NCAAB · 8 months ago

NCAA Tournament Bracket Busters: Top 5 Sweet Sixteen Most Likely Upsets

Grant White

Host · Writer

(5) Michigan Wolverines (27-9) vs. (1) Auburn Tigers (30-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: State Farm Arena
Location: Athens, GA
Date: Friday, March 28
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 9:39 p.m. ET
Spread: Auburn -8.5 | Total: 154
Moneyline: Auburn -425 | Michigan +325

No one believes in the Michigan Wolverines, and they continue to prove naysayers wrong every step of the way. After a triumphant run through the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines were relegated to the fifth seed in the South Region. That makes it five straight wins for Michigan, despite being underdogs in all but one of those contests. Moreover, we've seen the Tigers falter over the final few weeks of the regular season, underscoring their hot and cold offense. Dusty May has taken worse teams further in the tournament. Michigan could bust a few more brackets on Friday.

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(6) BYU Cougars (26-9) vs. (2) Alabama Crimson Tide (27-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Prudential Center
Location: Newark, NJ
Date: Thursday, March 27
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 7:09 p.m. ET
Spread: Illinois -1.5 | Total: 170.5
Moneyline: Illinois -130 | Kentucky +110

The Alabama Crimson Tide won't be able to shake their reputation for being an underwhelming defensive team in the Sweet Sixteen. Bama takes on the BYU Cougars, who are taking no prisoners to close out the 2024-25 college basketball season. BYU's offensive efficiency is through the roof. They scored 91 points against the typically stout Wisconsin Badgers, marking the fifth time they recorded at least 80 points in six games. Not many teams can hang with the Crimson Tide offensively, but if the three-ball is working as well as it has been, there's no denying BYU a spot in the Elite Eight.

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(10) Arkansas Razorbacks (22-13) vs. (3) Texas Tech Red Raiders (27-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Chase Center
Location: San Francisco, CA
Date: Thursday, March 27
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 10:09 p.m. ET
Spread: Texas Tech -5.5 | Total: 148
Moneyline: Texas Tech -245 | Arkansas +200

John Calipari always has his team ready to play, and the Sweet Sixteen will be no different, as his Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Arkansas shut down St. John's in the Round of 32, limiting the Red Storm to 28.0% shooting. While the Razorbacks aren't known for their defensive intensity, they brought it on every possession last weekend. Further, we've seen a less effective Red Raiders' offense over the past few games. Texas Tech has been held to an average of 78.8 points per game over its past four, while taking on lesser-than competition. Arkansas could be this year's Cinderella, and the clock hasn't struck midnight yet.
(6) Ole Miss Rebels (24-11) vs. (2) Michigan State Spartans (29-6)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: State Farm Arena
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: Friday, March 28
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Michigan State -3.5 | Total: 143
Moneyline: Michigan State -170 | Ole Miss +145

The Michigan State Spartans mounted a second-half comeback over the New Mexico Lobos in the Round of 32, punching their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen. Those slow starts have been a hallmark of their recent performances, and could be the Spartans' undoing versus the Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels have come out swinging in each of their first two tournament games, putting up an average of 42.0 points. If Ole Miss can build an early lead, they can lean into their defense to keep Michigan State's mid-offense in check. We like the Rebels' chances in this one.
(3) Kentucky Wildcats (23-11) vs. (2) Tennessee Volunteers (29-7)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Lucas Oil Stadium
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date: Friday, March 28
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 7:39 p.m. ET
Spread: Tennessee -4.5 | Total: 144.5
Moneyline: Tennessee -200 | Kentucky +165

Two SEC rivals take to the court at Lucas Oil Stadium for a spot in the Regional Finals. The third-seeded Kentucky Wildcats have already faced the second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers twice this season, dispatching the Vols on both occasions. Across those two contests, Tennessee was held to just 38.1% shooting, including a laughable 22.2% from beyond the arc. The betting market seems to like the Vols' chances on a neutral court, but we can't help but think that Kentucky will complete the three-game sweep of the season.
(5) Michigan Wolverines (27-9) vs. (1) Auburn Tigers (30-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: State Farm Arena
Location: Athens, GA
Date: Friday, March 28
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 9:39 p.m. ET
Spread: Auburn -8.5 | Total: 154
Moneyline: Auburn -425 | Michigan +325

No one believes in the Michigan Wolverines, and they continue to prove naysayers wrong every step of the way. After a triumphant run through the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines were relegated to the fifth seed in the South Region. That makes it five straight wins for Michigan, despite being underdogs in all but one of those contests. Moreover, we've seen the Tigers falter over the final few weeks of the regular season, underscoring their hot and cold offense. Dusty May has taken worse teams further in the tournament. Michigan could bust a few more brackets on Friday.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
(6) BYU Cougars (26-9) vs. (2) Alabama Crimson Tide (27-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Prudential Center
Location: Newark, NJ
Date: Thursday, March 27
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 7:09 p.m. ET
Spread: Illinois -1.5 | Total: 170.5
Moneyline: Illinois -130 | Kentucky +110

The Alabama Crimson Tide won't be able to shake their reputation for being an underwhelming defensive team in the Sweet Sixteen. Bama takes on the BYU Cougars, who are taking no prisoners to close out the 2024-25 college basketball season. BYU's offensive efficiency is through the roof. They scored 91 points against the typically stout Wisconsin Badgers, marking the fifth time they recorded at least 80 points in six games. Not many teams can hang with the Crimson Tide offensively, but if the three-ball is working as well as it has been, there's no denying BYU a spot in the Elite Eight.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

NCAA Tournament Bracket Busters: Top 5 Sweet Sixteen Most Likely Upsets

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