And just like that we're into the Sweet 16. This is what makes March Madness so much fun. We had 68 teams just a couple of days ago and then – wham! – we're down to 16.

And what a Sweet 16 it is this year.  

Let’s start with this year’s Cinderella, the North Carolina State Wolfpack, who have been on tear for the last couple of weeks, coming out of nowhere to win the ACC Tournament and have just kept the momentum going.  

They’re the lowest seeded team in the Sweet 16, a No. 11 Seed. And woo-hoo do they face a nasty opponent in the Marquette Golden Eagles, who are looking to be legitimate national title contenders, with their gritty win over Colorado. As a 2 Seed, Marquette is the favorite in this one, with the spread at -6.5. The Moneyline: Marquette -300, NC State +240. Over/Under: 150.5. 

But don’t be surprised if the Wolfpack somehow keep their Cinderella run going. 

The lowest seed to advance to the Sweet 16 is the Clemson Tigers (another ACC team, a 6th Seed), which will face another No. 2 Seed in the Arizona Wildcats. Neither team has received all that much hype, although Arizona is playing very, very well, which is why they’re the favorites at -7.5. Moneyline: Arizona -325, Clemson +260. Over/Under: 150.5.  

You always want to see the underdog win in March Madness (unless the favorite is your team, of course), but expect the Wildcats to bite the Tigers on this one. 

Next up is an awesome grudge match, 5th Seed San Diego State Aztecs against the No. 1 overall Seed UConn Huskies in a rematch of last year’s title game. UConn is gunning for back-to-back titles, no easy feat in March Madness, while San Diego State wants revenge.  

This will be a good game, based on the narrative and emotions alone. But UConn has the superior firepower. They’re favored by 10 points. Moneyline: UConn: -470, San Diego State: +360. Over/Under: 134. UConn is almost sure to prevail.  

Another juicy Thursday game is No. 4 Seed the Alabama Crimson Tide against the No. 1 Seed North Carolina Tarheels. Bama can score with anyone, we all know that, but they’ve finally showed they can play a little defense in their game against Grand Canyon on Sunday.  

North Carolina – the alma mater of the GOAT – is another story entirely, though. UNC has looked like legit contenders all season and the Crimson Tide are going to have to raise their game to another level if they expect to compete with Michael Jordan’s college team.  

The spread: North Carolina -3.5 (but that’s only because Bama can score). Moneyline: North Carolina -185, Alabama +154. Over/Under: 175. (See? You’re gonna get points in this one.) 

The last Thursday game is probably gonna be the best one of the day, 3 Seed Illinois Illini vs. 2 Seed Iowa State Cyclones. You’ve got two solid-as-hell squads with chips on their shoulders going right at each other. Both are worthy Final Four contenders. Both feel maybe a little under appreciated. But only one is going to win.  

Iowa state is 2.5 favorite over Illinois. Moneyline: Iowa State -145, Illinois +120. Over/Under 146.5. No prediction for this one. It could go either way. 

Friday’s slate is headlined by the NC State-Marquette matchup, just because NC State’s our Cinderella this year. But the other three games could end up being some serious shootouts.  

5th Seed Gonzaga Bulldogs face the No. 1 Seed Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue has had the look of a champion all season, but the Zags, despite their “down” year, have played well in the tournament, beating off feisty McNeese State and, oh, the Kansas Jayhawks.  

Purdue’s the favorite at -4.5. Moneyline: Purdue -160, Gonzaga +194. Over/Under: 153.5.  

This is Purdue’s game to lose, but Gonzaga should make it tough for the Boilermakers. And I don’t know that I’d actually want to bet against the Bulldogs in this one. 

Another Friday contest: No. 4 Seed the Duke Blue Devils against the No. 1 Seed the Houston Cougars. The Blue Devils are the epitome of a college basketball blue blood. Houston has been one of the top teams all season long. Houston should win – they look like a Final Four team for sure – but they’re going to have to beat the standard bearer to get there.  

The Spread: Houston -4. Moneyline: Houston -192, Duke +160. Over/Under 133. It’s gotta be Houston, right? 

And finally, the last game on the schedule: No. 3 Seed the Creighton Bluejays vs. the No. 2 Seed Tennessee Volunteers. Creighton is sort of the epitome of a mid-major. Gonzaga’s a mid-major, too. But the Zags have been so good for so long, they’re basically an elite college basketball program. Creighton? Do most fans even know Creighton, a little Jesuit school out of Omaha, Nebraska?  

Well, they can ball and they’re going to give Tennessee a headache for sure. Remember, the Bluejays knocked off UConn during the regular season.  

The spread: Tennessee -2.5. Moneyline: Tennessee -155, Creighton +125. Over/Under 143.5.  

Here’s another one I won’t make a prediction on. Too close if you ask me.  

Enjoy the Madness a little while longer. This tournament, as fun as it is, ends way too quick.