweet 16 betting odds, previews, picks — What you need for Thursday March Madness action image

The second weekend of the NCAA Tournament has finally arrived, and while there aren't really any Cinderellas left in the field, that could make the betting action that much more interesting.

Four Sweet 16 games are on tap Thursday night, starting with Villanova vs. Miami shortly after 7 p.m. ET. Duke vs. Oregon will cap off the first day of Sweet 16 action, and four games will follow on Friday night. 

MORE: Worst Sweet 16 chokes | Each team's chances of winning a title

Here is the betting information and picks you need for each of Thursday and Friday's Sweet 16 games.

Sweet 16 opening betting lines, totals

There has been some line movement in a handful of March Madness games this weekend, including:

— Public money has driven Oklahoma up from -1.5 to -2.5, and even -3 at a handful of books.

— Each total in the Thursday night games has moved. Maryland-Kansas is down to 144 from 146, Villanova-Miami down from 142.5 to 140, Duke-Oregon up two points to 157, and Texas A&M-Oklahoma up two points to 147.

— The total in Notre Dame-Wisconsin has been bet up from 129.5 to 131.5.

Odds to win the NCAA Tournament entering Sweet 16

With four games still needed to win the NCAA Tournament, a handful of teams still have pretty long odds to get it done — Indiana is listed at 25-to-1, Gonzaga at 18-to-1, and Miami at 30-to-1, namely. That's because there's still a long difficult road ahead, and each team has to win four independent events.

North Carolina, Kansas and Virginia are the favorites entering the Sweet 16, all at less than 5-to-1. 

Click the link to get our preview and pick on each game.

Pick: MIami vs. Villanova (-4, 140)

7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

The Hurricanes got out to a big lead over Wichita State before almost coughing it up in the second half. Once the Shockers took the lead, no one would have been surprised to see Miami fold in that situation. But the veteran Canes, led by point guard Angel Rodriguez, staved off disaster and advanced. That mettle should help it against a Villanova team that's looked excellent through two rounds.

Pick: Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma (-2.5, 147)

7:35 p.m. ET, TBS

Public bettors are all over Oklahoma, which could provide some value on Texas A&M. The spread has jumped up a point since opening and may get to -3 before tip. The Sooners rely heavily on their 3-point shooting, and if they go cold against a good A&M defense, it could be a long night.

Pick: Maryland vs. Kansas (-6.5, 144)

9:40 p.m. ET, CBS

Kansas' power rating is at a season high based on its current form, which could provide some value on Maryland. The Terps haven't completely lived up to expectations this year, but the 6.5 points they're getting may be a few too many.

Pick: Duke vs. Oregon (-3.5, 157)

Moneyline, total picks from AccuScore

10:05 p.m. ET, TBS

Oregon can beat you in a lot of different ways, but coach Dana Altman has struggled in the NCAA Tournament and has never gotten past the Sweet 16. He's only gotten there once. Duke has little to no bench, and has had to stave off both UNC Wilmington and Yale in its first two games.

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Steve Petrella