2009 Sweet 16 Betting Trends to Consider

Higher seeds during the second round of March Madness were 15-1 straight-up and 12-4 ATS, but will it continue during Thursday's Sweet Sixteen?

The chalk winners last weekend made for one of the biggest payouts for Sportsbook.com members in history, and we're previewing the four games on Thursday  night to see if the winning can continue.

Purdue (+6.5) at Connecticut - 7:07 pm ET

Purdue is only one of two Big Ten teams to advance to the Sweet Sixteen to go along with Michigan State. Collectively, the Big Ten is 6-5 straight-up and 4-7 ATS. Only a tiny 14% of Sportsbook.com members are taking the Boilermakers and the points.

UConn has looked like a juggernaut so far in easily covering their first two games over Chattanooga and Texas A&M. The Huskies were being talked about as the weakest of all the number one seeds and they seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder because of it.

Xavier (+7) at Pittsburgh - 7:27 pm ET

Xavier is a number four seed and the only remaining team from the Atlantic 10. With all 1-3 seeds still alive, the only ‘lower seed' teams left are Gonzaga (#4), Purdue (#5) and Arizona (#12). However, 52% of members like Xavier and the seven points.

The Big East had five of their seven tournament teams make the Sweet 16, but Pittsburgh has been shaky as a #1 seed, going 0-2 ATS and feeling the heat in both games. Overall, the Big East stands at 11-2 straight-up and 6-7 ATS.

Missouri (+4.5) at Memphis - 9:37 pm ET

Missouri is part of a Big 12 conference that proved they were underrated with an 8-3 record so far and having three teams advance to the Sweet 16. The Big 12 is also a tremendous 11-1 ATS.

Memphis is getting 80% of the backing from Sportsbook.com members and that's a little surprising because Missouri's fast pace style can match Memphis.

Villanova (+2.5) at Duke - 9:57 pm ET

Duke and North Carolina are the only teams from the ACC to advance to this week and the conference only has a .500 record straight-up to go along with a paltry 3-6-1 ATS mark.

Villanova is getting 66% of the betting public behind them with the point spread. That's pretty good considering they are a three seed and Duke is a two. Nova is also very attractive with the Money Line at +120. 

Be sure to check out Sportsbook.com for all the latest Sweet 16 betting odds and cash promotions here