2023 March Insanity predictions: Elite Eight professional picks in opposition to the unfold, NCAA bracket, recreation odds

After a wild week-and-a-half to start out the 2023 NCAA Match, the 68 groups within the subject we needed to start March Insanity has rapidly been minimize down to only eight as we head to the second weekend of the occasion. By the point Sunday turns to Monday, 4 extra groups will probably be minimize from the bracket with the others punching their tickets to the Ultimate 4.  

Saturday is when the image for the Ultimate 4 begins to come back into focus with solely two video games on the Elite Eight slate, each of that are in standalone home windows within the night. No. 3 seed Kansas State faces No. 9 seed FAU with the winner assured to make a primary look within the Ultimate 4 for the reason that growth period. For FAU, each recreation it wins is historic. The nightcap is a dandy that options No. 3 seed Gonzaga and No. 4 seed UConn with the Huskies an ever-so-slight betting favourite. These two have mixed for 3 Ultimate 4 berths within the final decade.

Sunday’s schedule is equally as jam-packed with No. 2 seed Texas set to fulfill No. 5 seed Miami. Contemporary off an upset of No. 1 seed Houston, the Hurricanes swirl into this one with a wave of momentum seeking to money in on their first Ultimate 4 journey. Additionally on deck: No. 5 seed San Diego State and No. 6 seed Creighton meet for South Regional bragging rights. Seize your popcorn. 

In fact, there’s nothing mistaken with getting some further pores and skin in these video games. Under, our CBS Sports activities specialists have supplied their perception with picks straight up and in opposition to the unfold for among the prime video games on the weekend slate. Our professional brackets might provide some assistance on this entrance as nicely.

Whereas surviving and advancing is clearly what issues for many, we care about whether or not these groups will cowl their spreads, and we have tracked the season since November to have the ability to provide our personal ideas on each recreation.

You should definitely keep on with CBS Sports activities all through the remainder of the NCAA Match for full March Insanity protection by the tip of the Ultimate 4. Let’s check out our professional picks for the Elite Eight.

Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook | All instances Jap

Elite Eight predictions, picks

(3) Kansas State vs. (9) FAU

Saturday, 6:09 p.m. | TBS, March Insanity Stay: FAU’s a greater workforce than its seed displays, however this is the kicker: Kansas State’s a greater workforce than its seed displays, too. The Jerome Tang-coached Wildcats can go deep into their bench and have the 2 finest gamers — by miles — on this recreation: Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson. If Nowell is ready to play unencumbered after the second-half ankle harm he picked up vs. Michigan State — possible given how nicely he performed within the second half and additional time Thursday — I am snug taking the higher workforce right here and laying the low quantity. Decide: Kansas State -2

(3) Gonzaga vs. (4) UConn

Saturday, 8:49 p.m. | TBS, March Insanity Stay: With all 4 of this yr’s No. 1 seeds eradicated earlier than the Elite Eight, UConn took the mantle because the betting favourite to win the nationwide championship at Caesars. That will change with Texas trouncing Xavier, however the level stays: UConn could be very a lot the workforce to beat on this recreation vs. Gonzaga (and arguably the workforce to beat within the subject, too). It’s taking part in just like the workforce midseason that raced out to a 14-0 lead and has the inside-out depth and expertise to take care of this balanced Zags bunch. Decide: UConn -2

(5) San Diego State vs. (6) Creighton

Sunday, 2:20 p.m. | CBS, March Insanity Stay: This line began at Creighton -1.5 and has already moved as much as Creighton -2, so I will lay the deuce anticipating that it might proceed transferring Creighton’s manner within the lead-up to Sunday. This workforce has the weapons to fight San Diego State’s defensive-minded unit that took down No. 1 general seed Alabama due to a novel mixture of guards, wings and bigs that match up favorably in opposition to the Aztecs on paper. Decide: Creighton -2

(2) Texas vs. (5) Miami

Saturday, 5:05 p.m. | CBS, March Insanity Stay: NCAA Match hero Dylan Disu performed solely briefly Friday vs. Xavier within the Candy 16, and it mattered not because the Longhorns trounced the Musketeers. Miami, which beat No. 1 seed Houston on Friday, is probably going to offer a little bit extra resistance, however I might nonetheless lean Longhorns right here with the quick quantity given their depth and expertise. Decide: Texas -4