12:15 PM (8) Louisville -2.5 vs (9)Creighton
My Pick: Louisville -2.5 (sprinkle Kalkbrenner over points)
-Louisville has lost 2 games since December 14th, they are extremely underseeded and head coach Pat Kelsey has them bought in on playing as underdogs after their performance the last two seasons. Creighton won’t go down easy, with Kalkbrenner and Ashworth possessing an immense amount of tournament experience, but ultimately I think the Cards play more to where they should've been seeded (5-6) as opposed to where they are seeded.
12:40 PM (4)Purdue -7.5 vs (13)High Point
My Pick: High Point
My plays: High Point +8.5, (sprinkle the over, and Kezza Giffa over points)
Obviously this comes with a lot of bias, but I really do think High Point has a chance. I think it goes one of two ways, either back and forth with High Point running away at the end, or Purdue absolutely dominates. The reason I lean High Point is simply due to their pace, if they can lock in on defense, and chase Braeden Smith and Loyer off the catch into the paint, they have a chance. They have the length and quickness to make Purdue uncomfortable on offense, and the speed downhill to force Matt Painter to go to his bench early.
1:30 PM (3)Wisconsin -17.5 vs (14)Montana
My Pick: Wisconsin
My plays: Wisconsin -17.5, Jon Tonje over points
This is one of the weaker 3-14 games, and will probably be one of the more boring games of the first round. Coming off a Big Ten championship loss, in which he scored 9 points on 1-14 FG, I think Jon Tonje will come out with a vengeance, most likely scoring 30(if he's not sitting by halftime), congrats to Montana on making the tournament, but it sucks they get matched up with a team like Wisconsin, who possesses experience and talent that will get them far in the tournament.
1:30 PM (1)Houston -28.5 vs (16)SIU
My Pick: Houston
My play: Nothing this game will be classified as murder, and if you're betting on this game call the hotline.
2:00 PM (1)Auburn -31.5 vs (16) ASU
My Pick: Auburn
My plays: read the above game
Shoutout ASU though they started off March with a bang and played an awesome game on Wednesday.
2:50 PM (5) Clemson -7.5 vs (12) McNeese
My Pick: Clemson -7.5
My Play: McNeese 1H ML
Obviously, McNeese is one of the most hyped up teams in the country. Their manager Amir Khan is everywhere on social media, and they have one of the best coaches in the country in Will Wade. They play extremely quick and force a lot of turnovers through steals, and boast one of the best EFG% in the country. That being said, Clemson plays exactly to McNeeses weaknesses. I do think it will be close, but the combination of Clemson's pace, 3p shooting, and defense, I think the team who plays the same exact style, but in a P5 conference, will prevail.
3:15 PM (6) BYU-2.5 vs (11) VCU
My Pick: BYU
My plays: Egor Demin over 17.5 PRA
BYU is one of the hottest teams in the country now, and is extremely battle tested. They have beaten both Arizona State and Iowa State (2x) in the last 3 weeks. VCU is one of the best mid majors in the country, but I think they rely too much on their backcourt for production. While they do very well on the boards, and on the interior, I don't think they have the size or length to guard all 4 of Egor Demin, Kanon Catchings, Fousseyni Traore, and Keba Keta, who all average over 7 points per game. They will hold their own, but in the end BYU will suffocate them with a big lineup.
4:05 PM (8) Gonzaga -6.5 vs (9) Georgia
My Pick: Gonzaga
My plays: Gonzaga alt spread -9.5
While I love the wins Georgia has this year, Gonzaga has been one of the better March teams the last few years, while they haven't put it together fully this year, I do think they possess the experience and poise to win this game with ease. All of their starters are versatile and average over 10 a game, and their point guard Ryan Nembhard runs the offense and gets his players easy shots. I think Georgia becomes flustered early and loses this one by a bit.
4:35 PM (2) Tennessee -18.5 vs (15) Wofford
My Pick: Tennessee
My Plays: Corey Tripp to make 2 3s.
This is another game where I just don't see it being close. Wofford is a great team but Tennessee is just too aggressive on the defensive end for the Terriers. I like the shooting of Wofford but Tennessee matches it well and will get their shots way easier then Wofford.
6:50 PM (7) Kansas -4.5 vs (10) Arkansas
My Pick: Kansas
My Players: Dickinson over points
If Adou Thiero was playing, I would lean Arkansas, but with him out, the Razorbacks will have to rely on their guards to cover Kansas’ explosive forwards, and not to mention Hunter Dickinson will eat any big alive in the post. Kansas is the better team, but both have struggled, and it could really go either way.
7:10 PM (4) Texas A&M -7.5 vs (13) Yale
My Pick: Yale
My plays: Wade Taylor under points
John Pouladkidas. Remember the name. He is shooting 40% from three this year which is something the Aggies will not be able to contain, as their 3p defense has been abysmal this year. They also have not been a great shooting team, and Yale is elite defensively on the interior. If the Bulldogs can force A&M into bad shots/ a lot of threes, they will win another upset game for the second year in a row.
7:25 PM (6) Missouri -6.5 vs (11) Drake
My Pick: Drake
My plays: Bennett Stirtz over points
Drake loves to put Bennett Stirtz in the pick and roll, and that is the one thing Missouri struggles against. The Tigers foul a lot and allow offensive rebounds, and Drake loves to play against both of those. This rag tag team full of D2 guys won THIRTY games this year and I think the chip is just too big on their shoulder for them to slow down
7:35 PM (7) UCLA -5.5 vs (10) Utah State
My Pick: UCLA
My plays: Utah State under team points
Utah State will get shredded if they come out in their zone defense. UCLA will dice them apart with Skyy Clark at the helm. The Aggies have folded against tough perimeter defense, and that's what UCLA plays. I like the Bruins to win an easy one.
9:25 PM (2) St. John’s -18.5 vs (15) Omaha
My Pick: St Johns
My plays: Omaha +18.5
St Johns will get a lot of free throws in this game, as they rely on getting to the rim and Omaha's interior defense fouls a lot. This game will be close due to St Johns lack of shooting, but if they can get to the rim early, they may run away with this one.
9:45 PM (5) Michigan -2.5 vs (12) UC San Diego
My Pick: UC San Diego
My plays: Danny Wolf/Vlad Goldin over points and rebounds.
I do think Michigan's size will hurt UC San Diego's chances at winning this game, but with unsteady guard play, if UCSD can get out and force turnovers early, it will cost Michigan. The fastbreak points are what will win this game for UCSD but expect both UM big guys to have great games.
10:00 PM (3) Texas Tech -15.5 vs (14) UNC Wilmington
My Pick: TTU
My plays: UNC Wilmington +15.5, JT over 20.5 points
Wilmington has a ton of experience in their players, being one of the oldest teams in college basketball, but Texas Tech has been able to score from everywhere, and UNC Wilmington has struggled against top-200 teams, giving up 64% at the rim. Elijah Hawkins will attack the drop coverage that UNCW loves and Texas Tech will win this easily, but I do think UNCW can cover the spread with TTU’s injuries.
