2024 March Madness predictions roundtable: How to bet the women's Sweet 16 games
The women’s NCAA tournament ramps back up Friday as we enter the Sweet 16. So what are the bets to make?
Here are our experts Charlie Creme, Mackenzie Kraemer and Tyler Fulghum to explain which games they’re making their picks on.
What’s your favorite pick against the spread?
Notre Dame (-3.5) vs. Oregon State. My previous concerns about Notre Dame’s depth have proven to be unfounded. The Irish are playing their best basketball even with six players and their defense has been elite. — Creme
Indiana (+15.5) vs. South Carolina. Double-digit favorites are 24-0 in the NCAA Tournament but just 8-16 ATS. ESPN Analytics has this line projected at 10.9. South Carolina hasn’t covered yet in the tournament, and Indiana could make it 0-3 with a healthy Mackenzie Holmes. — Kraemer
South Carolina (-15.5) vs. Indiana. I see no reason to stop betting into South Carolina. Dawn Staley’s crew has looked even more dominant than last year to this point. — Fulghum
Which underdog has the best chance to pull off an upset?
UCLA (+120) vs. LSU. Kim Mulkey’s distractions off the floor could be a factor. Middle Tennessee State was trailing LSU by just 1 at half in the Round of 32. UCLA is in a completely different class than MTSU. — Fulghum
Colorado (+230) vs. Iowa. Iowa hasn’t come close to covering yet in the NCAA Tournament. Their lines have been inflated all tournament, including against Colorado. Colorado’s defense could frustrate Iowa just like West Virginia, except the Buffs have the firepower to pull off a win. — Kraemer
NC State (+145) vs. Stanford. The Cardinal’s lackluster guard play, especially on defense, nearly cost them against Iowa State. NC State’s guards are better and finally found their rhythm in round two. Take the Wolfpack outright. — Creme
What’s your favorite pick against the total?
Texas vs. Gonzaga UNDER 140.5 (-120). Texas NCAA Tournament games are 8-4 to the under under Vic Schaefer. Gonzaga hasn’t faced a defense like Texas’ all season. I will also look at the 1st-half under as Gonzaga has started slow in both tournament games. — Kraemer
Colorado vs. Iowa UNDER 159.5 (-115). We saw what West Virginia did to the Hawkeyes. Colorado won’t be quite as physical but has more size than the Mountaineers. The Buffs also have the veterans to intelligently keep the pace slow. — Creme
USC vs. Baylor OVER 134.5 (-115). Baylor is averaging 77.5 PPG in Tournament play and USC is averaging 80.0 PPG. JuJu Watkins should drive the pace and make the Bears try to score to keep up. — Fulghum
Which game are you avoiding entirely?
LSU (-3.5) vs. UCLA. From half to half in this tournament both teams have been a rollercoaster. Which version of the Tigers and Bruins shows up is pure guesswork. — Creme
Iowa (-7.5) vs. Colorado. Caitlin Clark is a singular talent but the weight of this tournament might soon start to weigh on her and her team. If not for a massive free throw discrepancy in the Round of 32, the Hawkeyes would have lost at home to West Virginia. — Fulghum
Duke vs. UConn (-8.5). UConn hasn’t come close to covering either NCAA Tournament game, but this is the cheapest price we have had on UConn against an unranked team all season. Against a Duke team coming off an upset win over Ohio State, I’m staying away. — Kraemer
