College Basketball Picks Today: Sweet 16 Features Blockbuster Matchups

While the Rounds of 64 and 32 were relatively mild in upsets, the Sweet 16 will feature some blockbuster matchups, including No. 10 Arkansas versus No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 6 Maryland versus No. 2 Florida.

Can the Razorbacks find a way to keep winning, or will the Red Raiders’ high-powered offense be too much to overcome?

Read below for our best college basketball picks for Thursday’s Sweet 16 games!

The following odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Place a $5 wager at FanDuel Sportsbook and receive $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins.

No. 4 Maryland @ No. 1 Florida Odds

• Date: Thursday, March 27

• Time: 7:39 pm EST

• Moneyline: Maryland +205 | Florida -255

• Spread: Maryland +6.5 (-118) | Florida -6.5 (-104)

• Total: Over 157.5 (-110) | Under 157.5 (-110)

All odds are available via FanDuel Sportsbook but are subject to change.

PICK: Maryland +6.5 (-118) at FanDuel

Look at what it took for the Gators to squeak by UConn. They shot roughly 46% from the field and 48% from deep and got to the free-throw line 34 times, which was 12 more than UConn. 

Further, Florida outrebounded the Huskies and held them to a 38/28/86 shooting split but only won by two points.

The Terps are a tougher challenge and have more size to combat Florida’s elite rebounding. Maryland is also an exceptional 3-point shooting team, so the likelihood of it having as poor of a shooting night as UConn is relatively low.

I like Maryland to keep this within striking distance and, possibly, win outright.

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Maryland Prediction

The Kevin Willard drama could distract the Terrapins, but I believe this team has enough talent and cohesion to keep this game against Florida close.

The Terps are riding an emotional high after Derik Queen hit a game-winning fadeaway (he didn’t travel) against a tough Colorado State team that was much better than the 12 seed they received.

Maryland has one of the best starting units in the country, so as long as it doesn’t get into foul trouble, this should be a tight game.

Florida Prediction

The Gators narrowly escaped disaster in their Round of 32 game against the two-time reigning champion UConn Huskies. UConn held the lead for much of the second half, but the Gators kept hitting shots.

Walter Clayton Jr, Alijah Martin, and Will Richard did what they have been doing all season: hit tough shots and propel their team to victory against even the most formidable opponents. 

And facing a Dan Hurley-coached team in the NCAA Tournament certainly qualifies as “most formidable.”

No. 10 Arkansas @ No. 3 Texas Tech Odds

• Date: Thursday, March 27

• Time: 10:09 pm EST

• Moneyline: Arkansas +190 | Texas Tech -235

• Spread: Arkansas +5.5 (-108) | Texas Tech -5.5 (-112)

• Total: Over 148.5 (-110) | Under 148.5 (-110)

All odds are available via FanDuel Sportsbook but are subject to change.

PICK: Arkansas +5.5 (-108) at FanDuel

The outcome of this game, regarding which team wins and which one loses, depends on Adou Thiero’s status.

If Thiero can play, even in limited minutes, the Razorbacks should have enough firepower to knock off Texas Tech, especially if they can shoot better from the perimeter.

Even without Thiero, I like Arkansas to stay competitive simply due to its exceptional defense and physicality.

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Arkansas Prediction

Since late February, the Razorbacks have played without their leading scorer, Adou Thiero. However, they have still compiled a 6-2 record, including two NCAA Tournament wins over Kansas and St. John’s.

What’s most impressive about their recent play is their ability to win despite shooting a putrid percentage from 3-point range. The Razorbacks knocked off the Johnnies while shooting 2-for-19 from deep. 

With Arkansas finding so many ways to win despite its offensive shortcomings, it is hard to see it getting blown out by Texas Tech, especially if Thiero can return.

Texas Tech Prediction

The Red Raiders were incredibly impressive in their Round of 32 game against Drake. JT Toppin and Darrion Williams dominated the paint, and the Bulldogs simply had no answer for them inside. 

Texas Tech knew where it had an advantage and capitalized, which showed impressive maturity and poise as a team, especially since the Red Raiders’ 3-pointers were not falling (2-for-14).

If Texas Tech wants to advance to the Elite 8, it must replicate its interior play and get more outside shots to fall against a Razorbacks team that has been stout defensively in recent games.