Sweet 16 player prop bets, odds & upset picks for this week's March Madness games

Although many bemoaned the lack of upsets and buzzer-beaters in the first few rounds of March Madness, we did get exciting moments and some nail-biters in terms of covering point spreads. Plus, the fact so many favorites prevailed means we get to enjoy some brilliant matchups the rest of the way.

The action picks back up with the Sweet 16 this week. Including first-half, full-game and in-game betting, sporting betting sites and sportsbook apps in many states also offer player prop odds as additional options for bettors to work with. We’ve found our favorite March Madness player props for the Sweet 16 at the top-rated sportsbooks in the US.

Keep reading for our top player prop bets, plus a bonus top upset pick to consider among the first four Sweet 16 showdowns.

Check and bet: Best NC sportsbook promos | Sports betting bonuses nationwide | March Madness odds, TV schedule, betting promos, results | Sweet 16 odds, ATS predictions | Women's Sweet 16 betting | College sports betting rules by state

Best March Madness player prop bets for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games

Choosing the right player props requires identifying matchups you like, team weaknesses that can be exploited and projecting how well or poorly someone will fare on the biggest stage. Let’s look at who to ride, fade and how to do it.

Clemson vs. Arizona prop pick: PJ Hall 2+ Made Threes 

Clemson coach Brad Brownell looked like he wanted to strangle Hall for consistently picking up needless fouls that ultimately led to his disqualification late in the win over Baylor, but the 6-foot-10 center is still his team’s catalyst. He averaged 18.5 points and will be essential to the Tigers’ upset bid in that he can step out and shoot the 3, taking Arizona out of its defensive comfort zone. Hall has played just 19 minutes in each of his team’s wins due to the foul issues but is a strong shooter, coming in 2-for-4 from beyond the arc in this tournament. He’s made two or more 3-pointers in 18 of 34 contests. 

Betting preview: Clemson vs. Arizona odds, prediction, trends

NC State vs. Marquette prop: Michael O’Connell OVER 4.5 assists 

Marquette’s Tyler Kolek will be the best guard on the floor, but O’Connell has helped key NC State’s resurgence. He’s got a 14-to-3 assist-to-turnover ratio in this tourney and has played 30 or more minutes in seven straight games after doing so just four times until the season-altering ACC Tournament. Expect O’Connell to continue being NC State’s primary playmaker, making this a low bar for him to clear in what should be a fast-paced game.

Betting preview: NC State vs. Marquette odds, predictions, trends

Gonzaga vs. Purdue prop: Anton Watson UNDER 21.5 points + rebounds

Watson has had a huge tournament so far, flirting with a triple-double against McNeese State (13-13-9) and finishing with 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting against Kansas. Still, Zach Edey’s presence and Mark Few’s gameplan to work through Graham Ike means Watson’s role should change some. He can be shaky at the free-throw line and is hit-or-miss as a rebounder, so we’ll fade his production here.

Gonzaga vs. Purdue prop bet: Zach Edey UNDER 38.5 points + rebounds

Edey is averaging 26.5 points and 17.5 rebounds in this Big Dance, but he’s played overmatched opponents up front in lopsided wins. This number has eye candy written over it since it isn’t over 40, and Edey has surpassed it in six of his last eight games. However, Ike, Watson, Ben Gregg and Braden Huff form the best resistance Purdue’s 7-foot-4 giant has seen in some time. He’ll also need his frontcourt cohorts to aid the cause for the Boilers to beat the Zags, so don’t be surprised if he isn’t featured as heavily as he’s been.

Betting preview: Gonzaga vs. Purdue odds, predictions, trends

Alabama vs. North Carolina prop: Mark Sears OVER 22.5 points

This may not be a full-on track meet since the Tar Heels don’t operate as fast under Hubert Davis as they did Roy Williams, but Alabama will push at all costs. Sears (21.5 ppg) is averaging 28 points per game in this tourney, gets to the stripe as well as anyone in the country and will mostly be checked by a freshman. Sparty’s Tyson Walker scored 24 against UNC last weekend, and Sears has scored 20 or more points in 16 of 17 games. Expect the Crimson Tide’s driving force to be on his game as he looks to lead ‘Bama past the West region’s top seed.

Betting preview: Alabama vs. UNC odds, props, predictions

Bonus March Madness prop pick: Biggest blowout of Thursday's Sweet 16 games

FanDuel has a prop up looking to identify Thursday’s most lopsided result, and although San Diego State-UConn is favored (+160), the plus-money odds make it worth the gamble. 

Sure, UNC and Alabama could get out of hand given the anticipated pace if one team gets hot and the other struggles mightily. Iowa State and Illinois have been in their share of blowouts, but oddsmakers anticipate their matchup will be Thursday’s tightest. Arizona could squash Clemson, but that game may be tighter than expected.

UConn covered against the Aztecs in last April’s National Championship and outscored its first two opponents, Stetson and Northwestern, by a combined score of 166-110, cashing each time. The Huskies are a double-digit favorite against SDSU, and head coach Dan Hurley is adamant about keeping his foot on the gas for 40 minutes.

Back UConn on this prop.

Best March Madness outright upset pick for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games

Clemson (+250) vs. Arizona

Since it's unlikely UConn gets upset at TD Garden, the next best option to give you the most bang for your buck would be the No. 6 seed Tigers taking down No. 2 Arizona. The Wildcats let Dayton hang around despite the Flyers' rough shooting day and looked vulnerable against pressure. Clemson controlled both games against New Mexico and Baylor, trailing for just 31 seconds in the opening minute of Game 1. The Tigers won’t lack confidence, owning wins over North Carolina and Alabama as proof they can hang with the big boys.

Where to bet Sweet 16 in North Carolina

The launch of sports betting in North Carolina has been boosted by three teams from the state -- the UNC Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils and NC State Wolfpack -- advancing to the Sweet 16. If you're in North Carolina and would like to bet on the Sweet 16, check out these sports betting apps and sportsbook promos to help you get started: