March Madness Predictions & Best Bets: Friday

Yesterday, I released today's game predictions and bets. Now, here are tomorrow’s games all broken down for you! Also, if you're unsure of what you're watching or what's coming up, check out both blogs for a quick insight into who’s playing. Let’s enjoy the Madness!

#9 Baylor (Big 12, 19-14) vs. #8 Mississippi State (SEC, 21-12)

Players to Watch

Baylor: G VJ Edgecombe – 15 PPG, 5.6 RPG & F Norchad Omier – 15.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG

Mississippi State: G Josh Hubbard – 18.7 PPG, 3.2 3FG per game

Overview

Another classic coin-flip 8/9 matchup, of course. Both teams have had electric performances this season, but also some head-scratchers. Hubbard is the key for the Bulldogs—he needs to get into the 20s for them to have a shot.

Best Bet: Over 144.5 (-110)

Prediction: Baylor 81, Mississippi State 68

#15 Robert Morris (Horizon, 26-8) vs. #2 Alabama (SEC, 25-8)

Players to Watch

Robert Morris: G Kam Woods – 15.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.1 APG & F Alvaro Folgueiras – 14.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 42% 3FG

Alabama: G Mark Sears – 18.7 PPG, 4.9 APG & F Grant Nelson – 11.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG

Overview

Robert Morris will need a miracle—maybe no Nelson and a whole lot of foul trouble for Alabama. Woods has to be at his absolute best, doing it all. That said, Bama should be able to sleepwalk through this one.

Best Bet: Alabama -23.5 (-102)

Prediction: Alabama 101, Robert Morris 72

#14 Lipscomb (ASUN, 25-9) vs. #3 Iowa State (Big 12, 24-9)

Players to Watch

Lipscomb: F Jacob Ognacevic – 20.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG & G Joe Anderson – 12.5 PPG, 41% 3FG

Iowa State: G Curtis Jones – 17.1 PPG, 37% 3FG & F Milan Momcilovic – 11.4 PPG, 41% 3FG

Overview

Now we’ve got a tricky 3/14 matchup—Lipscomb can really shoot and has a solid inside presence. Iowa State missing a player doesn’t help. If Lipscomb gets hot, watch out!

Best Bet: Lipscomb +14.5 (-110)

Prediction: Lipscomb 79, Iowa State 76

#12 Colorado State (MWest, 25-9) vs. #5 Memphis (AAC, 29-5)

Players to Watch

Colorado State: G/F Nique Clifford – 19 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.4 APG & G Jalen Lake – 11.1 PPG, 88% FT

Memphis: G PJ Haggerty – 21.8 PPG, 3.8 APG & F Dain Dainja – 14.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG

Overview

This might be the trendiest 12/5 upset pick, especially if Memphis is without Tyrese Hunter. Colorado State will need to shoot it well because Memphis can score in multiple ways.

Best Bet: Over 147.5 (-105)

Prediction: Memphis 85, Colorado State 84 (OT)

#16 Mount St. Mary’s (MAAC, 23-12) vs. #1 Duke (ACC, 31-3)

Players to Watch

MSM: F Dola Adebayo – 13.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG & G Dallas Hobbs – 12.7 PPG, 3.3 APG

Duke: G/F Kon Knueppel – 14.4 PPG, 39% 3FG & F Cooper Flagg (is he healthy?) – 18.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG

Overview

Is one really needed? This would be the BIGGEST upset in sports history, plain and simple.

Best Bet: Whatever Duke’s spread is

Prediction: Duke 101, Mount St. Mary’s 49

#10 Vanderbilt (SEC, 20-12) vs. #7 Saint Mary’s (WCC, 28-5)

Players to Watch

Vandy: G Jason Edwards – 17.0 PPG, 36% 3FG & G/F Tyler Nickel – 10.5 PPG, 41% 3FG

Saint Mary’s: G Augustas Marciulionis – 14.3 PPG, 6.1 APG & F Mitchell Saxen – 10.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG

Overview

Talk about another matchup of contrasting styles. Vanderbilt needs to get Saint Mary’s bigs into foul trouble and hit threes to have a chance. Many people are on Vandy for the upset.

Best Bet: Saint Mary’s -4.5 (-105)

Prediction: Saint Mary’s 63, Vanderbilt 57

#11 North Carolina (ACC, 23-13) vs. #6 Ole Miss (SEC, 22-11)

Players to Watch

UNC: G RJ Davis – 17.3 PPG, 3.7 APG & F Jae'lyn Withers – 6.5 PPG, 44% 3FG

Ole Miss: G Sean Pedulla – 14.9 PPG, 39% 3FG & F Malik Dia – 10.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG

Overview

The popular pick is now the once-overlooked UNC Tar Heels. If UNC shoots well, they will be a tough out. Ole Miss must keep them off the three-point line to survive.

Best Bet: Ole Miss ML (+110)

Prediction: Ole Miss 74, UNC 70

#13 Grand Canyon (WAC, 26-7) vs. #4 Maryland (Big Ten, 25-8)

Players to Watch

GCU: G Tyon Grant-Foster – 14.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG & F Jakobe Coles – 14.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG

Maryland: F Derik Queen – 16.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG & F Julian Reese – 13.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG

Overview

Maryland must keep their bigs out of foul trouble—they have one of the best starting fives in the country, but their bench is non-existent. Grand Canyon’s best shot is forcing Maryland to go deep into their bench.

Best Bet: Under 150.5 (-115)

Prediction: Maryland 67, Grand Canyon 62

#16 Norfolk State (MEAC, 24-10) vs. #1 Florida (SEC, 30-4)

Players to Watch

Norfolk State: G Brian Moore Jr. – 18.4 PPG, 40% 3FG & F Jalen Myers – 10.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG

Florida: G Walter Clayton Jr. – 17.5 PPG, 38% 3FG & F Alex Condon – 11.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG

Overview

Similar to the Duke matchup, this would take an insanely massive upset. Florida should cruise.

Best Bet: Over 153.5 (-115)

Prediction: Florida 98, Norfolk State 61

#14 Troy (Sun Belt, 23-10) vs. #3 Kentucky (SEC, 22-11)

Players to Watch

Troy: G Tayton Conerway – 14.3 PPG, 2.9 SPG & F Thomas Dowd – 9.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG

Kentucky: G Lamont Butler (is he healthy?) – 11.5 PPG, 4.3 APG & F Kody Brea – 11.5 PPG, 44% 3FG

Overview

If you're looking for a 14/3 upset, this is another interesting one. Kentucky is dealing with several health concerns, and Troy is an athletic, opportunistic team that can capitalize.

Best Bet: Troy +11.5 (-115)

Prediction: Kentucky 83, Troy 76

#10 New Mexico (MWest, 26-7) vs. #7 Marquette (Big East, 23-10)

Players to Watch

New Mexico: G Donovan Dent – 20.6 PPG, 6.4 APG & G Tru Washington – 11.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG

Marquette: G Kam Jones – 19.3 PPG, 5.9 APG & F David Joplin – 13.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG

Overview

This should be a great matchup, featuring an elite Dent vs. Jones showdown. The better game from either of them could decide this one. Marquette, though, is the more battle-tested team.

Best Bet: Marquette -3.5 (-115)

Prediction: Marquette 87, New Mexico 74

#13 Akron (MAC, 28-6) vs. #4 Arizona (Big 12, 22-12)

Players to Watch

Akron: G Nate Johnson – 14.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG & G Tavari Johnson – 13.0 PPG, 39% 3FG

Arizona: G Caleb Love – 16.2 PPG, 3.5 APG & G KJ Lewis – 10.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG

Overview

This is a first-to-100 type of game—both teams can score at will and love to push the pace. Who plays within themselves better—Nate Johnson or Caleb Love? That could be the difference.

Best Bet: Akron +14.5 (-108)

Prediction: Arizona 94, Akron 88

#9 Oklahoma (SEC, 20-13) vs. #8 UConn (Big East, 23-10)

Players to Watch

Oklahoma: G Jeremiah Fears – 17.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.1 APG & F Jalon Moore – 16.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG

UConn: F Liam McNeely – 14.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG & F Alex Karaban – 14.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG

Overview

This one should be fun—the two-time defending champs are looking to find that March magic again. McNeely & Fears are top freshmen who can take over a game.

Best Bet: Over 148.5 (-105)

Prediction: UConn 79, Oklahoma 75

#11 Xavier (Big East, 22-11) vs. #6 Illinois (Big Ten, 21-12)

Players to Watch

Xavier: G/F Ryan Conwell – 16.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG & F Zach Freemantle – 17.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG

Illinois: F Will Riley – 12.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG & G Kylan Boswell – 11.9 PPG, 3.4 APG

Overview

Expect points in this one—both teams can light it up. Keep an eye on Illinois' three-point shooting—if they're hitting, they could make a run. If not, Xavier is primed for an upset.

Best Bet: Illinois -3.5 (-102)

Prediction: Illinois 81, Xavier 73

#15 Bryant (America East, 23-11) vs. #2 Michigan State (Big Ten, 27-6)

Players to Watch

Bryant: G/F Earl Timberlake – 15.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG & G Rafael Pinzon – 18.5 PPG, 39% 3FG

Michigan State: G Jase Richardson – 12.0 PPG, 41% 3FG & G Jaden Atkins – 12.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG

Overview

This is the sneakiest potential 15/2 upset. Bryant can really shoot it and has size across the lineup. Michigan State must keep them from heating up from three. If they do, they should get out of here safely.

Best Bet: Bryant +17.5 (-110)

Prediction: Bryant 84, Michigan State 77

#12 Liberty (CUSA, 28-6) vs. #5 Oregon (Big Ten, 24-9)

Players to Watch

Liberty: G Taelon Peter – 13.9 PPG, 46% 3FG & G Kaden Metheny – 13.5 PPG, 39% 3FG

Oregon: F Nate Bittle – 14.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG & G Jackson Shelstad – 13.2 PPG, 37% 3FG

Overview

Oregon must score—when Liberty holds teams under 70, they win. On the flip side, Liberty needs to hit their threes. If they put pressure on the Ducks, watch out for the upset.

Best Bet: Liberty ML (+250)

Prediction: Liberty 77, Oregon 59

With that, all 32 first-round matchups are now in the books! Look out for Round 2 predictions starting tomorrow as we break down the results of today's games. Hopefully, the Madness is all-time for us!

Bet Recap: Lost the parlay, but it was close

Bet(s) of the Day:

VCU ML +114

Kansas -5.5 -102

UNCW ML +900