Day: March 23, 2026

Sweet 16 Preview-Thursday version. 

Thursday, March 26

West Region, 9:45pmET from San Jose

(3) Illinois 26-8, 19-15 ATS, 15-5 B10, KenPom: 6;  ORTG: 2nd ; DRTG: 24th; ADJT: 276; SOS NET: 23rd; NCSOS Rating: 90th; Team Effective Field Goal%: 55.3% (35th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 47.5% (33rd). Total Rebound %: 57.1% (7^th) NCAA Tournament Odds: +1700

VS.

(2) Houston 30-6, 18-18 ATS, 14-4 B12. KenPom: 4; ORTG: 11; DRTG: 4; ADJT: 351. SOS NET: 25; NCSOS Rating: 157. Team Effective Field Goal%: 52.2% (143rd). Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 46.0% (14th). Total Rebound %: 52.7% (43^rd).  NCAA Tournament Odds: +900

Analysis:

This is going to be a physical game. Illinois averages 84.7 points per game and can score inside or out. They’ve made 11 three-pointers per game to rank 9^th in the nation. Houston can defend the three (31.4%) and is an elite defensive team overall (39.5% FG). However, can they make enough shots? That’s always the question, but they may have the best player on the floor in freshman Kingston Flemings. Illinois also has a slight rebounding percentage. Illinois dominated VCU (76-55) and Penn (105-70) to get here. Houston also had no issues with Idaho (78-47) and dominated Texas A&M 88-57 to reach another Sweet 16. The Cougars have the experience led by Emmanuel Sharp, who has played 142 games. The Illini have tremendous size led by the Ivisic brothers and a veteran guard in Kylan Boswell.

South Region, San Jose, 7:10pmET

(11) Texas 21-14, 19-15 ATS, 9-9 SEC;  KenPom: 32; ORTG: 15; DRTG: 81; ADJT: 222; SOS NET:11; NCSOS Rating: 320; Team Effective Field Goal%: 53.9% (71st); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 50.7% (142nd); Total Rebound %: 54.6% (17^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +25000

VS.

(2) Purdue 29-8, 17-20 ATS, 13-7 B10 KenPom: 8; ORTG: 1st; DRTG: 34; ADJT: 324; SOS NET: 6th; NCSOS Rating: 48th; Team Effective Field Goal%: 58.1% (10^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 52.3% (230th). Total Rebound %: 55.8% (9^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +1200

Analysis: It’s tough to picture Texas as a Cinderella, but as the 11^th seed, they’ve had the most difficult road to reach the Sweet 16. They earned that seed by losing three straight and five of six coming into this NCAA Tournament. They had to edge NC State by two in the First Four, followed by a 79-71 win over BYU on Thursday. On Saturday, they upset Gonzaga by six. Purdue dominated Queens College by 33, before getting by Miami-Fla on Sunday by 10. Purdue is a very efficient offensive team led by pick-and-roll monster guard Braden Smith, who is the all-time assist leader. When they are making threes, they are tough to beat, but they have defensive issues. The Boilermakers allow teams to shoot 44.6% (194^th) from the field and 33.94% (219^th) from long range. Texas has similar defensive numbers but they have a head coach in Sean Miller who could be the x-factor here. They also have a forward Dailyn Smith (17.8ppg, 7.6rpg) and Matas Vokietaitis (7-0, 255), who had 17 points and nine rebounds in their win over Gonzaga.

South Region, 7:30pmET, Houston

(5) Iowa 23-12, 20-15 ATS, 10-10 B10; KenPom: 22; ORTG: 26; DRTG: 30; ADJT:361; SOS NET: 31; NCSOS Rating: 336; Team Effective Field Goal%: 56.3% (19^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 52.7% (251^st); Total Rebound %: 51.1% (119^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +10000

VS

(4) Nebraska 28-6, 19-15 ATS, 15-5 B10; KenPom: 12; ORTG: 49; DRTG: 6; ADJT: 231; SOS NET: 37; NCSOS Rating: 317; Team Effective Field Goal%: 55.6% (27th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 47.7% (36^th); Total Rebounding %: 50.3% (165^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +5000

Analysis: We have a Big 10 matchup between one team that finished .500 (Iowa) and another team that finished tied for second in the regular season (Nebraska). The Cornhuskers had never won an NCAA Tournament in their history before they beat Troy by 29 and Vanderbilt by two on Saturday. Iowa beat Clemson by six on Friday and then stunned Florida 73-72 from Tampa on Sunday. Iowa shot 51% from the field, led by Tavion Banks, who had 20 points, while star guard Bennett Stirtz added 13 points and five assists. The Cornhuskers got here because they defend the three well, ranking 15^th in the nation (29.8%). That will be tested against the Hawkeyes, who shoot 35.3% form beyond the arc and 49% overall. These teams met on March 8 in Lincoln, with the Cornhuskers winning 84-75 in overtime. They also met at Iowa on Feb. 17^th with the Hawkeyes winning 57-52.

West Region, 9:45pmET, Houston

(4) Arkansas 28-8, 23-12 ATS, 13-5 SEC; KenPom: 19; ORTG: 6; DRTG: 53; ADJT: 17; SOS NET: 16; NCSOS Rating: 80; Team Effective Field Goal%: 56.5% (16^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 51.4% (180th); Total Rebounding %: 51.2% (114^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +3500

VS

(1)  Arizona: 34-2, 21-14 ATS, 16-2 B12, KenPom: 1, ORTG: 4th; DRTG: 3rd; ADJT: 66; SOS NET: 12^th; NCSOS Rating: 102; Team Effective Field Goal%: 54.9% (44^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 44.8% (1st); Total Rebounding %: 57.8% (5^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +320

Analysis: Arizona is the top seed for a reason. They’ve looked strong in their first two games, dominating LIU by 34 and then beating a tough Utah State team by 12. Arkansas beat Hawaii by 19 and caught a break by facing No. 12 High Point on Saturday. High Point shocked Wisconsin in the first round and then gave the Razorbacks a tough game (94-88), covering the 11.5. The Razorbacks were led by star freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., who had 36 points and six assists against High Point. Arizona has a rare senior guard in Jaden Bradley, who had 18 points against Utah State. They also have a 7-2, 260-pound beast in the middle in Motiejus Krivas, who had 11 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks against the Aggies. John Calipari loves a challenge, and he has one here against one of the best defenses in the nation and an elite rebounding team. Arkansas can shoot the three (38.3%) and will need to use its high-octane offense to get the upset.

___________________________________________________________________________________    

If you don’t have the time for research, ATS is here to help with this tournament season and March Madness for just $175 through the NCAA title game and get the NCAA Tournament Max Bet included (which goes Friday). That’s Thursday and Friday (8 big picks), Saturday and Sunday (4 big picks) and the Final Four and title (3 big picks)! Or sign up for Baseball Financial for the entire season at $399 (starts March 25) and get the rest of the March Madness Package free.

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  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

2026 Baseball is just around the corner, as Exhibition play is rolling. The season starts on March 25. We have a specialty team that is in charge of Exhibition play (has won 3 straight weeks) and the first 1st month of the regular season, while pitchers settle in and team chemistry takes shape.

• Phase 2 is May through the All-Star Break in July, and then we bring in the closers for the run to the playoffs. Expecting 75+ units by the end of April. Contact us below for special deals so you can start winning today. _____________________________________________________________________

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Sweet 16 Preview-Friday version. 

(KenPom: ORTG: Adjusted Offensive Rating; DRTG: Adjusted Defensive Rating; ADJT: Adjusted Tempo; SOS: Strength of Schedule; NCSOS: Non-conference strength of schedule; TeamRankings.com=Effective Field Goal%). Odds: from DraftKings. Seeds are in parentheses.

Friday

East Region, Washington D.C, 7:10pmET

1)Duke: 34-2, 19-16 ATS, 17-1 ACC, KenPom: 2, ORTG: 7th, DRTG: 1st: ADJT: 281, SOS NET: 22nd; NCSOS: 18th; Team Effective Field Goal%: 56.6% (16^th). Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 45.9% (10^th); Total Rebounding %: 57.9% (4^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +425

VS.

(5) St. John’s 30-6, 20-15 ATS, 18-2 BEast; KenPom: 14 ; ORTG: 44; DRTG: 9; ADJT: 68; SOS NET: 45; NCSOS Rating:44; Team Effective Field Goal%: 51.1%(189^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 47.2% (23rd); Total Rebounding %: 52.7% (33^rd). NCAA Tournament Odds: +3000

Analysis: The Johnnies had the tougher road as the 5^th seed, destroying Northern Iowa by 26 and then edging Kansas on Sunday by two on a last-second layup from Dylan Darling. Duke’s toughest game came on Thursday when they had to come back from double digits to beat No. 16 Siena 71-65. They dominated TCU 81-58 thanks to 19 points and 11 rebounds from Cam Boozer. Center Patrick Ngongba II returned from missing the Siena game due to injury and played just 13 minutes due to foul trouble. This is a matchup of the nation’s top power forwards. Boozer is a double-double machine, but has some defensive issues that can be assisted by Ngongba II. Zuby Ejiofor is a beast down low and is also a defensive specialist. Duke is still expected to miss guard Caleb Foster (foot) for this game. Were the Johnnies underseeded at five due to the lackluster Big East?

Midwest, 10:10pmET, Chicago

(2) Iowa State 29-7, 23-13 ATS, 12-6 B12; KenPom: 6; ORTG: 16th; DRTG: 5th; ADJT: 205th; SOS NET: 33rd ; NCSOS Rating: 279th; Team Effective Field Goal%: 56.6% (15^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 49.4% (82^nd),  Total Rebounding %: 53.7% (25^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +1500

VS.

(6) Tennessee 24-11, 15-19 ATS, 11-7 SEC;  KenPom: 14 ; ORTG: 31; DRTG: 13; ADJT: 306; SOS NET: 9; NCSOS Rating: 10; Team Effective Field Goal%: 51.8% (159th),  Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 47.5% (34^th); Total Rebounding %: 58.9% (2^nd); NCAA Tournament Odds: +5500

Analysis: Iowa State has been one of the best teams in the nation all season, but they lost star forward Joshua Jefferson in their easy opening win over Tennessee State (108-74). The biggest question whether an extra four days of rest will be enough to heal his ankle by Friday. They didn’t need him in their win over Kentucky as they won by nine and Nate Heise (4.4ppg) stepped up with 12 points and three assists. Guard Tamin Lipsey (26pts, 10apg, 5stls) was fantastic against a pretty good Kentucky team that was just harassed by a great defense that forced 19 turnovers. The Vols had an easy time with a good Miami-Ohio team (78-56) and then edged No. 3 Virginia 79-72 on Sunday. Guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the way with 21 points and six assists. Tennessee will have its work cut out for them if Jefferson plays because he leads in points and rebounds and is second in assists. The Vols have some talented players, including long freshman wing Nate Ament, but they’ll need to defend and outrebound the Cyclones to advance.

Midwest Region, 7:35pmET, Alabama vs. Michigan

(4) Alabama 25-9, 16-18 ATS, 13-5 SEC; KenPom: 12; ORTG: 3; DRTG: 60; ADJT: 4; SOS NET: 2; NCSOS Rating: 9; Team Effective Field Goal%: 55.5% (30th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 48.9% (65^th); Total Rebound %: 50.8% (136). NCAA Tournament Odds: +13000

VS.

1)Michigan: 33-3, 16-20 ATS, 19-1 B10, KenPom: 1, ORTG: 6^th; DRTG: 2nd; ADJT: 22, SOS NET: 4; NCSOS: 12; Team Effective Field Goal%: 58.7% (7^th); Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 45.2% (3rd); Total Rebound % 56.4% (8^th).  NCAA Tournament Odds: +340

Analysis:  Alabama has been one of the most impressive teams thus far, crushing Hofstra by 20 in their opener and dominating No. 5 Texas Tech 90-65 on Sunday. Their depth is outstanding because they lost second-leading scorer Aiden Holloway to a felony drug charge. Guard LaBaron Philon (21.7ppg, 4.7apg. 40.2% 3pt) had 29 against Hofstra and then was held to nine points against Texas Tech, but also had 12 assists. They’ll need to push the tempo against a huge Michigan team that dominated Howard by 21 and Saint Louis by 23 in the round of 32. The Wolverines have a 7-foot-3 center in Aday Mara, who averages 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. Their best payer is All-American Yaxel Lendeborg, who can beat you from the perimeter, in the paint and disrupt teams defensively. The Tide need to not only keep up with Michigan on the boards, but their defense (120^th in FG%) has to step up.

East, Washington D.C., 9:45pmET

(3) Michigan State 27-7, 19-15 ATS, 15-5 B10; KenPom: 9; ORTG: 22; DRTG: 13; ADJT: 243; SOS NET: 20; NCSOS Rating: 93; Team Effective Field Goal%: 54.61 (66^tu), Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 48.7% (53^rd); Total Rebound %: 58.4% (3^rd). NCAA Tournament Odds: +3000

VS.

2) Connecticut (UConn) 31-5, 14-22 ATS, 17-3 BEast; KenPom: 1-; ORTG: 30; DRTG: 11; ADJT: 322; SOS NET: 36; NCSOS Rating: 32; Team Effective Field Goal%: 55.3% (35^th);  Opponent Effective Field Goal%: 45.8% (8^th), Total Rebound %: 54.7% (17^th). NCAA Tournament Odds: +2500

Analysis: Both teams are considered threats, but not favorites, when it comes to winning the title. UConn is always a threat with Danny Hurley as a coach. They were not impressive in wins over No. 15 Furman by 11 and had a late run against UCLA, to crush them 73-57. Forward Alex Karaban went nuts with a career-high 27 points, but the key was freshman Braylon Mullins, who averages 12 points per game, but had scored in single digits in four of his last eight games. Michigan State is led by 71-year-old Tom Izzo, who hasn’t lost his touch with strong rebounding teams and solid defensive squads. They had no problem with North Dakota State in the opening round by 25 and held on to beat Louisville 77-69 in the next round. Sparty has size usual, but to get to the Final Four, they have strong play from PG Jeremy Fears Jr, who leads the nation in assists with 9.4 per game. The difference here could be three-point shooting, as both teams are solid, but not great. Both are also very good on the boards. 

___________________________________________________________________________________    

If you don’t have the time for research, ATS is here to help with this tournament season and March Madness for just $175 through the NCAA title game and get the NCAA Tournament Max Bet included (which goes Friday). That’s Thursday and Friday (8 big picks), Saturday and Sunday (4 big picks) and the Final Four and title (3 big picks)! Or sign up for Baseball Financial for the entire season at $399 (starts March 25) and get the rest of the March Madness Package free.

ATS is the premier Sports Advisory Firm since 1992 (34 years). 

  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

2026 Baseball is just around the corner, as Exhibition play is rolling. The season starts on March 25. We have a specialty team that is in charge of Exhibition play (has won 3 straight weeks) and the first 1st month of the regular season, while pitchers settle in and team chemistry takes shape.

• Phase 2 is May through the All-Star Break in July, and then we bring in the closers for the run to the playoffs. Expecting 75+ units by the end of April. Contact us below for special deals so you can start winning today. _____________________________________________________________________

If you want to test our Daily Program in basketball, we offer one play today as part of our Basketball Financial Package for $25.  Don’t miss this easy winner and check out why we like the pick below.