The madness continues over the weekend with the remaining field trying to punch their tickets to the Sweet 16. And, of course, there are betting opportunities galore.
Our experts -- ESPN analysts Joe Fortenbaugh, Dalen Cuff, Erin Dolan and Anita Marks -- are here to give their best bets for Sunday's second-round action. And don't forget to see how your bracket is shaping up in ESPN's Tournament Challenge!
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
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Sunday's picks | Futures
Best bets for Sunday
7. Ohio State Buckeyes vs. 2. Villanova Wildcats (-5.5, 132.5)
South Region: 2:40 p.m. ET, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Cuff's pick: Ohio State +5.5
I said the same thing prior to Ohio State's win over Loyola Chicago, I think they're undervalued right now. They struggled down the stretch on both ends. They had bad losses but are now back to full strength with Zed Key and Kyle Young back in the lineup. Both played well in their win over the Ramblers. The Buckeyes will have to have the same level of defensive discipline against the always sound Wildcats. The Buckeyes have 2 of the 3 best players in this game with EJ Liddell and Malachi Branham. Villanova plays one of the slowest tempos in the country, lack perimeter athleticism and must make threes to win. I can see Ohio State winning this game outright so if you're giving me 5.5 points I'll gladly take them.
Dolan's pick: Under 132.5
I'm looking to play the under based on one thing and that is tempo. Nova's pace ranks 342nd and OSU ranks 330th out of 358 teams. In the first round against Loyola Chicago, Ohio State played good defense but struggled to score, putting up 54 points and going 1 for 15 from beyond the arc. Villanova is one of the best offenses in the country with a top 20 defense, but if Ohio State plays the way they did against Loyola Chicago, that could be problematic. With two slow tempo teams and experienced veterans who will not be rattled in this game...this could turn into a tough physical game. I like the under.
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. 3. Texas Tech Red Raiders (-7.5, 133)
West Region: 7:10 p.m. ET, Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
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Marks' pick: Texas Tech - 7.5
ND played their way into the tourney but advanced due to sloppy play from the Crimson Tide. The Red Raiders will be a force, coming off a win against Montana State where they shot close to 70% from the field
10. Miami Hurricanes vs. 2. Auburn Tigers (-7.5, 144.5)
West Region: 7:45 p.m. ET, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC
Marks' pick: Miami +7.5
The Canes looked good upsetting USC, 68-66. They beat the Trojans even though they lost that battle on the boards, and having gone just 1-14 from downtown. UM's defense created 18 turnovers, and even without size they can"chill with the big boys." Auburn's subpar guard play will play into the hands of what the Canes do well.
Dolan's pick: Miami +7.5
Miami had success in the first round against USC by applying pressure and forcing turnovers. I expect positive regression in terms of shooting after the Canes went 1 for 14 from three against USC. Miami averages 75 PPG, while their 48% field goal percentage ranks 23rd in nation. They have 4 players scoring in double digits, which has helped them hang with a USC and Duke despite their defensive struggles. On the other side of the ball, Auburn's defense can clutch down, but they've struggled away from home and down the stretch. The Tigers have covered just 3 of their last 11 games, while the Canes have gone 8-2-1 ATS in that same stretch.
6. Texas Longhorns vs. 3. Purdue Boilermakers (-3.5, 134)
East Region: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Fortenbaugh's pick: Texas +3.5
This is too many points to lay for a Purdue team that struggles from the free throw line and features a slightly above-average defense. More importantly, this is too many points to lay against a Texas team that entered the tournament undervalued after dropping three straight contests to Baylor, Kansas and TCU, respectively. But make no mistake about it, Longhorns boss Chris Beard can coach his rear end off, which is exactly what happened in the opening round during an 8-point win over red hot Virginia Tech. The stifling Texas defense, which is holding the opposition to just 31.8% shooting from deep this season, will be the difference on Sunday.
Futures
Note: Odds entering tournament
Arizona Wildcats +160 to make Final Four
Cuff: I've been on this team since January and am not jumping off now, despite Kerr Kriisa being dinged up. The Wildcats to me are the best team in the country and are top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They play at pace, can score in various ways and have great length and versatility on the defensive end. And I love their path to the Final Four. I don't think they get challenged in the first weekend.
Texas Tech Red Raiders +550 to make Final Four
Cuff: Texas Tech is No. 1 in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, and it might be cliché to say, but that's gonna travel. But more importantly, the Red Raiders greatly improved on the offensive end since a December loss in Phoenix to Gonzaga, a team they'll have to beat in the Elite Eight for this ticket to cash. Injuries throughout the year to Terrence Shannon and Kevin McCullar might have actually helped the Red Raiders in the long run. Bryson Williams, Kevin Obanor, Adonis Arms and others have emerged into more effective and productive offensive roles. The Big 12 battle-tested Red Raiders are now at full strength, and if officials don't call this tournament really tight, this physical group can make a run. It will have to run through Duke in the Sweet 16 at a big value price.
UCLA Bruins +400 to make Final Four
Marks: UCLA has had a terrific season, winning games against contenders, even without their best players on the court because of injuries. The Bruins are back at full strength, rank in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency and have a lot of tourney experience on their roster. I had UCLA upsetting Baylor, which is no longer even necessary, and making it all the way to the Final Four.
Gonzaga Bulldogs +325 to win national title
Marks: The Bulldogs have made it to the final in two of their past four tournaments, so they have the experience. They rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The Zags also have the size to dominate in the paint, shoot 38% from 3-point range and have arguably the best player in the country in uniform in Chet Holmgren. Their toughest challenges will be Texas Tech (from their region in the West) and UCLA (in the East Region) to get to the final, then they would potentially contend with Kansas or Villanova to cut down the nets.
Houston Cougars to win South (+600)
Fallica: People seemingly have Arizona inked into the national title game, but the Cats could run into a tough matchup with Houston. Even without Marcus Sasser, who has hinted he is trying to get back, the Cougars defense could lead the team back to the Final Four.
Miami Hurricanes to win Midwest (+2200)
Fallica: If Kansas doesn't win this region, it could be anyone. I've dubbed this my "Kansas or Chaos" region. Two-seed Auburn seemingly peaked six weeks ago and has had trouble away from home lately, the 3-seed is Wisconsin, which has Johnny Davis either still injured or on fumes, and 4-seed Providence is KenPom's luckiest team in the country. Five-seed Iowa is the trendiest of all Final Four picks. Six-seed LSU just fired its coach. There's a real chance Miami could find itself in the Sweet 16 at the very least.
Texas Tech Red Raiders to win West (+550) and
Memphis Tigers to win West (+3000)
Fallica: I keep having flashbacks to last year's championship game and what Baylor was able to do to Gonzaga, both physically and athletically. Memphis could potentially do similar things. The Tigers could also turn it over 25 times and Mark Few's team could score 90. But at 30-1, I'll take a chance. A more realistic team to win the region is Texas Tech, which would be a horrible matchup for Duke in the Sweet 16 and could beat the Bulldogs for the second time in four years to reach the Final Four.
Texas Tech Red Raiders to reach Sweet 16 -180
Fallica: The Red Raiders got a pretty nice potential path to the Sweet 16. They are a 15-point favorite over Montana State and then would get one of Alabama, Notre Dame or Rutgers, where Tech would be a decent-sized favorite to move on.
Kansas Jayhawks to have more wins than
Baylor Bears -140
Fallica: I'd be very surprised if the Jayhawks didn't find themselves in the Elite 8 based on their draw. I don't see Baylor winning three games with their potential path.