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 led Iona in a 2–15 matchup with Alona. Which team will pull big on Saturday?
SN picks up straight for those first round games:
MORE MARCH MADNESS: Round 1 Odds | Parley Printable bracket
March Madness picks up, 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 averages 27.4 points in his five matches. However, the Seminoles shoot the 3-pointer well, and MJ Walker will at least hit the 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 COVID-19 concerns around the jewelers warrant it. 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 is a trendy pick averaging 22.6 points per game and the Tigers scoring 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 had a much-needed rest 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
Creighton (-7) vs UC-Santa Barbara
We like this 5-12 very much. The Gauchos have lost only once since January 1, and have lost only five points or more the entire season. Creighton is still a heavy favorite, but we’re sticking with UC-Santa Barbara in a game bound for one of those memorable finishes. At the very least, we prefer Gauchos against proliferation.
pick up the: UC-Santa Barbara
Alabama (-17) vs. Iona
The Crimson Tide is 4-2 ATS as a double-digit favorite, and is overseen in the game by Pitco’s return to the NCAA Tournament. Herb Jones helps Alabama take a double-digit lead in the first half, but the gel cover that spreads 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 maintained 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 to 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 named a trendy upset pick after a hot-shooting weekend at 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, holds off a troubled bid.
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 up 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 performance, and she is the 3-1 ATS 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 Nah’Shon Hyland, who averages 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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