The NCAA men's basketball tournament's second weekend begins on Thursday, featuring five Canadian players still competing in the Sweet 16.
From the standout performance of Pac-12 Player of the Year Bennedict Mathurin to essential contributors like Andrew Nembhard from Gonzaga and Caleb Houstan from Michigan, Canadian talents are positioned to shine as the tournament becomes more intense.
The presence of Canadian players in the event could attract the attention of enthusiasts who are interested in betting.Ontario sports betting a little extra reason to make a wager.
Currently, wagering is exclusively on PROLINE+. However, this will change with the anticipated launch of iGaming in Ontario on April 4.
Let's take a closer look at the Canadian players to watch for during the Sweet 16 matchups this Thursday and Friday.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Title Odds
🏀 Gonzaga (Andrew Nembhard) | +230 |
🏀 Arizona (Bennedict Mathurin) | +500 |
🏀 Purdue (Zach Edey) | +230 |
🏀 Michigan (Caleb Houstan) | +5000 |
🏀 Providence (Matteus Case) | +5000 |
Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
When it comes to influencing their teams, few Canadian players have made as significant an impact as Bennedict Mathurin, a sophomore at the University of Arizona.
Hailing from Montreal, Mathurin was honored with the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year award for the 2021-2022 season, largely due to his impressive shooting precision. He led the Wildcats in scoring with an average of 17.8 points per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 45.5%.
His exceptional abilities on both offense and defense helped propel Arizona to a remarkable 31-3 record by the time March Madness began, enabling the Wildcats to earn their first No. 1 seed in eight years.
As a crucial player, Mathurin is a big reason why Arizona is considered among the top contenders for the 2022 NCAA Championship, with betting odds placing the Wildcats at No. 3 overall across various mobile betting platforms, with odds ranging around +500 from BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook.DraftKings Sportsbook ) to +600 (FanDuel Sportsbook).
In their 20th Sweet 16 appearance, Mathurin and the Wildcats will enter the game as a two-point favorite against Houston, with tip-off scheduled for 9:59 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga
Among the standout players on the tournament's top overall seed is a senior guard from Aurora, Ontario.
This player is averaging 12 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, recently bursting onto the scene with a notable 23-point performance during Gonzaga's 82-78 victory over Memphis in the second round of the tournament on Saturday night.
This senior guard is enjoying a breakout season, registering career highs in all listed statistical areas, with a remarkable 86.8% free-throw shooting rate and 38.5% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Additionally, he has maintained a shooting percentage of 46.2% from the field this season, marking the second-highest of his college career.
The Bulldogs are currently viewed as the favorites to win the NCAA Championship, with odds varying from +200 on DraftKings Sportsbook to +240.FanDuel Sportsbook .
This senior from Ontario will join his teammates from Gonzaga in their Sweet 16 clash against Arkansas, which tips off at 7:09 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
Caleb Houstan, Michigan
A promising freshman forward from Mississauga has emerged as one of the standout additions to Michigan's roster this season under coach Juwan Howard.
Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, the freshman is averaging 10.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, and he is expected to play a key role as the Wolverines aim to reach the Elite Eight.
Houstan scored 13 points in Michigan's 75-63 win over Colorado State in the opening round but faced challenges in their second-round matchup against Tennessee, where he was held scoreless for 32 minutes during the team's 76-68 victory.
The freshman is eager to take on a more prominent role offensively as the Wolverines prepare for their Sweet 16 matchup against Villanova, which starts at 7:29 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
Regarding Michigan's odds to win the NCAA title, the current figures stand at +5000 on BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook.
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Wolverines at +6000, while FanDuel Sportsbook offers odds of +6500 for Michigan.
Zach Edey, Purdue
The 7-foot-4 center from Toronto has been a dominant presence in the paint for the Purdue Boilermakers this season, setting the stage for their Sweet 16 bout against No. 15 seed St. Peter’s on Friday.
This sophomore center has averaged 14.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game with an impressive shooting rate of 64.7%, nearly doubling his previous year's averages of 8.7 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Edey has excelled in the tournament, scoring in double figures consistently over the last five games, including a remarkable 27-point performance in just 35 minutes combined during Purdue's victories over Yale (78-56) and Texas (81-71).
The Boilermakers are aiming for a spot in the Elite Eight when they face off against St. Peter’s at 7:09 p.m. Friday, with current championship odds listed at +800 on FanDuel, +900 on BetMGM and DraftKings Sportsbook, and +1000 on Caesars Sportsbook.
Matteus Case, Providence
Among the Canadian contingent, Case faces the biggest challenge in seeking to secure the championship hardware in New Orleans next month, as the Friars prepare to take on top-seeded Kansas this Friday.
Hailing from Pickering, Ontario, this player has had limited opportunities under Friars coach Ed Cooley, featuring in just four games this season with an average of 1.0 points per game for Providence.
The Friars, aiming to advance to the Elite Eight, will take the court at 7:29 p.m. Eastern time on Friday against the Jayhawks.
In limited action, the freshman logged just one minute during Providence's 79-51 victory over Richmond in the second round, marking his first playing time since January 1.
Providence's current odds of clinching the 2022 NCAA title sit at +5000 on BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook, while DraftKings Sportsbook lists them at +7000, and FanDuel Sportsbook carries odds of +7500.
Fromdeereplanet.com
