Men's first round: Games to bet on, games to avoid
Thursday brought immediate madness, but how should you bet Friday’s games?
Here are our experts Dalen Cuff, Jeff Borzello, Tyler Fulghum and Mackenzie Kraemer to explain which games they are keying in on.
What’s your favorite pick against the spread?
San Diego State (-6.5) vs. UAB. UAB’s offense carried it down the stretch of the season, but it hasn’t faced a defense like San Diego State, which ranks in the top 10 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. And the Blazers’ defense doesn’t force turnovers, meaning it will likely have to play against a settled Aztecs defense most of the game. — Borzello
Alabama (-9.5) vs. Charleston. The Cougars play a similar style as the Tide that is pace, space and 3s. The Tide just do it much better and more efficiently than Charleston. Roll Tide. — Cuff
Auburn (-12.5) vs. Yale. Yale is a great story with its buzzer-beater to win the Ivy League, but Auburn is no Brown. The Tigers have shorter odds than every 2-seed but Arizona to win it all. — Fulghum
Baylor (-14.5) vs. Colgate. Colgate lacks the offensive firepower that previous tournament teams had. Baylor should overwhelm Colgate offensively, and Colgate won’t keep up. — Kraemer
What’s your ‘favorite favorite’ that’s under -200 moneyline?
Florida Atlantic (-175) vs. Northwestern. If Matthew Nicholson doesn’t play for Northwestern, I don’t think they have a prayer of defending Vlad Goldin on the interior. And if he does suit up, I still think FAU has too much firepower. Boo Buie can only do so much. — Borzello
New Mexico (-140) vs. Clemson. New Mexico opened as a 1.5-point favorite and are now up a point to -2.5. At least one 11-seed has won a first-round game in 18 consecutive NCAA tournaments. — Fulghum
What’s your favorite upset pick?
James Madison (+180) vs. Wisconsin. JMU is 31-3 and might even be the better team, as they showed when they beat Michigan State in November. Are we sure Wisconsin is the better team? — Kraemer
Texas A&M (Even) vs. Nebraska. I actually prefer Samford (+225), McNeese (+220) and James Madison (+190), but one more underdog pick I like is the Aggies. A&M’s offensive struggles seem to be behind them, and Wade Taylor is playing his most efficient basketball of the season. — Borzello
What’s your favorite pick against the point total?
Alabama vs. Charleston OVER 173.5. Two teams that love to play with pace, will look to shoot within the first 15 seconds of the shot clock and want to score. Alabama has gone over in 10 of its past 11 games, and Charleston won’t have a problem keeping up. — Borzello
