Villanova vs. Duke Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament Odds

Villanova vs. Duke Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament betting odds were listed at Duke -2 at SBG Global.  Villanova was the single most bet on team heading into the Sweet 16 competition.   They were getting 90 percent of the money line action and up to 70 percent of the spread action.  This was the most bet on game early on.

Villanova would pay $2000 for every $100 bet if they were to win the NCAA Tournament championship while Duke would pay out $1500 at SBG Global.

"Both these teams are well liked by the gambling public," remarked Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com.  "And this is evident by the current betting trend which sees this as the most anticipated game of the tournament early on."

It's also the last game to be played on Thursday night.

The Wildcats will make their 16th Sweet Sixteen appearance. It's also Villanova's fourth appearance in five years under Jay Wright.

A 19-2 run early in the first half gave Villanova the lead and four field goals and six turnovers in the first 12 minutes of the game by UCLA helped Villanova maintain that lead.

Dante Cunningham scored 18 points Saturday, helping Villanova reach the Sweet 16 round with an 89-69 victory over UCLA that ended the Bruins' bid for a fourth straight Final Four appearance.

"That was a fun game to be a part of," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "We have so much respect for the UCLA tradition. They are tough. To get to three straight Final Fours is amazing. You get fired up to play a team like that."

Duke, meanwhile, held on to beat Texas and advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2006.

Gerald Henderson scored 24 points and hit three free throws in the final minute, Singler added 17 points before fouling out late and Scheyer added 13 for the second-seeded Blue Devils (30-6). The Atlantic Coast Conference tournament champs and winners of five straight will face third-seeded Villanova (28-7) on Thursday night in Boston.

"These last two weekends have been so gratifying to me, because it's a culmination of a lot of work and commitment," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "I've been a part of a bunch of championships -- ACC, Final Fours, national championships. But to do it with this group feels great."

The Blue Devils shot 50 percent from the three point line as a team.