Round of 64: Best Bets, Players to Watch, & Predictions

March Madness is here! As we scramble to fill out our brackets, sometimes the best week of the year can become a little overwhelming. No worries, though, as I am here to save the day yet again with a Round of 64 preview, giving you best bets, players to watch, what to expect, and finally, a prediction. Now, will it be perfect? NO WAY! It’s March, but the research has been done!

EAST REGION

Thursday Games Tip Off Times

12:15 pm

Overview: This game is the true definition of a coin flip. Both Ohio State and TCU have huge wins on their resumes, but also some real stinkers. Ohio State holds the metric advantage, sitting at 26th to the Horned Frogs' 43rd in KenPom. Ohio State will want this game in the 80s, without a doubt.

Prediction: Ohio State 74, TCU 66

1:30 pm

Overview: One of the early favorites to be an "upset special." The Bulls have some serious athleticism, and with the Cardinals banged up, this feels almost too good to be true. USF JR G Wes Enis may be having a coming-out party here.

Prediction: USF 88, Louisville 80

2:50 pm

Overview: No miracles here, people; this is just a Duke game from beginning to finish. We won't have to worry about their injuries in this round.

Prediction: Duke 90, Siena 57

4:05 pm

Overview: Okay, yes, it’s March, but does Michigan State feel slightly vulnerable here? Sometimes it’s the game no one talks about that sneaks up on us. This NDSU team has a little "go" to them, while the Spartans can get into shooting droughts. This is a "watch out" alert.

Prediction: Michigan State 71, NDSU 65

Friday’s Games

7:10 pm

Overview: St. John’s couldn’t be coming into this one any hotter. Meanwhile, quietly, so is Northern Iowa, who made a hell of a run to win their conference. Forward Will Hornseth may be the key to an upset bid if he can get hot from three.

Prediction: St. John's 77, Northern Iowa 59

7:25 pm

Overview: Are the Bruins truly healthy? That is question one. Number two: is Mick Cronin okay with the East Coast tip-off? These two factors will have a major impact on the outcome. Senior guard Donovan Dent will NEED to be 100% for UCLA.

Prediction: UCF 84, UCLA 83 (OT)

9:45 pm

Overview: The Kansas saga continues. Will Darryn Peterson all of a sudden be a 40-minute man? I think barring a divine miracle, a Cal Baptist win just isn't in the cards, people.

Prediction: Kansas 81, Cal Baptist 55

10:00 pm

Overview: While UConn feels weakened, the Paladins will need to be on their A-game to have a shot here. For me, the Huskies feel more likely to be taken down in the Second Round or the Sweet 16.

Prediction: UConn 83, Furman 65

The Verdict: The East feels pretty "chalky" for the Round of 64. There may be some close calls, and the 10 and 11 seeds have the best shots for a takedown. The seed numbers suggest upsets, but with Louisville down a top player and UCLA’s health uncertain, they may not be true shockers. Next up, we have the South Region!

South Region

Thursday Games

12:40 pm

Overview: I am big on Troy here, as all the pressure is on the Cornhuskers. Now, if Nebraska is shooting it well, then bye-bye Trojans, but if Troy can force them into a bad shooting day... upset special!

Prediction: Troy 71, Nebraska 69

3:15 pm

Overview: Vanderbilt may have re-found that mojo in the conference tourney. Now, again, McNeese feels like the popular pick to make some noise, but sorry, I just don't see it.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 85, McNeese 61

6:50 pm

Overview: 15 years ago, an 11-seed VCU took the world by storm. Well, guess what? The vibes are feeling that way again with a Tar Heel squad missing out on their star.

Prediction: VCU 81, UNC 74

7:25 pm

Overview: This one is tricky, as you have the defensive-minded Gaels against the 3pt-happy Aggies. It really just comes down to this: if A&M is hot, they win; if not, bye-bye Aggies.

Prediction: Texas A&M 64, Saint Mary's 56

9:25 pm

Overview: Penn may be a sneaky popular pick here after TJ Power's Ivy League championship performance. WRONG. Illinois is too big, too physical, and can shoot it with the best of them. Top offense in KenPom, by the way.

Prediction: Illinois 91, Penn 76

10:10 pm 

Overview: Idaho had a fun run as a 7-seed to get into the tourney, but it will be over very quickly Friday night. Freshman Kingston Flemings will show them right away that there are levels to this thing.

Prediction: Houston 81, Idaho 49

Friday Games

6:50 pm

Overview: This could be a sneaky fun game. Both teams are known to be well-coached and can win with 3s or grind it out on the defensive end. Clemson being down a starter is huge for Iowa, but it will need to be the Bennett Stirtz show, no doubt about it.

Prediction: Iowa 74, Clemson 70

9:25 pm

Overview: Great night for the Panthers in the first four, but sadly it ends there. Gators into the Round of 32 with ease.

Prediction: Florida: 84 Prairie View A&M 51

Conclusion: Other than VCU, it's looking very chalky, but I do feel the second round could get wild here. The matchups are just built for the big boys to be successful. Next up, we’re going out West.

West Region

Thursday Games

1:50 pm

Overview: Offensive overload! Who can outshoot whom here? High Point, now in the Big Dance two years in a row, feels like a team that can make some noise. The Badgers, though, will lean heavily on Nick Boyd and John Blackwell to get them past the pesky Panthers.

Prediction: Wisconsin 94, High Point 82

4:25 pm

Overview: Man, we all love Hawaii’s "no switch" defense, but damn, did they get a bad matchup. Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. is going to rip their hearts out from the tip.

Prediction: Arkansas 96, Hawaii 74

7:25 pm

Overview: After Texas survived a late scare from NC State last night, they’ll look to be the next "First Four" team to make a run. BYU's star, AJ Dybantsa, though, will be tough to contain in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Prediction: BYU 101, Texas 96 (OT)

10:00 pm

Overview: My Zags feel like they're in a trap game here. No one is talking about an upset, which makes this very scary. For Kennesaw State, if they can get All-American Graham Ike into foul trouble, this could get dicey for the Bulldogs.

Prediction: Gonzaga 73, Kennesaw State 68

Friday Games

1:35 pm

Overview: Unfortunately, "Fins Up" ends here. The Wildcats are just too powerful across the board, and unless we have some sort of upside-down Stranger Things world event, it’s over.

Prediction: Arizona 89, Long Island 51

4:10 pm

Overview: One of the games of the first round, in my opinion. Utah State, before they head to the new Pac-12, against a Villanova squad from the Big East. This should be a classic 8/9 battle, back and forth for 40 minutes.

Prediction: Utah State 84, Villanova 82

7:35 pm

Overview: As Queens plays possibly their final game ever, of course it has to be against Purdue. Will we see another classic Boilermaker collapse, or is this the end for Queens?

Prediction: Purdue 82, Queens 59

10:10 pm

Overview: Another big-time game here. Miami basically going into Missouri's hometown. For those that don't know... watch out for "Green Greg." But in all seriousness, this will be a good game with some scoring punch.

Prediction: Missouri 72, Miami 70

Conclusion: The West looks like a fun region, but in the end, it feels like another "watch out for the second round" type of region to me.

Midwest Region

Thursday Games

7:10 pm

Overview: Make or eat dinner during this one, boys. Howard got their moment in the First Four; now reality will set in fast against Michigan.

Prediction: Michigan 92, Howard 53

9:45 pm

Overview: We have the Billikens with "Cream Kareem" (Robbie Avila) going against UGA and Blue Cain. If you like 3s, this is the "can't miss" of the weekend. There will be points!

Prediction: Saint Louis 97, Georgia 93

Friday Games

12:15 pm

Overview: MORE POINTS! Santa Clara is coming for the Wildcats, and they have the horses (Broncos) to do this. They are a popular pick to take down the SEC giant.

Prediction: Santa Clara 88, Kentucky 83

12:40 pm

Overview: We have another popular upset pick in Akron. Texas Tech is down their best player but still has some dudes who can and will fill it up. Can the Zips still pull it off? Tavari Johnson will be the key.

Prediction: Akron 68, Texas Tech 61

1:50 pm

Overview: Virginia comes into this tournament as a sleeper pick for the Final Four. For Wright State, they will need to stop Thijs De Ridder if they want any shot at an upset bid.

Prediction: Virginia 68, Wright State 57

2:50 pm

Overview: A hot team heading into the tournament, the Cyclones will look to keep the momentum going against Tennessee State. This is one you should worry about if they are your champion.

Prediction: Iowa State 72, Tennessee State 53

3:15 pm

Overview: This game went from "easy win" to "red alert upset watch" with the troubles in Alabama. Hofstra will be primed to take down a Crimson Tide team with a lot going on behind the scenes.

Prediction: Hofstra 77, Alabama 74

4:25 pm

Overview: WOW the nation now knows what I've known for months this Redhawk team is for real. If they want to continue the run now, they will need to play fast & free against a Tennessee team that will be tired of hearing about these guys.

Prediction: Miami Ohio 84 Tennessee 76

Conclusion: The upsets are finally here! This region is full of possible takedowns; be careful with your brackets here.

There it is, the Round of 64. Those are the best bets I can give you, though of course, we all have our own feelings or "tingles" of what may be the bet that feels just right. Whatever way you decide to go, we all need to enjoy the next couple of days as they only come once a year. Accept the Madness and don't miss a moment!