March Madness Picks for Thursday, March 23rd 2023

The Sweet Sixteen round begins tonight with the first four games. We’re going to analyze the betting lines for each match-up and I’ll provide my best bet for each of the games tonight.

March Madness Betting Bonuses

You can also check out our 2023 March Madness Sweet 16 moneyline picks and 2023 March Madness Sweet 16 player props picks. There are numerous ways to cash in on the action tonight.

Let’s jump into the best point spread and game total picks for the Sweet 16 games tonight.

Michigan State vs. Kansas State Picks

Spartans vs. Wildcats Preview

Spread: Spartans -1.5 (-110) vs. Wildcats +1.5 (-110)

Total: Over 138.5 Points (-110) vs. Under 138.5 Points (-110)

#7 Michigan State are favored against #3 Kansas State. Tom Izzo has his team playing great, but will they be able to keep up with KSU? KSU scores 75.5 PPG (60th), while MSU scores 70.2 PPG (187th).

This will be a close game, but the Wildcats will win. KSU rank #54 in free throw percentage (75.2%) and #29 in free throws made per game (15.9). They’ll pull away late with free throws.

Best Bet: Wildcats +1.5 (-110)

March Madness Odds

Arkansas vs. UConn Picks

Razorbacks vs. Huskies Preview

Spread: Razorbacks +4 (-110) vs. Huskies -4 (-110)

Total: Over 140 Points (-110) vs. Under 140 Points (-110)

#4 UConn will have their hands full with #8 Arkansas. The Razorbacks score 74.3 PPG (90th), while UConn score 78.5 PPG (22nd). Both teams have scored 70+ points in both of their games.

I’m betting on this match-up being high-scoring tonight and taking over 140 points. UConn are one of the top three-point shooting teams and they’re averaging 9.1 three-pointers made per game (26th).

Best Bet: Over 140 Points (-110)

Florida Atlantic vs. Tennessee Picks

Owls vs. Volunteers Preview

Spread: Owls +5.5 (-110) vs. Volunteers -5.5 (-110)

Total: Over 129.5 Points (-110) vs. Under 129.5 Points (-110)

#4 Tennessee have one of the top defenses in the country. They’re allowing 57.8 PPG (3rd). #9 Florida Atlantic are only allowing 65.4 PPG (39th) although that has come against weaker competition.

FDU are scoring 77.8 PPG (25th), but Memphis held them to 66 points. The Volunteers should be able to keep the Owls below 60 points tonight with their suffocating defense. Bet on Tennessee to cover ATS.

Best Bet: Volunteers -5.5 (-110)

March Madness Predictions

Gonzaga vs. UCLA Picks

Bulldogs vs. Bruins Preview

Spread: Bulldogs +1.5 (-110) vs. Bruins -1.5 (-110)

Total: Over 145.5 Points (-110) vs. Under 145.5 Points (-110)

#3 Gonzaga and #2 UCLA are both contenders to win the National Championship. It’s a shame they’ll be playing each other in the Sweet 16. This is a rematch from the 2021 Final Four (Zags won 93-90).

The Bulldogs score 86.3 PPG (1st) and UCLA score 74.1 PPG (95th). The Bruins only allow 60.2 PPG (5th), while the Zags allow 74.0 PPG (264th). This will be close, but I have the Bruins covering ATS.

Best Bet: Bruins -1.5 (-110)