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Caesars Sportsbook in Illinois is offering a Sweet 16 promotion for betting on March Madness.
New players at Caesars Illinois can receive up to $1,100 in first bet insurance with the promo code LEGALCZR, meaning that if you lose your first bet, it won’t affect your wallet.
Sign up and enter the Caesars Illinois promo code, then deposit $10 or more. Place your first real money bet – if you win, you get your winnings and drinks are on you! If you lose, Caesars will give you a bonus bet equal to your wager, up to $1,100.
The bonus bet will no longer be valid after 14 days from the date of issuance.
Sweet sounds of March
I wish there was a big sports event going on at this moment.
March Madness is ramping up with the Sweet 16 games taking place this Thursday and Friday. Eight games will feature college basketball’s top teams, or at least those that made it through the first rounds (looking at you, St. Peter’s). The action includes four games on Thursday and four games on Friday.
Below is an analysis of the eight Sweet 16 matchups, along with the complete March Madness betting odds at online Illinois sportsbooks (All times are in Central Standard Time).
Sweet 16 Saturday schedule
15 St. Peter’s at 3 Purdue, 6:09 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
The underdog team from Jersey City is the Cinderella story of the year. With a strong inside-out balance featuring KC Ndefo in the paint and sharpshooter Doug Edert coming off the bench, they have defied the odds. Making history as only the third 15 seed to reach the Sweet 16, this small school is making waves in the tournament.
Purdue easily advanced to the Sweet 16 with double-digit victories in both games. Their standout player, Jaden Ivey, is projected to be a top pick in the NBA draft. As the most dominant team in the Sweet 16, Purdue is the clear favorite.
4 Providence at 1 Kansas, 6:29 p.m. at United Center, Chicago
It’s been 24 years since the Friars made it to the Sweet 16, but they’re back in the tournament. Nate Watson is leading a well-rounded team that clinched the Big East regular-season title and is proving they may have been underestimated with their seeding.
The Jayhawks are no strangers to this situation, with a 30-6 record and a Big 12 championship under their belt. Remy Martin, who recently returned from an injury, led the team to victory in the second round against Creighton with an impressive 20-point performance.
8 North Carolina at 4 UCLA, 8:39 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
The two teams have a total of 17 NCAA titles between them, solidifying their status as Bluebloods in college sports.
Armando Bacot, the standout player for the Tar Heels in college basketball, is flying under the radar despite averaging an impressive 16 points and 12 rebounds this season. The Tar Heels’ confidence must be soaring after their overtime victory against defending champions Baylor.
The Bruins are guided by Team J, featuring guards Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr. It’s important to remember that West Coast teams are often underestimated.
11 Iowa State vs. 10 Miami, 8:59 p.m. at United Center, Chicago
Without St. Peter’s stealing the spotlight, attention would be on the underdog duo of Iowa State, who have pulled off two surprising victories against LSU and Wisconsin. Despite a recent losing streak, the Cyclones have amassed a 22-12 record and secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Miami defeated USC in a tight first-round match and went on to dominate Auburn. Guard Kameron McGusty led The U with an impressive 20 points in the victory against Auburn.
Darren Cooper is a frequent contributor to Play Illinois.
