The Tennessee Volunteers face off against the Creighton Bluejays in the Sweet Sixteen this Friday night. The Volunteers are warm favorites to win the match and take their place in the Elite Eight. But the battle-hardened Bluejays will have other ideas when the two schools meet. In our latest March Madness NCAAB betting picks, we tell you who will win.
- What: 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament – Sweet Sixteen
- Who: Tennessee Volunteers (2) vs. Creighton Bluejays (3)
- Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
- When: Friday, March, 29th, 2024
- Tip-Off: 9.09 pm ET
There have not been many big-name casualties in this year’s NCAA Tournament. And as a result, we’re seeing plenty of top seeds clash as the competition enters the Sweet Sixteen stage.
Tennessee (26-8) are seeded two and Creighton (25-9) three. The Volunteers look like the team to beat in this Midwest Region showdown, especially after they appeared to ease off in the second half against the Longhorns in the last round, keeping plenty in reserve.
The Bluejays were the exact opposite in the second round. They needed double overtime to see off the Ducks. Will that be a telling factor when the two teams meet in Detroit?
Betting to win the Men’s 2024 NCAA Basketball Championship
Connecticut is still the favorite with the best March Madness betting sites. To win the NCAA Tournament outright, the Huskies are now +215, having started the postseason at +400.
Houston is second in the betting at +500, just ahead of the Purdue Boilermakers at +650 and Arizona at +850. Completing the odds on the No.1 seeds is North Carolina at +1000.
The Tennessee Volunteers are joint sixth favorites with Marquette at +1400. As for the Creighton Bluejays, they are +2500 to win the competition with the best college basketball betting sites.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Creighton Bluejays: March Madness Match Betting
In the latest Sweet Sixteen betting odds, the Tennessee Volunteers are the -145 favorite on the money line. The Bluejays are +125 in a close-looking contest on paper.
On the handicap spread, Creighton is receiving a 2.5-point advantage. To win with the spread, the Bluejays are -110. While to win and cover the 2.5-point handicap spread, Tennessee is -110.
The total points amount is 143.5, with over and under both at -110. More betting options are available on our college basketball odds table. For our odds, we only use the top-rated NCAA basketball betting sites.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Creighton Bluejays: Latest Form
Tennessee had a great end to the regular season, winning a tight SEC with a 14-4 record. Overall this season, they are 26-8, with a 9-2 record in their last eleven matches.
In the postseason it was plain sailing in the first round as they defeated Saint Peter’s 83-49. But in the second round, things got a bit edgy for Rick Barnes and his team against the Texas Longhorns. The Volunteers had a healthy-looking 28-19 lead at the halfway point.
But a second-half fight back from the Longhorns saw the Vols hanging on at times, eventually winning through by four points (62-58).
It is possible that the Vols eased off to preserve energy. But it’s a pretty safe bet that the Longhorns would have plenty to say about that.
THE VOLS KEEP DANCING 🕺
(2) Tennessee hangs on to defeat (7) Texas 62-58 and advance to the Sweet 16! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/9tu3qs6gDt
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2024
The Creighton Bluejays finished joint second in the Big East with a 14-6 record. The truth is that the majority of schools were playing for second place from early, such was the dominance of the UConn Huskies (18-2).
In the postseason, the Bluejays coasted through the first round, defeating the Akron Zips 77-60. They were then involved in a crazy match against the Oregon Ducks in the second round. Overtime was needed, as regulation time ended with the scores at 62 apiece.
That couldn’t separate the schools either, as that ended at 71-71. Then in double overtime, the Bluejays ran in 15 points to the Ducks’ two. Eventually taking the match 86-73.
THE BLUEJAYS ADVANCE IN DOUBLE OT ‼️#MarchMadness @BluejayMBB pic.twitter.com/Fm2HveiWG4
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2024
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Creighton Bluejays: Our Picks
Onto the betting to win the match, and first, we are looking at the total points line.
The Volunteers have been involved in 17 matches that have seen over 143.5 points scored this season. The Bluejays can top that. They have seen over 143.5 points score on 21 occasions.
The two schools’ combined average is 159.7. That puts them way above the over mark. We know that defenses will be tighter in this match. But we say that over 143.5 has to be our pick based on those statistics.
We are also going with the Tennessee Volunteers to win the match. They are the better team in our opinion. We also feel they are in better form and look more likely to win the physical battle if the match goes in that direction.
A spread of 2.5 isn’t much. So we make the Volunteers to win and cover our Sweet Sixteen betting pick.
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