The dust has settled on a dramatic second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, leaving a trail of unexpected results and a wide-open path to the Final Four. While some top seeds cruised through the early rounds, others were pushed to the brink by scrappy underdogs. Meanwhile, lower-seeded teams continued their Cinderella runs, rewriting the script and injecting excitement into the national narrative.

Tar Heels Punch Ticket to Sweet Sixteen

Whew, that was a close one! The North Carolina Tar Heels had to dig deep to overcome a rough start against Michigan State. They were down by 12 points early, but did they ever turn things around? RJ Davis went off for 20 points, leading the charge with some clutch shots. Harrison Ingram wasn’t far behind, draining 5 three-pointers and putting up 17 points. Talk about a scoring duo.

The Tar Heels’ defense also stepped up big time, forcing a whopping 11 turnovers from the Spartans while only committing 5 themselves. That’s their best showing in the NCAA Tournament since 2017 – they’re playing some lockdown D! Now they’re headed to Los Angeles for the Sweet Sixteen, where they’ll face off against Alabama. Fun fact: UNC actually has a winning record against the Crimson Tide, sitting at 8-5 all-time.

The oddsmakers seem to like the Tar Heels’ chances this year too. Depending on where you place your bet, you could see a return of $1300 to $2000 for every $100 you wager on a UNC championship win (though remember, gamble responsibly!). Whether you’re betting on the “Big Dance” or NFL today games, gambling laws and regulations can vary by location, so be sure to follow pertinent rules and gamble responsibly. No matter who you’re cheering for, this is gonna be an exciting Sweet Sixteen matchup!

Rough Ride in College Station: Can the Coogs Keep it Up?

Yikes, that Texas A&M game was a nail-biter! The Cougars, usually known for their lockdown defense, got into early foul trouble. It wasn’t pretty – missed shots, some head-scratching decisions – and things almost went south before they pulled it out in overtime. Emmanuel Sharp, for his part, picked a great game to explode for his career high in points (30). The sophomore guard from Tampa shot 50% from the field, including a highly efficient 7-14 from behind the arc before fouling out.

Here’s the worry: Coach Kelvin Sampson leans heavily on his starters, especially J’Wan and Ramon, who are just getting healthy again. This win showed the team’s heart, but also its weak spots. Sure, Jamal and L.J. (21 and 20 points, respectively) were lighting it up on offense, but when they fouled out, Houston’s bench looked thin. So, the big question is: can the Coogs keep up their defensive intensity if they have to rely on less experienced players?

• Championship Odds: +500

UConn: The Huskies Are on Fire

The reigning champion UConn Huskies are absolutely rolling right now! They just crushed Northwestern in the second round, making it eight straight wins in the NCAA Tournament – and all by double digits! That ties them for the second-longest winning streak ever in the tournament, with only the Michigan State Spartans of 2000-2001 ahead of them.

One player who’s really stepped up is Donovan Clingan. He’s been a beast on both offense and defense, leading some analysts to say this UConn team might be even STRONGER than last year’s championship squad. With this kind of dominance, everyone’s wondering: is there anyone who can stop them?

• Feeling lucky? Their championship odds are currently at +210.

Duke Freshman Goes Off, Blue Devils Sweet Sixteen Bound

Freshman sensation Jared McCain stole the show for Duke this weekend. He caught fire from beyond the arc, raining down a ridiculous eight three-pointers on his way to a career-high 30 points. That kind of scoring outburst helped the Blue Devils dismantle James Madison 93-55 and punch their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen. But it wasn’t a one-man show. The rest of the Duke squad got in on the action too, with all four starters reaching double digits. Tyrese Proctor chipped in a solid 18 points, Jeremy Roach added 15 points and Kyle Filipowski wasn’t far behind with 14 points.

The Blue Devils were lights-out from three-point land, draining a season-high 14 threes on a whopping 28 attempts. Talk about hot hands! Their defense was stifling as well, forcing James Madison into 14 turnovers compared to just 6 of their own. That dominance translated into a massive 24-4 advantage in points off turnovers – ouch! Now Duke sets their sights on Dallas, where they’ll face a tough test against the top-seeded Houston Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen. Buckle up, college basketball fans – this is gonna be a good one.

• Championship Odds: +2500

The Cats Keep Rollin’ into the Sweet Sixteen

The Arizona Wildcats are heating up at the right time. They just soared past Dayton 78-68 to land a spot in the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in three years. Leading the charge was Caleb Love, who dropped a cool 19 points. He’s definitely showing off those scoring skills he picked up during his championship run with North Carolina. The whole team was on fire offensively, hitting over half their shots and draining eight three-pointers – talk about a shooting clinic.

Arizona came out strong, building a big lead early on. Dayton wasn’t about to give up without a fight, though. They clawed their way back with a 10-0 run, fueled by a monster performance from DaRon Holmes II (23 points, 11 rebounds). But the Wildcats stayed cool under pressure, sinking clutch free throws in the final minute to secure the win. Now they head to Los Angeles for the Sweet Sixteen, where they’ll face #6 Clemson. One thing’s for sure – Arizona has a shot at making it to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015, and they’re not backing down!

• Championship Odds: +800

Don’t Sleep on Purdue’s Sharpshooters

Sure, Zach Edey is a beast down low for Purdue – everyone knows that. But this team is much more than just their giant center! They showed off their shooting skills against Marquette, draining threes at a crazy 47.8% clip.

Guards like Myles Colvin, Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, and Lance Jones were all lighting it up from downtown, which created a ton of space for Edey to work his magic inside. This kind of offensive balance makes Purdue a dangerous team – they can beat you in multiple ways. Don’t be surprised if they make a deep run in this tournament. They’re definitely a real threat to win it all!

• Championship Odds: +600

The 2024 NCAA Tournament has been a testament to the unpredictable nature of March Madness. Upsets have been plentiful, and lower-seeded teams have captured the hearts of fans. As the Sweet Sixteen unfolds, one thing is certain: the road to the Final Four remains wide open, and any team can emerge as the last team standing.