March Madness Predictions & Best Bets: Sunday

AAs Saturday winds down in the late night, we look to wrap up the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow. Today was a little better—we finally saw a Top 4 seed go down, and actually saw a 2, 3, and 4 seed lose. Also, Gonzaga gave Houston all they could handle in a 81–76 loss (Gonzaga season wrap-up will be coming soon).

Let’s take a look at what tomorrow could bring:

#8 UConn (Big East, 24-10) vs. #1 Florida (SEC, 31-4)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

UConn: F Tarris Reed Jr. – 12 pts, 7 reb & G/F Alex Karaban – 13 pts, 7 reb

Florida: G Walter Clayton Jr. – 23 pts, 4 3FG & F Alex Condon – 12 pts, 5 reb

Overview: The two-time defending champs may be meeting their match. Florida is going to put up points, and I’m not sure UConn can keep up. This Florida team has a look similar to their title teams from the 2000s.

Best Bet: Over 151.5 (-105)

Prediction: Florida 86, UConn 74

#9 Baylor (Big 12, 20-14) vs. #1 Duke (ACC, 32-3)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

Baylor: F Norchad Omier – 12 pts, 10 reb & G VJ Edgecombe – 14 pts, 5 reb

Duke: F Cooper Flagg – 14 pts, 7 reb & G Tyrese Proctor – 19 pts, 6 3FG

Overview: Baylor’s top freshman vs. Duke’s top freshman is a fun storyline. But the big one? Jeremy Roach facing his old team. No matter the storylines heading in, by the end, all the talk will be about Duke heading to the Sweet 16.

Best Bet: Duke -12.5 (-105)

Prediction: Duke 81, Baylor 66

#6 Illinois (Big Ten, 22-12) vs. #3 Kentucky (SEC, 23-11)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

Illinois: F Will Riley – 22 pts, 4 reb & G Kylan Boswell – 15 pts, 5 reb

Kentucky: G/F Otega Oweh – 20 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast & G Koby Brea – 11 pts, 3 3FG

Overview: This is a race-to-90 type of game—both offenses are elite. Whoever makes their 3s will have the edge. Illinois needs them badly, because when they don’t shoot well, it goes south fast. Should be a classic.

Best Bet: Illinois ML (-130)

Prediction: Illinois 87, Kentucky 86

#7 Saint Mary’s (WCC, 29-5) vs. #2 Alabama (SEC, 26-8)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

Saint Mary’s: G Augustas Marciulionis – 14 pts, 8 reb & F Mitchell Saxen – 12 pts, 11 reb

Alabama: F Cliff Omoruyi – 17 pts, 4 reb & G Mark Sears – 22 pts, 10 ast

Overview: This is one of the slowest-paced teams against one of the fastest. Alabama woke up late in Round 1, but I don’t expect that again. Saint Mary’s has to slow this game way down and then exploit Alabama's defense.

Best Bet: Alabama -5.5 (-110)

Prediction: Alabama 77, Saint Mary’s 59

#12 Colorado State (MW, 26-9) vs. #4 Maryland (Big Ten, 26-8)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

Colorado State: G Kyan Evans – 23 pts, 6 3FG & G/F Nique Clifford – 14 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast

Maryland: F Derik Queen – 12 pts, 15 reb & F Julian Reese – 18 pts, 9 reb

Overview: Colorado State needs to find a way to get Queen and Reese off the floor. Maryland has one of the best starting fives in the country, but virtually no bench. If CSU can't force them into using it, Maryland should cruise.

Best Bet: Maryland -7.5

Prediction: Maryland 79, Colorado State 70

#6 Ole Miss (SEC, 23-11) vs. #3 Iowa State (Big 12, 25-9)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

Ole Miss: G Sean Pedulla – 20 pts, 5 ast & G Dre Davis – 15 pts, 8 reb

Iowa State: F Milan Momcilovic – 20 pts, 5 reb & G Curtis Jones – 17 pts, 2 stl

Overview: Very even matchup, but Pedulla is the key for Ole Miss. Iowa State looks to stay hot despite being down a key player. If they keep Pedulla in check, that’s the game.

Best Bet: Iowa State -5.5

Prediction: Iowa State 73, Ole Miss 64

#10 New Mexico (MW, 27-7) vs. #2 Michigan State (Big Ten, 28-6)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

New Mexico: G Donovan Dent – 21 pts, 6 ast & G Tru Washington – 12 pts, 5 reb

Michigan State: G Jase Richardson – 15 pts, 3 3FG & G Jeremy Fears Jr. – 11 pts, 6 ast

Overview: New Mexico poses a real threat, especially with the late tip that MSU isn’t used to. The Lobos need to hit threes and take control early, because Sparty owns the second half.

Best Bet: Over 148.5 (-110)

Prediction: Michigan State 83, New Mexico 71

#5 Oregon (Big Ten, 25-9) vs. #4 Arizona (Big 12, 23-12)

Players to Watch (1st round stats):

Oregon: G Jackson Shelstad – 17 pts, 4 reb & F Nate Bittle – 14 pts, 10 reb

Arizona: G Jaden Bradley – 19 pts, 6 reb & F Trey Townsend – 16 pts, 8 reb

Overview: A Pac-12 throwback—though it still feels weird calling this a Big Ten vs. Big 12 matchup. Either way, this will be a great one to end the weekend. Both teams are well-coached and have veteran depth. But Caleb Love could swing it—which version of him shows up?

Best Bet: Oregon +3.5 (-110)

Prediction: Arizona 73, Oregon 71

That’s it—the full schedule to close out our weekend. Today brought a bit more juice, but overall we’re still waiting for full-on Madness. Tomorrow has a lot of pressure to deliver some thrilling finishes.

I’ll be addressing Gonzaga’s season-ending in the near future.

Bet Recap: 0-1

Bet of the Day:

03-23

UCONN-Florida over 151.5 -105