The Big Ten asserted itself on Thursday, as three conference members advanced to the Elite Eight: Iowa, Purdue and Illinois.
In-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State will look to push that number to five tonight.
Michigan may be involved in an up-and-down affair with Alabama, which will benefit Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr. But first, we'll begin in the East region, where Ian Jackson will look to help St. John's knock off Duke.
Let's dive into my NCAA Tournament player props and college basketball picks for the Sweet 16 games on Friday, March 27.
NCAA Tournament Player Props for Friday, March 27
- Ian Jackson Over 7.5 Points (-140 · Fanatics)
- Morez Johnson Jr. Over 14.5 Points (-135 · DraftKings)
- Elliot Cadeau Over 6.5 Assists (-125 · bet365)
St. John's vs Duke Player Prop Pick
Jackson began his college career at North Carolina. Though it didn't work out for him in Chapel Hill, he still has a healthy dislike for Duke, which he certainly got across in a post-practice interview.
Tonight, Jackson gets another shot at the Blue Devils, this time with St. John's in the Sweet 16.
Jackson averaged 9.6 points per game for the Red Storm this season. He has nearly matched that number on the nose in the NCAA Tournament with nine points against Northern Iowa and 10 against Kansas.
Jackson has scored eight points in 63% of his games this season, as well as in two of his three matchups against Duke last season.
The line is a basket lower tonight because of the difficult matchup Duke presents. The Blue Devils lead the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency.
However, to pull the upset, St. John's will need Jackson to make shots from the perimeter.
Its two leading scorers, forwards Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, may find it difficult to score on the interior, particularly with Duke getting center Patrick Ngongba II back against TCU.
Duke held TCU leading scorer David Punch to four points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field after he scored 16 points against Ohio State.
Jackson hasn't shot all that well from the field himself, but it hasn't stopped him from clearing this line. If he knocks down a pair of 3s tonight, he'll be well on his way to scoring eight points.
Pick: Ian Jackson Over 7.5 Points
Alabama vs Michigan Player Prop Pick
After transferring from Illinois, Johnson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and made the Big Ten All-Defensive team. He helped Michigan win a Big Ten regular-season title and reach the conference tournament championship game.
However, it did so without Johnson being much of a factor in the Big Ten Tournament.
Johnson has picked it up again, as he's averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament. He's now up to 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the season.
Tonight, he should have a matchup to shine in once again.
Alabama ranks 59th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 62nd in effective field-goal percentage defense.
The Crimson Tide will also be at a size disadvantage against Michigan's massive frontcourt when Johnson shares the floor with Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara. That will bring the glass into play, but Alabama ranks just 287th in defensive rebounding percentage.
Johnson grabs 2.4 offensive rebounds per game and is proficient at scoring second-chance buckets. He also may not need too many of them, as he's shooting 63.6% from the field this season.
It will help if a few of them are set up by his point guard.
Pick: Morez Johnson Jr. Over 14.5 Points
Alabama vs Michigan Player Prop Prediction
If Johnson and the Michigan frontcourt dominate tonight, Cadeau could have a field day setting the table.
While averaging 5.6 assists per game for the season, Cadeau has had seven assists in four of his last five games. He had nine dimes against Howard and seven against Saint Louis in Michigan's first two NCAA Tournament games.
The Wolverines' team total comes in at 91.5 — 7.5 points lower than the 98 they're averaging in the tournament. Alabama wants to push pace, and Michigan isn't shy about getting in an uptempo game as well.
That means this game should have a lot of possessions, and Cadeau should find his teammates for some easy baskets in transition.
Additionally, Cadeau should be motivated to have a big game tonight.
While at UNC, Alabama head coach Nate Oats made it a point to leave Cadeau unguarded on the perimeter. While he did knock down two 3s, he was benched after going 3-for-9 from the field as Alabama defeated North Carolina in the Sweet 16.
Cadeau will look to help Michigan advance to the Elite Eight tonight, and a double-double wouldn't surprise me if Oats opts for the same strategy.
Pick: Elliot Cadeau Over 6.5 Assists
