basketball

2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for Elite 8 games

By Matt Russell,Frank Schwab,Matt JacobYahoo Sports

Our experts give their favorite wagers for Saturday's Elite Eight games.

The 2026 NCAA tournament continues this weekend with four more exciting matchups, including No. 3 Illinois taking on surprise Elite Eight team No. 9 Iowa.

The first rounds of March Madness saw plenty of favorites win — all 16 favored teams won on Friday for the first time since 1992 — but also its share of upsets (see: Iowa beating No. 1 Florida). What's in store for the Elite Eight?

Below you'll find the favorite wagers for all the games from our college basketball handicappers — Corbie Craig, Matt Jacob, Matt Russell and Frank Schwab. Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season All odds courtesy of BetMGM . Best bets for Elite Eight games No.

9 Iowa vs. No. 3 Illinois (-7.