Caesars Sportsbook has cooked up a Sweet 16 promotion. And you can bet on March Madness right here in Illinois.
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New players at Caesars Illinois can get first bet bonuses (basically, if you lose, you will receive site credits) up to $1,100 with the promo code LEGALCZR.
After you sign up and enter the Caesars Illinois promo code, make a deposit of $10 or more. Place your first real money bet. If you win, drinks are on you! Plus, you get your winnings. But if you lose, Caesars will give you a single bonus bet equal to your wager up to $1,100.
The bonus bet expires after 14 days after issuance.
Sweet sounds of March
If only there was a major sporting event happening right now.
Oh, wait! March Madness kicks into second gear with the Sweet 16 this Thursday and Friday. There are eight games pitting college basketball’s best teams or at least the teams that survived the first two rounds (I mean, St. Peter’s, really?). There are four games Thursday and four games Friday.
Here’s a breakdown of the eight Sweet 16 contests, as well as the full March Madness odds at online Illinois sportsbooks (All times are CST).
Sweet 16 Saturday schedule
15 St. Peter’s at 3 Purdue, 6:09 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
The small school in Jersey City is this year’s Cinderella story. They have a good inside-out balance with KC Ndefo inside and sharpshooter Doug Edert coming off the bench. They are only the third 15 seed to ever make the Sweet 16.
Purdue has cruised into the Sweet 16, winning both games by 10 points or more. They are led by future NBA lottery pick Jaden Ivey. They are the biggest favorites in the Sweet 16.
4 Providence at 1 Kansas, 6:29 p.m. at United Center, Chicago
The Friars are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1997. Nate Watson leads a balanced attack for a team that won the Big East regular-season title and may have been underseeded.
For the Jayhawks, this is familiar territory. Kansas is 30-6 and won the Big 12. Remy Martin (the player, not the drink) has come back strong from an injury, scoring 20 in Kansas’ second-round win over Creighton.
8 North Carolina at 4 UCLA, 8:39 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
These two teams combine for 17 NCAA titles. That’s the definition of a Blueblood.
The best player in college basketball no one is talking about is Armando Bacot for the Tar Heels. He averaged 16 and 12 this season. The Tar Heels have to feel good after beating defending champs Baylor in overtime.
The Bruins are led by Team J, guards Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Remember, West Coast teams get overlooked.
11 Iowa State vs. 10 Miami, 8:59 p.m. at United Center, Chicago
If it wasn’t for St. Peter’s, the nation would be talking about these two underdogs. Iowa State has bulled its way to two upset wins over LSU and Wisconsin. The Cyclones are 22-12 and had lost three straight before getting an NCAA Tournament bid.
Miami beat USC in a close first-round game and then trounced Auburn. The U is led by fantastic guard Kameron McGusty who had 20 in the win over Auburn.
— Darren Cooper regularly contributes to PlayIllinois.
