NCAA Women’s Tournament best bets: Indiana vs. South Carolina odds, pick and prediction for 3/29

Indiana vs. South Carolina Odds

Friday, March 29, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.

Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana's Road to the Sweet 16

First round: vs. No. 13 Fairfield — 89-56 (IU -23.5, Over 139.5)
Second Round: vs. No. 5 Oklahoma — 75-68 (OU +8, Under 156.5)

Indiana was on the brink of elimination in the second round for the second straight year. The Hoosiers were down by as many as seven points late in the second half as the Sooners were able to get whatever they wanted on offense.

The game featured 21 lead changes before Indiana pulled away in the final minutes with free throws and defensive stops. The Hoosiers were led by All-American forward Mackenzie Holmes, who scored 29 points on 12-for-23 shooting from the field.

South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina's Road to the Sweet 16

First round: vs. No. 16 Presbyterian — 91-39 (PC +53.5; Under 130.5)
Second round: vs. No. 8 North Carolina: 88-41 (USC -21.5; Under 135.5)

People, including myself, were anxiously awaiting the matchup between South Carolina and North Carolina as the Tar Heels were one of the few teams to not get blown out by the Gamecocks during the regular season.

South Carolina, however, came out red-hot, overwhelming North Carolina to the tune of a 28-8 first quarter. It was a defensive masterclass for the Gamecocks as the Tar Heels finished the game with more turnovers (18) than made field goals (15).

Needless to say, any doubters of the Gamecocks were silenced after this showing.

Indiana vs. South Carolina

Betting Pick & Prediction

It may feel like the obvious play, but there is no choice but to bet the Gamecocks, especially since we’ve seen Big Ten schools struggle against better defenses in this tournament (Nebraska vs. Oregon State, Michigan State vs. UNC and Ohio State vs. Duke).

South Carolina has been stout on defense, but its offense has been thriving. The Gamecocks rank second in 3-point percentage this season and they are going up against a team that's 170th at guarding the 3. The size advantage will never not be there for South Carolina, even with former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Mackenzie Holmes, inside.

Lastly, the scariest part about South Carolina is its depth. The Hoosiers' bench put up 16 points in their win against Fairfield, but only one point against Oklahoma. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s bench outscored North Carolina 51-0. With players like Chloe Kitts and maybe the most skilled player in the country, freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, coming off the bench, take the Gamecocks to cover.

Pick: South Carolina -15.5 (-110; Play to -17.5); Play 1.5 units