8 March Madness Game Picks

The opening round of the NCAA tournament is filled with excitement. Here are eight games that will fill your brackets (and maybe your wallets too).

NCAA-MensBracket_2022 March Madness is getting to me. I always tell my readers to select one to four games when they’re looking at the board. And personally, I go with teams or conferences I’m familiar with.

But March Madness changes all of that. I’m going to pick a side, total or prop bet in each of eight games in the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 18. If I can hit five out of eight, that will give me a winning percentage of 62.5. A good handicapper would love to hit anything over the break-even point of 52.4%. So let’s get it on and pick the Friday board.

March Madness: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Loyola Illinois Ramblers

The Buckeyes are a No. 7 seed, and the Ramblers are 10. The game is currently a pick at press time. The total is 132.5. In most Ramblers’ games against quality non-conference opponents, both teams scored between 115 and 127. This game is an early start and is about to follow that same pattern. I’m going under in this game.

Auburn Tigers vs. Jackson State Gamecocks

The Tigers are the favorite by 15.5 and 138.5 for the total. The Tigers will press and turn you over. The Gamecocks play methodically. I expect the Tigers to exert their will early. While they’re not the same team on the road, they’ll create turnovers from their press. I found a halftime line that has Auburn favored by 8.5 at a price of –115. That’s my play for this game. The moneyline is a lean for someone out there with deep pockets. Auburn is –2000.

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March Madness: Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Montana State Bobcats

The Raiders are favored by 15.0 against the Bobcats and the total is 132.5. The Big 12 has six teams in the field. The best conference in the country will show up with at least 4 of them advancing to the next round. Texas Tech will be one of them. I would lay the 15 at the price of –110.

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Yale Bulldogs

The Boilermakers are a No. 3 seed, and the Bulldogs are a 14. Oddsmakers favor Purdue by 15.5 with the total at 143.0. The money line is –1700. Purdue is not a good team against the spread. The Big 10 has inexplicably not shown up in the NCAA tournament. I’m not enamored with laying the 15.5. I do think the Boilermakers win the game, so I have enough to go with a moneyline bet.

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Villanova Wildcats vs. Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens

Villanova is a No. 2 seed, and the Blue Hens are a 15. Villanova is favored by 15.5 points and the total is 133.5. The money line is –2000. The Wildcats are winning ugly, and the Blue Hens are familiar with them. Villanova hasn’t been scoring from 3-point range lately. Villanova wins, but isn’t scoring enough points for me to lay 15.5. I would take Villanova’s point total under the projected amount of 74.5. The price is –115.

LSU Tigers vs. Iowa State Cyclones

LSÚ is favored by 4.0 points with the total at 127.5. The Tigers are a No. 6 seed, they have an interim coach after Will Vill was fired because of allegations against him and the program. The Cyclones have some quality out of conference wins against Xavier and Iowa. They haven’t played well of late. Both teams have shown the inability to score. I’ll lean toward the under for this game.

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Duke Blue Devils vs. Cal State Fullerton Tigers

Duke is favored by 18.5 against the Tigers and the total is 146.5. Duke is a No. 2 seed and flirted with being a 1 before losing in the ACC Tournament Finals. Duke will win this game and cover the number.

March Madness: Arizona Wildcats vs. ???

The Wildcats will play the winner of the Bryant Bulldogs–Wright State Raiders game. Arizona is a No. 1 seed and will have no problem with the winner. The Arizona Wildcats team projected scoring total should be between 80 and 84.5. Take them over whatever number the line settles at.