Sweet 16 Public Splits: Duke, Villanova, Arizona Seeing Heavy Action

• The Duke Blue Devils have -110 odds to cover a 1-point underdog spread.
• Villanova is taking 68% of bets on the spread against Michigan.
• Arizona has -130 odds to beat Houston in the Sweet 16.

SAN ANTONIO – March Madness is set to continue on Thursday night with the Sweet 16 and there are some great matchups in store for the third round. Those matchups include the Duke Blue Devils and Texas Tech Red Raiders, Villanova Wildcats and Michigan Wolverines, and Arizona Wildcats and Houston Cougars.

Legal online sportsbooks have each of these matchups set close on the odds board, however, public betting splits for each game are leaning in one direction.

#2 Duke Vs. #3 Texas Tech

Duke Vs. Texas Tech Odds

• Moneyline: Texas Tech (-115) vs. Duke (-105)
• Spread: Duke +1
• Total: 137.5 Points

Duke is looking to extend Coach K’s farewell tour and Texas Tech is standing in their way as they go into the game with slightly favored March Madness odds. Although Duke is going in as a rare underdog, public betting splits are still on their side.

On the moneyline, Dukes -105 odds are taking in 65% of total bets placed and 66% of the betting handle. With that, their odds on the spread are taking even heavier action with 71% of bets and 78% of the money.

As for the splits on the game total, many are expecting a high-scoring game with the Overseeing 73% of bets and 78% of the handle.

While Duke has gone 1-1 ATS in the tournament thus far, when tasked as an underdog in a neutral site, they have gone 6-0 ATS in their last six games in that situation.

The Red Raiders, on the other hand, have struggled when given high expectations as they are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite. On the total, both teams have been on a scoring tear going 2-1 with the over in their last three games.

#2 Villanova Vs. #11 Michigan

Villanova Vs. Michigan Odds

• Moneyline: Villanova (-220) vs. Michigan (+180)
• Spread: Villanova -5
• Total: 135.5 Points

This has been one of the most highly anticipated matchups of March Madness being that Michigan has defied all odds and made it to the Sweet 16 as a double-digit seed. However, their luck could be running out with their matchup against Villanova.

Nova has been a wrecking ball all season with an 18-15-2 ATS record and an average win margin of 9.9 points.

Although favored on the moneyline, the public has been heavily fading them as Michigan is taking 75% of total bets and 57% of the moneyline handle. The splits on the spread tell a different story as it is Villanova taking in 68% of bets and 73% of the handle.

Something that should have some light shined on it though in favor of the Wolverines is that in five games this season where they are a 5-point underdog or more, they have gone 4-1 against the spread.

#1 Arizona Vs. #5 Houston

Arizona Vs. Houston Odds

• Moneyline: Arizona (-130) vs. Houston (+110)
• Spread: Arizona -1.5
• Total: 145 Points

This matchup could be a great chance to fade the public as the Houston Cougars are not getting the credit that they deserve.

Although Arizona has won their last eight games, they have done a mediocre 4-4 job against the spread in that span. Not to mention, they are 0-2 ATS in the tournament. Houston on the other hand has gone 11-1 in their last 12 games and has gone a strong 10-2 against the spread.

The moneyline splits are seeing action on both sides as Arizona is taking 61% of the handle, but Houston is seeing 52% of the total bets. Arizona is also seeing taking in 68% of bets on the spread and 75% of the betting handle.

News tags: Arizona Wildcats | basketball | College Basketball | College Basketball Public Betting | Duke Blue Devils | Houston Cougars | March Madness | March Madness Public Betting | Michigan Wolverines | NCAA Tournament | Texas Tech Red Raiders | Villanova Wildcats