2025 Men’s March Madness odds: Best bets for Duke-Arizona, Houston-Purdue

After which there have been 16.

The primary two rounds of the lads’s NCAA Tournament are within the books, and outdoors just a few thrilling upsets — like McNeese over Clemson, Drake over Missouri and Arkansas over St. John’s — it’s been largely chalk metropolis.

That in all probability received’t change this Thursday and Friday.

My first-round bets finished 4-3 last week, and I’m betting three extra video games within the coming days. Keep in mind, this house isn’t the place for one million picks or five-leg parlays. These will at all times be the video games I really like probably the most.

Let’s go to work.

Duke (-9, O/U 153.5) vs. Arizona

Watch out with these upper-echelon groups catching large numbers. May Caleb Love and Arizona shoot their solution to a canopy? Positive, however bookmakers are clearly greater than high-quality providing all these factors. I’ve mentioned all alongside that Duke is usually nice and groups like that are inclined to win Match video games by double digits. Examine 2009 North Carolina and 2024 UConn in the event you don’t consider me. The Blue Devils are higher in each aspect and I anticipate a win by 10 or extra.

PICK: Duke (-9) to win by greater than 9 factors

Michigan State (-3.5, O/U 143.5) vs. Ole Miss

Sparty retains letting lesser groups management video games early, then it comes out gang busters within the second half and covers all of the numbers. You’re in all probability nonetheless upset in the event you guess Bryant or New Mexico. Ole Miss boasts a prime 25 offense and protection, and it’s the third-best group in America at defending the ball. It’ll be extraordinarily tough for MSU to rally again in opposition to a group that doesn’t flip it over. And if the Rebels shoot it properly from 3, they’ll win outright.  

PICK: Ole Miss (+3.5) to lose by fewer than 3.5 factors or win outright

Houston (-8, O/U 132.5) vs. Purdue

After going through mid-major pushovers High Point and McNeese to achieve the Candy 16, Purdue now attracts the nation’s No. 1 protection this Friday. To say Houston is a step-up in competitors is perhaps the understatement of the 12 months. I consider Purdue’s tempo and Houston’s perimeter size will mix to maintain this recreation properly beneath the posted complete. In accordance with BetLabs, first-half “Unders” are 28-18-2 (61%) within the final seven Rounds of 16. So, let’s guess that, too.

PICK: Underneath 132.5 factors scored by each groups mixed
PICK: First half Underneath 62.5 factors scored by each groups mixed

Sam Panayotovich is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports activities and the BetMGM Community. He beforehand labored for WGN Radio, NBC Sports activities and VSiN. Comply with him on Twitter @spshoot.

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