After three upset wins in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, the NCAA Tournament rolls on as we offer our best March Madness player props and best bets for Saturday's Elite Eight schedule based on the best March Madness odds.
Just when it looked like this year's NCAA Tournament would produce a chalky Elite Eight, March Madness delivered Thursday with three upsets in the Sweet 16 to set up Saturday's compelling and unpredictable slate. And there's no shortage of talent on display.
The UConn Huskies (34-3), the No. 1 overall seed and overwhelming favorite by the Final Four odds, are favored to beat the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (29-8) in the first game on Saturday. Then, the No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11) and No. 6 seed Clemson Tigers (24-11) battle in the most surprising matchup of the tournament.
As part of our March Ma dness predictions, here are our March Madness player props and best bets for Saturday (college basketball picks based on odds from our best March Madness betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Saturday's March Madness best bets
- Terrence Shannon Under 22.5 points (-120 via bet365) ???
- Donovan Clingan Under 8.5 rebounds (+105 via BetMGM) ?????
- Jack Clark Over 15.5 points + rebounds + assists (-125 via DraftKings) ???
- Grant Nelson Under 11.5 points (-120 via BetMGM) ????
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Saturday's March Madness schedule and odds
(Odds via BetMGM)
- Illinois vs. UConn expert picks | Spread: U Conn -8.5 | Total: 155.5
- Clemson vs. Alabama expert picks | Spread: Alabama -2.5 | Total: 164.5
Saturday's March Madness player props
Best odds: -120 via bet365
Terrence Shannon has been on a tear for Illinois, averaging 23.5 points in the regular season before bumping it up to 31.2 points in the postseason. But there's a reason our best sports betting sites have this total priced so low.
UConn's defense enters the Elite Eight ranked sixth in adjusted efficiency, holding six of its last seven opponents to 60 point or fewer. It also hasn't allowed any player to exceed 20 points in this tournament, and just two players have exceeded the 22-point total in the Huskies' last 13 games.
Shannon is on a heater, but so were Jaedon LeDee (18 points) and Boo Buie (nine), and all of the other star scorers who me t their end against this Connecticut defence. I don't expect Shannon to break that trend on Saturday.
Best odds: +105 via BetMGM
Clingan may be the most talented big man on the court Saturday, but the UConn sophomore hasn't exactly been a prolific rebounder recently. He's fallen below the 8.5-rebound mark in two of three games this tournament, five of his last seven games overall, and 25 of 32 games this season.
So why is he catching such a generous price against Illinois, which features the eighth-tallest rotation in the country? The Fighting Illini have out-rebounded all three opponents in March Madness and feature five starters at 6-6 or taller – not including super-sub Dain Dainja (6-9, 270 lbs).
With the Under trading as short as -112 via FanDuel, this plus-money value is worth grabbing ahead of Saturday's Elite Eight showdown.
Best o dds: -125 via DraftKings
In many ways, Jack Clark has been the key that unlocked Clemson's stunning run from ACC afterthought to the doorstep of the Final Four. And the 6-10 forward should have his fingerprints all over Saturday's contest.
The senior forward has played at least 30 minutes in every game this tournament, and he cleared this mark in two of three games before a quieter showing against Arizona. He still made an impact with three offensive rebounds – tied for his most since Feb. 3 – despite taking just three shots all game.
I expect Clark to be more aggressive against Alabama, which surrendered a combined 46 rebounds in Thursday's win over UNC and still ranks outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency. I don't love this price, but I do love the total for this prop, which is only offered at DraftKings.
Best odds: -120 via BetMGM
What in the world got into Nelson in the Sweet 16? The former North Dakota State star scored three points in each of Alabama's first two tournament games, but he erupted for a season-high 24 points on Thursday, with two triples and 10 mad free throws – one shy of his career high.
I'd be shocked if he pulled off something similar against this Clemson defense, which ranks 13th in efficiency since Clark entered the starting lineup on Feb. 6. The Tigers have the length along the perimeter to switch on ball screens and the size inside to hold their own against Nelson under the basket.
This will also surely be a much slower-paced game than the one Alabama played against UNC, which will mean fewer opportunities for Nelson to play hero in the Elite Eight on Saturday.
College basketball best bets made Friday at 4:45 p.m. ET.
Here are our best March Madness betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUS1000 | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Live Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)