NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Future Bets: Can Clemson Tigers, Gonzaga Bulldogs Advance in March Madness?

The Midwest region is setting up as one of the most exciting regions on my end. Between the possible Round of 32 matchup between Houston and Gonzaga, Clemson’s possible deep tournament run yet again and the whole Rick Barnes can’t win in March narrative, this region is wide open. 

There are two teams in particular here that I am targeting at plus odds to make the Sweet 16 and survive the opening weekend. While one may not come as a surprise, the other will have to pull off what could be seen as a surprising upset in the Round of 32. 

Without further ado, here are two futures to make in the Midwest region. 

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NCAA Tournament Best Defensive Teams

Clemson to Make the Sweet 16 (+140) Click here to see which Sportsbook has the best odds 

Once again, I am looking at Clemson to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. This is a team that ranks inside the top 25 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and is arguably better than last year’s Tigers squad that made a run to the Elite Eight. 

Plus, coaching goes a long way in college basketball, and Clemson has one of the best and most underrated in Brad Brownell. While PJ Hall and sharpshooter Joe Girard have since departed, Clemson dipped its hands in the transfer portal and picked up several key players. 

The biggest change year of year has been Clemson’s defense. Viktor Lakhin is a strong rim protector and Jaeden Zackery is a pesky guard that averages over two steals per game. The Tigers are aggressive and have few weaknesses on the defensive end. 

While they did draw a first-round matchup with McNeese, the overpowering size of Lakhin and Ian Schieffelin should prove the difference. McNeese ranks 259th on the defensive glass and the Clemson frontcourt is very efficient at creating second-chance points. From just a size perspective, it’s a bit overpowering. 

Then Clemson likely draws Purdue, where the Tigers should be a favorite. This is another one that should favor Clemson given their defensive intensity and length, especially while defending the two-man game of Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn.

And that’s even if they get by High Point – I expect it, but it is a popular upset pick. Trust Brownell in March and take the plus money on Clemson who should get the job done and find itself in the second weekend yet again.

Gonzaga to Make the Sweet 16 (+340) Click here to see which Sportsbook has the best odds 

Despite ranking inside KenPom and Haslametrics’ top 10, Gonzaga was handed an eight seed. I’m not sure who should be more upset, the Zags or Houston. All other No. 1 seeds should have no issues making it to the second weekend. The Cougars can’t say that. 

Gonzaga was a team I was extremely high on to begin the season, and it took plenty of time for Mark Few’s squad to adjust. But now this team is playing great basketball – winners of nine of 10 – entering as WCC champs. 

The Zags enter March Madness with the No. 9 ranked offense in terms of efficiency. This is a team that can be inconsistent from 3 at times, but is difficult to stop between the two-man game of Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike. Oh, and the Zags have the fifth-lowest turnover rate and fifth-highest free-throw% in all of college basketball. Two major keys in tournament play.

While this Georgia team is no slouch, the Zags should control this matchup. Between experience and its frontcourt size, Gonzaga should have no issues establishing success inside. Georgia’s turnover issues and reliance on second-chance opportunities should be contained by Gonzaga.

Then you get Houston. This is a different Cougars team than in years past. Yes, Milos Uzan has stepped up significantly, but he is no Jamal Shead. Tack on an injury to J’Wan Roberts – he says he is OK, but we’ll see – and things have gotten a bit murky for Kelvin Sampson’s squad.

Gonzaga will enter this matchup as underdogs and rightfully so. I’m not saying they shouldn’t. But the Zags are very live in this matchup, and I’m happy to take a Sweet 16 ticket here in what should be a  down-to-the-wire affair.

Nembhard can handle the pressure thrown at him in the pick-and-roll, and Ike should be able to go tit for tat with Roberts, Tugler or whoever is thrown his way. If the Zags find their rhythm from 3, I’m not sure many teams can beat them. I’ll take my chances here with the analytics darling Zags.

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