March Madness Sweet 16 Day 2: Expert Picks, Schedule, How To Watch & Odds
The intensity of March Madness is escalating as we enter the Sweet 16 stage, where the competition becomes increasingly fierce and the stakes are heightened. Following an exhilarating night of games yesterday, the NCAA Tournament proceeds today with eight teams competing for the opportunity to advance to the Elite Eight.
With formidable programs, rising talents, and unexpected narratives from teams such as Michigan and Ole Miss still in contention, the excitement is at its zenith. For college basketball enthusiasts and those interested in wagering, the Sweet 16 presents essential matchups, significant betting opportunities, and expert analyses for each game.
This article will provide the complete schedule, March Madness Sweet 16 picks, viewing options, and the latest betting odds, ensuring you are well-prepared for the forthcoming action.
March Madness Sweet 16 Schedule For Today, 3/28
Before getting into March Madness Sweet 16 picks, here is the lineup for today's games in the NCAA Tournament:
- (2) Michigan State vs. (6) Ole Miss, 7:09 p.m. | CBS
- (2) Tennessee vs. (3) Kentucky, 7:39 p.m. | TBS
- (1) Auburn vs. (5) Michigan, 9:39 p.m. | CBS
- (1) Houston vs. (4) Purdue, 10:09 p.m. | TBS
March Madness Sweet 16 Expert Picks & Best Bets
Michigan State vs. Ole Miss Prediction Today, 3/28: March Madness Sweet 16
Michigan State approaches the Sweet 16 as a 3.5-point favorite, bolstered by a defensive prowess that has characterized Tom Izzo’s success in March. The Spartans are ranked among the top 10 nationally for adjusted defensive efficiency, creating challenges for opposing scorers.
On the offensive end, Tre Holloman and Jace Richardson have been reliable leaders in the backcourt, while Coen Carr’s versatility offers a dual threat for scoring both inside and outside. If they can dominate the boards and minimize turnovers, Michigan State possesses the necessary tools to secure another victory in the tournament.
Conversely, Ole Miss, the underdog in this contest, has advanced by utilizing a fast-paced offense and effective perimeter shooting. The Rebels, spearheaded by Sean Pedulla and Jaemyn Brakefield, have consistently exploited defenses with high-percentage shots from beyond the arc. Their ability to stretch the floor will be crucial against Michigan State’s robust defense.
Defensively, Ole Miss must effectively manage the Spartans’ pick-and-roll plays and limit second-chance points. While Michigan State’s defensive strength and tournament experience position them as the favorites, an upset could occur if Ole Miss finds their rhythm from three-point range.
- Expert March Madness Sweet 16 Picks: Spartans -3.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
Tennessee vs. Kentucky Prediction Today, 3/28: March Madness Sweet 16
Kentucky enters the matchup as a 3.5-point underdog against Tennessee in a clash of SEC titans. The Wildcats excel in offensive efficiency, driven by Koby Brea and Otega Oweh, who lead a potent scoring offense. They are known for their fast-paced play, ranking among the elite in transition offense; however, their defensive inconsistency has been a significant weakness.
To secure an upset, Kentucky must improve their interior defense and minimize Tennessee's second-chance points. On the other hand, Tennessee, the favored team, employs a tough, methodical approach, guided by experienced point guard Zakai Zeigler.
Their defense is among the top five in adjusted efficiency, and their rebounding prowess could create challenges for Kentucky. The Volunteers methodically execute half-court plays, leveraging their size to exhaust opponents throughout the game.
Ultimately, this matchup hinges on tempo—if Kentucky can accelerate the game and push Tennessee into a high-scoring affair, they stand a chance to cover the spread and possibly win. Conversely, if Tennessee controls the pace with its half-court defense, they are likely to prevail.
- Expert March Madness Sweet 16 Picks: Wildcats +3.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
How To Watch 2025 March Madness Sweet 16 Games
There are plenty of ways for fans to catch the live action and follow along with any March Madness Sweet 16 picks that are made:
- CBS and TBS: Tune into your local CBS or TBS stations to watch the games, or stream them through services like Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.
- March Madness Live: This is the official streaming platform of the NCAA, providing coverage for all the games.
2025 March Madness Sweet 16 Odds & Betting Lines Via BetMGM Sportsbook
Check out the current betting odds for today’s games, brought to you by BetMGM Sportsbook:
- Michigan State Spartans (-2.5) vs. Ole Miss Rebels – O/U 150.5
- Tennessee Volunteers (-3.5) vs. Kentucky Wildcats – O/U 144
- Auburn Tigers (-7.5) vs. Michigan Wolverines – O/U 170
- Houston Cougars (-5.5) vs. Purdue Boilermakers – O/U 149
As the March Madness Sweet 16 unfolds, get ready for fierce competitions, exhilarating conclusions, and surprising turns. Keep the excitement alive with some March Madness Sweet 16 picks as we gear up for the Final Four!
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.