Day 2 of the NCAA tournament features another set of 16 first-round games.
A pair of No. 1 seeds are in action with Gonzaga and Michigan, but there are other fun storylines as well. Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing has overtaken Hoyes in the NCAA tournament, and Rick Pitino will lead Iona in a 2–15 matchup with Alabama. Which team will pull big on Saturday?
Sn Gives your choice directly to the first round game:
MORE MARCH MADNESS: Round 1 Odds | Parley Printable bracket
March Madness picks, predictions for round 1
Colorado (-5.5) vs Georgetown
The match between Georgetown freshman Dainty Harris, who stepped into the Big East tournament, and Colorado senior McKinley Wright IV are worth watching. We love seeing Ewing in the tournament, but the buffalo ends that Cinderella story.
pick up the: Colorado
Florida State (-10.5) vs. UNC-Greensboro
The line has dropped a point, perhaps out of respect for UNC-Greensboro guard Isaiah Miller, who is averaging 27.4 points in his first five games. However, the Seminoles shoot the 3-pointer well, and MJ Walker will at least shoot off-set Miller. Florida State advanced to the second half.
pick up the: Florida State
Kansas (-10.5) vs. Eastern Washington
The line has not moved much further, and the COVID-19 concerns around the jewelers have been warranted. Eastern Washington has five players, averaging double figures. However, Kansas has won its final four tournament openers by 28.5 points per game. There is value with the Jays.
pick up the: Kansas
LSU (-1.5) vs St. Bonventure
This is a difficult game to take. Freshman Cameron Thomas averages 22.6 points per game, and the Tigers are a trendy pick to score one run in the second weekend. However, Bonani ranks fifth in Division I in scoring defense. St. Bonventure can control the tempo with its balance, and this leads to an untimely exit for LSU.
pick up the: St Bonventure
Michigan (-25.5) vs Texas Southern
Michigan will not have Isaiah Liver, but the Wolverines needed a lot of rest for a week after a busy end season. John Walker III and Jordan Gilliam took 31 points in Texas Southern’s first four wins, but the Tigers would have too much trouble with Hunter Dickinson of Michigan in the paint.
pick up the: Michigan
Crayton (-7) vs UC-Santa Barbara
We like this 5-12 very much. The Gauchos have only lost once since January 1, and have lost only five points or more the entire season. Creighton is still a heavy favorite, but we’re bound for one of those memorable finishes with UC-Santa Barbara. At the very least, we prefer Gauchos against proliferation.
pick up the: UC-Santa Barbara
Alabama (-17) vs. Iona
The Crimson Tide are 4-2 ATS as double-digit favorites, and they have been overshadowed by Pitino’s return to the NCAA Tournament in this game. Herb Jones helps Alabama take a double-digit lead in the first half, but the gel covers that spread and makes it respectable.
pick up the: Alabama
USC (-6) vs. Drake
USC freshman Ivan Mumble is a force inside. The 7-footer averages 16.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, and will compete with Drake Darnell Brody, who has double-digit rebounds in the Bulldogs’ last four games. Drake maintains his run with a first-round shocker.
pick up the: fly
Iowa (-14.5) vs Grand Canyon
Bryce Drew is back in the tournament – this time as a head coach for the Antelopes’ team that makes the top 10 in Division I in defense scoring. Iowa, however, ranks sixth in the nation in scoring offense, and SN Player of the Year Luca Garza starts the tournament on a high note.
pick up the: Iowa
Connecticut (-3) vs Maryland
Maryland has been inconsistent all season, but their guards share basketball well. Four different players average at least two assists. UConn defeated Creighton by winning five straight games before losing the Big East tournament. We are sticking with the Big Ten team in a true toss-up game.
pick up the: Maryland
Virginia (-7.5) vs Ohio
Virginia also has COVID-19 issues, and the Cavaliers have a tight schedule to move to Indianapolis. Ohio is a trendy upset pick after a hot shooting weekend in the MAC tournament. Jason Preston is an all-around talent, averaging 16.6 points and 7.2 assists per game, but he and Ben Vander Plass must lead an attack that hits double-digit 3-pointers to do so. Virginia, led by Sam Hauser and its standard defense, keeps the upset bid closed.
pick up the: Virginia
Oklahoma (-1) vs. Missouri
Oklahoma is another team dealing with COVID-19 issues. Soon the second leading scorer, Devilian Harmon, was out. Oklahoma still has enough talent to win, but we like the Tigers’ victories over Drew Smith and Xavier Pinson.
pick up the: Missouri
Gonzaga (-33.5) vs Norfolk State
Gonzaga has not lost in the first round since 2008, and was against Steph Curry-led Davidson. This is a monster that stretches to cover the Bulldogs, but look for Gonzaga to push the tempo against the Spartans. Norfolk State defends the 3-pointer well, but it will not matter here.
pick up the: Gonzaga
BYU (-4) vs UCLA
The Cougars have three seniors who double the average mark, and that attack is led by guard Alex Burslow. He is shooting 48.6 percent from three-point range. UCLA is coming away with an impressive win against Michigan State, however, and they have guards who can match. We still like Cougars in a tight.
pick up the: BYU
Texas (-9) vs Abilene Christian
Abilene Christian gets her chance in a Lone Star showdown, and she is 3-1 ATS as an underdog this season. Texas has been unpredictable all season, but they have three guards who average double figures. It is a difference-maker for the Big 12 tournament champions.
pick up the: Texas
Oregon (-5) vs. VCU
This is one of the toughest picks, and it is another intriguing matchup for the Pac-12. Can Oregon pull it off? It is no guarantee that VCU can score with Nahan Highland, who can get an average of 19.5 points per game. The duck has five big men who score in double figures, and that experience pays off.
pick up the: Oregon
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