Friday Sweet 16 Betting Preview

Will the Duke Blue Devils post their first cover of this year’s NCAA Tournament when they return to the court in the Sweet 16 on Friday?

Duke, the No. 1 seed from the East Region, meets up with the No. 4 Virginia Tech Hokies in the Sweet 16. At Bovada Sportsbook, the Blue Devils are 7-point favorites. Duke edged the Central Florida Knights 77-76 as a 13-point favorite in the Round of 32 to drop to 0-2 ATS in the tournament and 1-6 ATS in its last seven.

Virginia Tech is 1-1 ATS in the tournament, and 1-6 ATS in its last seven tournament games. As an underdog this season, the Hokies were 3-5 SU and ATS, and they’re 0-3 SU and ATS as an underdog in the tournament.

Back on February 26, the Hokies upset the Blue Devils 77-72 as a 3.5-point underdog. In their last four vs Duke, the Hokies are 3-1 SU and ATS, with all three wins coming as the underdog.

Spartans favored by 6 over Tigers

In the other East Region matchup, the No. 2 Michigan State Spartans face the No. 3 LSU Tigers as a 6-point favorite.

The Spartans have won seven straight while going 5-2 ATS. They haven’t been money for bettors in the tournament at 1-4 ATS in their last five and as a favorite in the tournament they’re 4-7 ATS in their last 11.

LSU has lost both its games ATS in the tournament and has dropped three straight ATS overall. However, as an underdog, the Tigers have won six straight ATS. In their last five tournament games as an underdog, they are 4-1 ATS.

Heels 11-1 SU in last 12 in Sweet 16

In the Midwest Region on Friday, the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels take on the No. 5 Auburn Tigers as a 5.5-point favorite.

North Carolina is 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games. In the tournament, the Tar Heels are 9-1 SU and 4-5-1 ATS in their last 10 and in the Sweet 16 they’re 11-1 SU and 8-4 ATS in their last 12.

Auburn has won 10 straight at 6-4 ATS. As an underdog this season, the Tigers were 4-4 SU and 5-3 ATS. They have lost their last two Sweet 16 games while going 1-1 ATS.

Houston 4-1 SU, ATS this season as underdog

The other Midwest Region matchup sees the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats face the No. 3 Houston Cougars as a 3-point favorite.

Kentucky has covered in both its tournament games but is still only 3-5 ATS in its last eight. The Wildcats have been money for bettors in the Sweet 16 with an 8-1 record SU and 7-2 ATS mark in their last nine.

Houston is 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in its last seven games. As an underdog this season, the Cougars were a strong 4-1 SU and ATS. The Cougars are winless as an underdog in the tournament and are making their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 1984.