We're down to the Elite Eight in March Madness and it continues to be a chalky NCAA Tournament with No. 3 Texas Tech the lowest remaining seed.
My March Madness picks expect that to continue since I have a trio of No. 1 seeds making it through to the Final Four, with just a single No. 2 seed pulling off a small upset. I'm also betting on the SEC to remind college basketball bettors that it's the top conference in the country.
Here are my score predictions for every game in the Elite Eight. These predictions are based on a combination of my ratings, odds, and the data analysts at KenPom, Bart Torvik, and Haslametrics.
March Madness Elite Eight score predictions
Saturday
(3) Texas Tech vs (1) Florida
Score prediction: Florida 82-73
The Texas Tech Red Raiders had to mount a 16-point comeback in the second half to beat Arkansas in OT on Thursday night. They had a +12 rebounding margin and scored 50 points in the paint against the Razorbacks, but that won't happen against a Florida Gators squad that rotates four bigs and dominates the glass.
With the exception of a sloppy first half against UConn, the Gators have looked like the best team in the country over the last month and a half. They're too balanced and deep for the Red Raiders to knock off.
(2) Alabama vs (1) Duke
Score prediction: Duke 96-90
The Duke Blue Devils have a highly-rated defense, but I'm not convinced they can slow down an Alabama Crimson Tide attack that's been virtually unstoppable. However, I'm very confident their elite offense will torch a Bama defense that's been non-existent this season.
Alabama's refusal to play an ounce of defense will be their downfall when they can't keep up with Cooper Flagg & Co. This should be one of the most exciting games of the year, and Duke will get the defensive stops it needs to get the W.
Cash your March Madness ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game CBB moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your school goes up by 18+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sunday
(2) Tennessee vs (1) Houston
Score prediction: Tennessee 64-62
The Houston Cougars escaped with a razor-thin victory against Purdue on Friday night. The Cougars haven't lost since an overtime defeat against Texas Tech on February 1, and that's their only defeat since the start of December.
The Tennessee Volunteers are the Elite Eight for the second year in a row, proving Rick Barnes can coach winning teams in March. The Vols avenged a pair of regular-season defeats to Kentucky by clobbering the Wildcats 78-65 in the Sweet 16.
This will be a rock-fight between the two best defenses in college hoops, but Tennessee has the best shot-maker on the floor in Chaz Lanier. That will be the difference as the Vols pull off the small upset as +145 underdogs.
(2) Michigan State vs (1) Auburn
Score prediction: Auburn 78-70
The Auburn Tigers looked like the best team in the country for much of the season, but were a bit shaky down the stretch. The Tigers uncharacteristically struggled with turnovers and poor 3-point shooting in the first half of their Sweet 16 clash with Michigan. However, they turned it on in the second half and cruised to a 13-point win.
The Michigan State Spartans also trailed in their Sweet 16 showdown with Mississippi and only pulled away in the final minutes. Now they go from facing a decent SEC squad to one of the best. Michigan's shooting can be ugly at times, and they won't be able to keep up with an Auburn attack with multiple players who can get buckets.
