March Madness Predictions & Best Bets: Saturday

Now here we are, well into Friday of the first round, and I have to admit—it’s been very underwhelming in terms of Madness so far. We’ve had not only very few upsets, but an even worse stat: there have only been three one-possession final scores. Still, we need to rally this weekend.

The positive side of having so few upsets? We’re now set up with a ton of power matchups in Round 2. This is where we need to focus all our attention—good vibes only for a weekend full of fun, wild basketball. Let’s get into the matchups and what to expect:

#12 McNeese (Southland, 28-6) vs. #4 Purdue (Big Ten, 23-11)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

McNeese: G Brandon Murray – 21 pts, 3 stls & F Christian Shumate – 13 pts, 11 reb

Purdue: G Braden Smith – 20 pts, 6 ast & F Trey Kaufman-Renn – 21 pts, 8 reb

Overview: Purdue will go as far as Smith and Kaufman-Renn can take them. I think McNeese has the athleticism and length to bother Smith, and rebounding will be the key—it’s what killed High Point in Round 1.

Best Bet: Purdue -5.5 (-108)

Prediction: Purdue 78, McNeese 63

#10 Arkansas (SEC, 21-13) vs. #2 Saint John’s (Big East, 31-4)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

Arkansas: F Jonas Aidoo – 22 pts, 5 reb & G Johnell Davis – 18 pts, 2 stl

St. John’s: G RJ Luis Jr. – 22 pts, 8 reb & G Kadary Richmond – 10 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast

Overview: This is the kind of matchup we live for in March—Calipari vs. Pitino, two historic programs, and loaded with athletes. St. John’s will need to hit some 3s because Arkansas can score. The Johnnies love to wear teams down, so the Razorbacks better be ready to go a full 40.

Best Bet: Arkansas +6.5 (-102)

Prediction: St. John’s 74, Arkansas 72

#5 Michigan (Big Ten, 26-9) vs. #4 Texas A&M (SEC, 23-10)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

Michigan: G Tre Donaldson – 12 pts, 7 reb & F Danny Wolf – 9 pts, 11 reb

Texas A&M: G Wade Taylor IV – 16 pts, 5 ast & F Pharrel Payne – 25 pts, 10 reb

Overview: We’ve got another great clash here between two very different styles. Michigan needs more out of Danny Wolf if they want a Sweet 16 berth. A&M just needs to lock up Michigan’s bigs and they should be able to force turnovers.

Best Bet: Michigan ML +124

Prediction: Michigan 71, Texas A&M 61

#11 Drake (MVC, 31-3) vs. #3 Texas Tech (Big 12, 26-8)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

Drake: G Bennett Stirtz – 21 pts, 4 ast & F Tavion Banks – 15 pts, 9 reb

Texas Tech: G Kerwin Walton – 27 pts, 8 3FG & F JT Toppin – 13 pts, 11 reb

Overview: Drake wants this game in the 50s, while Texas Tech wants to run. Stirtz will be key—if he controls the pace, Tech could struggle. Toppin has to dominate the inside.

Best Bet: Under 126.5 (-105)

Prediction: Drake 63, Texas Tech 57

#9 Creighton (Big East, 25-10) vs. #1 Auburn (SEC, 29-5)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

Creighton: F Jamiya Neal – 29 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast & G Steven Ashworth – 22 pts, 4 3FG

Auburn: F Johni Broome – 14 pts, 11 reb & G Miles Kelly – 23 pts, 7 3FG

Overview: This game is going to be a banger. Broome has to deal with Creighton's 7-footer, and Auburn’s guards need to hit shots from deep. If Creighton shoots it well, Auburn could be in trouble.

Best Bet: Creighton +9.5 (-115)

Prediction: Auburn 83, Creighton 75

#6 BYU (Big 12, 25-9) vs. #3 Wisconsin (Big Ten, 27-9)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

BYU: G Egor Demin – 15 pts, 4 reb & G/F Richie Saunders – 16 pts

Wisconsin: G John Blackwell – 19 pts & G John Tonje – 15 pts

Overview: This might be the most “whoever makes more 3s” game EVER. Both teams rely heavily on the three-ball. Wisconsin’s experience could be the difference-maker.

Best Bet: Over 154.5 (-115)

Prediction: Wisconsin 87, BYU 81

#8 Gonzaga (WCC, 26-8) vs. #1 Houston (Big 12, 31-4)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

Gonzaga: G Khalif Battle – 24 pts, 8 reb & F Braden Huff – 18 pts, 8 reb

Houston: G Milos Uzan – 16 pts & G L.J. Cryer – 15 pts, 4 3FG

Overview: This is an Elite 8-level game happening in Round 2. It’ll come down to three things: turnovers, 3-point shooting, and foul trouble. Gonzaga needs to be sharp offensively, but Houston has the edge going in.

Best Bet: Over 139.5 (-108)

Prediction: Gonzaga 77, Houston 69

#7 UCLA (Big Ten, 23-10) vs. #2 Tennessee (SEC, 28-7)

Players to Watch (Round of 64 stats):

UCLA: G Skyy Clark – 14 pts, 4 3FG & G Dylan Andrews – 8 pts, 8 ast

Tennessee: G Chaz Lanier – 29 pts, 6 3FG & G Zakai Zeigler – 12 pts, 12 ast

Overview: Tennessee has the edge in athleticism and boasts a PG who can control the game. UCLA needs to shoot the three well and defend it just as strongly. For Tennessee, Lanier is the key to getting to the Sweet 16.

Best Bet: Tennessee -4.5 (-118)

Prediction: Tennessee 75, UCLA 57

We need good vibes heading into the weekend. With so many big-name matchups, it honestly feels like a Sweet 16 day. And of course, I’m nervous for my Zags—they’re up against the Cougs and it’s going to be a battle from the jump. Time to channel some of that classic Gonzaga tournament magic. Let’s get it.

Bet of the Day:

03-22

Gonzaga ML +190