5 Picks, Predictions for Friday’s NCAA Tournament | Best Bets

Xavier ML (+130) vs. Illinois

March Madness Previews: East | South | West | Midwest

(11) Xavier (22-11) vs (6) Illinois (21-12)

WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS

Arena: Fiserv Forum

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Date: Friday, March 21

Where to Watch: CBS

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Spread: Kentucky -11.5 | Total: 151.5

Moneyline: KEN -750 | TROY +525

SportsGrid Matchup Page

We're back with another First Four participant on our bet slip! The Musketeers were already a team I was fond of before Big East Tournament play, and it was encouraging to see them give Marquette all they could handle in the Big East quarterfinals. The team felt just a few miscues away from being a real threat in any bracket, and then it clicked late against Texas. Xavier climbed the mountain of a double-digit deficit and downed the Longhorns in front of a rocking home atmosphere to punch their ticket to the Round of 64. They have now won eight of their previous nine games, and are shooting the lights out of the ball at nearly 40 percent on the year from beyond the arc. Ryan Conwell is really turning into the star they anticipated when he transferred in from Indiana State, and we're looking to get on the bandwagon here.

North Carolina -2 vs. Ole Miss

Iowa State vs Lipscomb Same Game Parlay

(11) North Carolina (23-13) vs (6) Ole Miss (22-11)

WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS

Arena: Fiserv Forum

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Date: Friday, March 21

Where to Watch: TNT

Time: 4:05 p.m. ET

Spread: UNC -2 | Total: 156

Moneyline: UNC -130 | MISS +100

SportsGrid Matchup Page

Every year, it seems as if a First Four team makes a bit of a run by winning at least a game or two once the true tournament begins. We'll say North Carolina is that team this year after dismantling San Diego State on Wednesday night in Dayton to seal their spot in this game. The ceiling has always been there for the Tar Heels, but living up to it against quality competition has been their issue all season. Perhaps they are finding it at the right time? We'll back the Heels against a gettable Ole Miss side here.

Troy +11.5 vs. Kentucky

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(14) Troy (23-10) vs (3) Kentucky (22-11)

WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS

Arena: Fiserv Forum

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Date: Friday, March 21

Where to Watch: CBS

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Spread: Kentucky -11.5 |

Total: 151.5

Moneyline: KENT -750 | TROY +525

SportsGrid Matchup Page

We'll back another hefty underdog here to keep things close on Friday, this time in the form of the Troy Trojans. Star guard Lamont Butler may still not be 100 percent on his return from a shoulder injury, and we fear the inconsistencies we saw from Kentucky all season. The Wildcats never strung together more than two wins together throughout any stretch of conference play. Troy will do their best to hang with Kentucky with a roster that has been together - top ten in the nation in continuity - and has some length and size that could trouble Kentucky.

Marquette -4 vs. New Mexico

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(10) New Mexico (26-7) vs (7) Marquette (23-10)

WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS

Arena: Rocket Arena

Location: Cleveland, OH

Date: Friday, March 21

Where to Watch: TBS

Time: 7:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Marquette -4 | Total: 152.5

Moneyline: MARQ -180 | UNM +150

SportsGrid Matchup Page

This is a pure fade of the Mountain West after what we have seen from the conference throughout this tournament. The MWC representatives at the Big Dance have been abysmal, with San Diego State losing by 27 in the First Four and Utah State losing by 25 on Thursday night. This has been a constant trend for the league for some time now, and we don't see it stopping against a gelled, talented, and athletic Marquette team in this spot. Lay it with the Golden Eagles and fade the playstyle of the Mountain West until further notice.

Xavier ML (+130) vs. Illinois

March Madness Previews: East | South | West | Midwest

(11) Xavier (22-11) vs (6) Illinois (21-12)

WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS

Arena: Fiserv Forum

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Date: Friday, March 21

Where to Watch: CBS

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Spread: Kentucky -11.5 | Total: 151.5

Moneyline: KEN -750 | TROY +525

SportsGrid Matchup Page

We're back with another First Four participant on our bet slip! The Musketeers were already a team I was fond of before Big East Tournament play, and it was encouraging to see them give Marquette all they could handle in the Big East quarterfinals. The team felt just a few miscues away from being a real threat in any bracket, and then it clicked late against Texas. Xavier climbed the mountain of a double-digit deficit and downed the Longhorns in front of a rocking home atmosphere to punch their ticket to the Round of 64. They have now won eight of their previous nine games, and are shooting the lights out of the ball at nearly 40 percent on the year from beyond the arc. Ryan Conwell is really turning into the star they anticipated when he transferred in from Indiana State, and we're looking to get on the bandwagon here.