Trent Reinsmith
The field of 64 that began the hunt for the 2022 NCAA Basketball Championship has been whittled down to 16 teams as we get deeper into the 2022 edition of March Madness.
- Sweet 16: March 24 & 25
- Elite Eight: March 26 & 27
- Final Four: April 2 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
- National Championship: April 4 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
Last year’s champion, the Baylor Bears were eliminated in the second round by the No. 8 seeded University of North Carolina. Baylor was a No. 1 seed heading into this year’s tourney.
The team that fell to Baylor in the 2021 NCAA Basketball title game, the Gonzaga Bulldogs were the favorites to win the title in 2022. Gonzaga is still in the running as we head into the Sweet 16.
Before we look at the matchups for day one of the Sweet 16 which takes place on Thursday, March 24, check out the best sites for March Madness 2022 betting. Also, be sure to check out our NCAA College Basketball betting page for tips and advice on how to wager on NCAA basketball.
Arkansas (No. 4) vs. Gonzaga (No. 1)
- Date & Location: Thursday, March 24 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
- Time: 7:09 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: CBS
| Teams |  |  |  |  |
| Arkansas | +335 | +335 | +345 | +340 |
| Gonzaga | -415 | -415 | -418 | -420 |
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have depth, power, and the ability to shoot from a high percentage from the floor. If the team was missing one of those components, the Arkansas Razorbacks would have a chance for an upset. Gonzaga is not missing anything.
Arkansas relies on its defense to create opportunities for them. With Gonzaga hitting from the field at a good rate, those opportunities will not be there.
Pick: Gonzaga to beat Arkansas.
Michigan (No. 11) vs. Villanova (No. 2)
- Date & Location: Thursday, March 24 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX
- Time: 7:29 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TBS
| Teams | | | | |
| Michigan | +180 | +180 | +180 | +180 |
| Villanova | -210 | -210 | -207 | -220 |
Michigan has had a good run this year in March Madness, beating No. 6 seed Colorado State and No. 3 seed Tennessee, but the Wolverines’ run is likely to end when it meets the Villanova Wildcats in the Sweet 16.
Michigan has been scoring in the tournament, but the Villanova defense is a beast the Wolverines have not had to deal with. When you couple the Wildcats defense with its ability to get off — and make — three-pointers — things don’t look good for Michigan in this matchup.
Pick: Villanova to beat Michigan.
Texas Tech (No. 3) vs. Duke (No. 2)
- Date & Location: Thursday, March 24 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
- Time: 9:39 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: CBS
| Teams | | | |
| Texas Tech | -118 | -118 | -117 |
| Duke | -102 | -102 | +101 |
Texas Tech has been a shutdown team on defense. The Red Raiders limited Notre Dame to 32.7 percent shooting from the floor on their way to beating the Fighting Irish by a score of 59-53. It’s that defense that will carry Texas Tech over Duke.
That’s not to say Duke doesn’t have a chance. They do. The Blue Devils shot 57.1 from the field against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round and they have the kind of offensive power to give Texas Tech a tough game, but the defense of the Red Raiders limited their opponents to just 60.4 points per game during the 2022 NCAAB season.
Pick: Texas Tech to beat Duke.
Houston (No. 5) vs. Arizona (No. 1)
- Date & Location: Thursday, March 24 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX
- Time: 9:59 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TBS
| Teams | | | |
| Houston | +111 | +111 | +112 |
| Arizona | -131 | -131 | -128 |
Arizona has not played like a No. 1 team during the 2022 NCAA tournament. The Wildcats have an 87-70 win over No. 16 Wright State and an 85-80 victory over No. 9 TCU. If Arizona did not buckle down during its days off before it faces the Houston Cougars, they could be in for an upset loss. I expect Arizona to look like a different team in the third round and come out more motivated and focused when they face Houston.
Pick: Arizona to beat Houston.
See below the best sportsbooks where you can find great NCAAB National Championship odds and bets and choose the best one for you:
