The start of March Madness betting in West Virginia lived up to expectations.
Despite being defeated by 11th-seeded Syracuse, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this year’s Sweet 16 for the WVU Mountaineers.
Once again, the Big Dance showcased a fair share of surprises during the initial two rounds. A total of four teams, seeded 10th or lower, managed to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend.
Oral Roberts, the No. 15 seed, has emerged as the most astonishing surprise in the tournament. It not only triumphed over No. 2 Ohio State in the opener but also delivered an impressive performance against No. 7 Florida in the subsequent game.
Loyola Chicago, another team vying for a spot in the Sweet 16, caused an upset by defeating the highly favored No. 1 Illinois in the second round. Now, they face No. 12 Oregon State, another unexpected team, as they aim to continue their impressive run.
Of course, there are still several top seeds that managed to survive in the tournament. Gonzaga, Baylor, and Michigan are still standing from the top line, accompanied by Alabama and Houston as the two-seeded teams that are still in the running.
This weekend, we will examine the most exciting Sweet 16 matchups and analyze the odds provided by online sportsbooks in West Virginia.
Sweet 16 betting at WV sportsbooks
Due to the new schedule this season, the Sweet 16 tournament begins on Saturday instead of its usual time. This week, there will be four games played on Saturday, followed by the remaining four games on Sunday to wrap up this round.
The Elite Eight games are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Best game – Florida State vs. Michigan
Scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. on CBS, the highly anticipated game between No. 4 Florida State and No. 1 Michigan stands out as the most captivating match on the schedule.
Despite being favored by many to win their region, there were some who had reservations due to concerns about injuries. Nevertheless, the Wolverines managed to triumph in their first two games even without the presence of forward Isaiah Livers.
The senior’s absence is currently indefinite, but there is speculation circulating that he might make an attempt to come back later in the season.
DraftKings Sportsbook WV has favored Michigan, despite the absence of one of its top scorers.
In the point spread, the online sports betting app has Michigan favored by -3, while Florida State is the underdog with a +125 moneyline.
Due to the impressive performance of both teams, this contest is expected to be a standout. Michigan easily secured a victory in their initial game and showcased their dominance by delivering a powerful second-half performance to defeat LSU.
Florida State had a smooth and hassle-free beginning to the tournament as they emerged victorious by a 10-point margin in their first game, followed by an impressive 18-point victory over No. 5 ranked Colorado.
In the round of 32, Anthony Polite, a junior guard, had a remarkable performance, scoring 22 points with an impressive shooting accuracy of approximately 67%.
In their most recent victory, the Wolverines had ample support as four players achieved double-digit scores. The notable contributions came from Eli Brooks and Chaundee Brown, who each recorded 21 points, leading the team.
With an abundance of remarkable athletes, this game promises to be highly entertaining for all viewers. Those contemplating supporting Michigan ought to weigh the potential outcomes carefully, as this closely contested match may be decided in the final moments.
Tightest point spread – Oregon vs. USC
The point spread for the Michigan-FSU game at WV sportsbooks is relatively close, but it is even tighter for the matchup between No. 7 Oregon and No. 6 USC.
At present, the Trojans are regarded as slight favorites by sportsbooks, offering a point spread of -2.5. According to DraftKings, their odds of winning the game are -137, whereas Oregon stands at +116.
Excluding Gonzaga, USC emerges as one of the most formidable teams still standing in the competition. It showcased its dominance by dismantling No. 3 Kansas in its previous match and effortlessly sailed past Drake in the initial round.
The Jayhawks were overwhelmed as the Trojans delivered an astonishing 85 points, with a remarkable 10 different players contributing to the score.
Evan Mobley, the promising freshman forward, possesses exceptional talent and is highly anticipated to be selected early in the upcoming NBA draft. Standing at an impressive seven feet tall, Mobley showcases remarkable skill and consistently contributes across the board. With an average of over 16 points, approximately nine rebounds, and three blocks per game, he consistently fills the box score each night.
In their upcoming Pac-12 game, the Ducks will seek redemption against USC after their previous defeat. USC emerged victorious in the initial match with a 14-point lead.
In addition to its defeat against Oregon State in the conference tournament semifinals, Oregon has been performing exceptionally well. The team has triumphed in 13 out of its last 15 games, including both of its wins in the Big Dance.
It is important to mention that Oregon did not participate in the first round due to unforeseen circumstances. Their scheduled opponent, VCU, faced several players testing positive for COVID-19, resulting in the game being declared a no-contest.
Despite not taking the day off, the Ducks did not allow any rust to hinder their performance. In the second round against No. 2 Iowa, they exhibited complete offensive control and executed their game plan flawlessly.
With a total of 95 points, they secured their fourth Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
For the Ducks to sustain their momentum, they rely on consistent contributions from several players. They showcased a group of five individuals who maintained an average of at least 10 points per game throughout the regular season.
Bettors residing in the Mountain State have a crucial decision to make: whether Oregon can sustain its current momentum or if USC holds the upper hand. Mark your calendars for Sunday at 9:45 p.m. as this game will be broadcasted on TBS.
Largest point spread – Creighton vs. Gonzaga
The Sweet 16 matchup between No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 5 Creighton holds the largest point spread, which is unexpected given the involvement of Oral Roberts.
Currently, according to FanDuel Sportsbook WV, the top overall seed is favored by 13.5 points. The Bulldogs have a significant moneyline of -1100, while Creighton stands at +700.
The main focus of this spread is Gonzaga’s impressive performance in the early rounds, showcasing their exceptional strength. The team has undeniably stood out as the most dominant, securing victories with a significant margin of 43 and 16 points.
The spread is further affected by Creighton’s limited experience against only two average teams up to this point. Creighton managed to defeat No. 12 UCSB and No. 13 Ohio in order to reach this weekend’s matchup.
Despite the Bulldogs possibly failing to meet the point spread, a Creighton win would definitely be considered an unexpected outcome. Throughout the year, Creighton has defeated various teams that were ranked, but none of them possessed the caliber of Gonzaga.
With an impressive record of 28-0, the Bulldogs show no signs of slowing down. Despite shooting their season-low field-goal percentage against Oklahoma, they still managed to score a remarkable 87 points.
In nine out of their last ten games, they have achieved a minimum of 80 points.
In order for Creighton to remain in the game, it must perform exceptionally well on offense and defense. The break between rounds could potentially provide an opportunity for Creighton to strategize and develop a game plan to impede the Zags’ progress.
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