By the end of the day on Sunday, we'll officially have the Final Four set for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
But first, let's get our betting card set for the Elite 8 on Sunday thanks to three staff picks.
So, here's our Elite 8 picks and predictions, including March Madness best bets for Sunday, March 29.
Elite 8 Picks, Predictions
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 2:15 p.m. | |
  | 5:05 p.m. | |
| 5:05 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Tennessee vs. Michigan
By Ryan Minion
I expect the Wolverines to dominate this game, but I'm not taking a side or the total.
Instead, I'm focusing on a unique player prop.
Elliot Cadeau has been spectacular thus far in the NCAA Tournament, posting 11 points and nine assists on average. The Wolverines’ floor general is also grabbing nearly four rebounds per contest in the tournament.
In a game I expect Tennessee to rely on its defensive frontcourt to make stops against an explosive Michigan offense, I suspect that Dusty May’s squad will need to lean a little more on its point guard on the offensive end of the floor.
Michigan’s senior leader Yaxel Lendeborg is on an absolute tear, posting consecutive games with 23- and 25-point scoring efforts.
That said, I'm willing to bet that Rick Barnes’ defensive game plan will be to throw the kitchen sink at Lendeborg at all costs. The Wolverines will surely require a big performance from their primary offensive facilitator, Cadeau.
Thus, I'll be backing Cadeau to exceed his PRA total for the second leg of our SGP. The former Tar Heel guard should have insane usage.
I wouldn't be surprised if he soared way over his market number.
Pick: Elliot Cadeau Over 20.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists
UConn vs. Duke
By Evan Abrams
Duke just dropped 80 points on St. John's in a back-and-forth classic affair from Washington D.C.
Now the Blue Devils have to turn around and face UConn less than two days later, with a berth to the Final Four on the line.
Can the Blue Devils cover the spread? My system — "After Score 80, Fade on Quick Turn" — says no.
And this system has been reliable, posting a 2% return on investment historically with a 285-247-3 record overall (54%).
In college basketball, teams that score 80 or more points and then play again within one or two days often struggle to repeat that level of performance.
Quick turnarounds after strong offensive outings lead to fatigue, reduced shooting efficiency and limited preparation time, especially when the prior win was less dominant against the spread.
The market tends to overreact to recent scoring success, inflating expectations for teams that may not sustain their rhythm under short rest.
Defensive adjustments from opponents and regression to the mean often result in slower starts and tighter games.
Fading these teams capitalizes on inflated perception and natural performance drop-offs following brief recovery windows.
Pick: UConn +5.5
UConn vs. Duke
By Ryan Minion
UConn's experience will definitely be the difference in this contest. Duke has played against many talented opponents over the course of the season, but none can match the level of intensity and determination employed by head coach Dan Hurley.
Talent-wise, there's no doubt that Duke matches up very well with just about anyone, but Jon Scheyer still has a very young lineup. And when it comes to prevailing in March, there's no other head coach in the entire country I would rather have than Hurley.
I can see why most are picking the top-seeded Blue Devils to prevail, thus advancing to consecutive Final Fours.
However, I love the Huskies as an underdog in this spot, and I have a ton of faith in Hurley, who's shown time and time again that teamwork, grit and relentless determination are the keys to reigning supreme in March.
I'm holding a futures ticket on UConn to win the East Region at +480, but I'll still be backing the Huskies on both the moneyline and on the spread.
I fully expect UConn to pull off the upset and advance to its first Final Four since 2024.
Pick: UConn ML +180
