NCAA Tournament Bracket Busters: Top 6 Second-Round Most Likely Upsets

Grant White
Host · Writer
Midwest Region: (6) Illinois Fighting Illini vs (3) Kentucky Wildcats
Where to Watch Every Saturday Game with Bet365 Odds
(6) Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12) vs (3) Kentucky Wildcats (23-11)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Date: Sunday, March 23
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Illinois -1.5 | Total: 170.5
Moneyline: Illinois -130 | Kentucky +110Everyone is discounting the Kentucky Wildcats right now. Despite being a third seed, Kentucky is installed as short underdogs in Sunday's tilt against the Illinois Fighting Illini. While the public perception of the Wildcats' defense has them at a deficit, we're not looking past their unmerciful offense. The Wildcats are much more efficient from range, and they can put some distance between themselves and Illinois with the three-ball. Don't be fooled by this betting line; Kentucky is advancing.
Midwest Region: (8) Gonzaga Bulldogs vs (1) Houston Cougars
(8) Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-8) vs (1) Houston Cougars (31-4)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Intrust Bank Arena
Location: Wichita, KS
Date: Saturday, March 22
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Spread: Houston -5.0 | Total: 139.5
Moneyline: Houston -225 | Gonzaga +185This could end up being the premier matchup of the Round of 32. The Gonzaga Bulldogs perennially trot out one of the best offenses in the country. Conversely, the Houston Cougars are usually one of the top defenses. That pits strength against strength in what should be a wildly entertaining showdown in Wichita. The Zags' defense has stepped up lately, and we're betting they put an end to Houston's 14-game winning streak.
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East Region: (6) BYU Cougars vs (3) Wisconsin Badgers
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(6) BYU Cougars vs. (3) Wisconsin Badgers
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Ball Arena
Location: Denver
Date: Saturday, March 22
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
Spread: Wisconsin -1.5 | Total: 155.5
Moneyline: Wisconsin -120 | BYU +100The BYU Cougars have looked like a freight train from hell recently. BYU has 10 wins over its last 11 games, with its only defeat coming at the hands of the top-seeded Houston Cougars. More impressively, they've recorded 80 or more in six of their past 80. The Wisconsin Badgers have sometimes looked vulnerable on defense, leaving the door open for a Cougars upset at Ball Arena.
South Region: (9) Creighton Bluejays vs (1) Auburn Tigers
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(9) Creighton Bluejays (25-10) vs Auburn Tigers (29-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Saturday, March 22
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Spread: Auburn -8.5 | Total: 150.5
Moneyline: Auburn -400 | Creighton +320The Creighton Bluejays are perpetually trying to get over the hump in the NCAA Tournament, but they may be able to shed that reputation in the Round of 32. The Auburn Tigers' defense has been exposed recently. The SEC regular season champs have dropped three of their past five, with those opponents averaging 82.0 points per game. Coincidentally, the Bluejays are flying high right now, recording 85 or more points in three of five. Creighton for the win.
East Region: (7) St Mary's Gaels vs (2) Alabama Crimson Tide
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(7) St. Mary's Gaels (29-5) vs (2) Alabama Crimson Tide (26-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rocket Arena
Location: Cleveland, OH
Date: Sunday, March 23
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 6:10 p.m. ET
Spread: Alabama -5.5 | Total: 148.5
Moneyline: Alabama -230 | St. Mary's +190The Alabama Crimson Tide barely escaped their opening-round matchup versus the Robert Morris Colonials. Bama was down by one, well in the second half, before going on a late run but failed to cover the -22.5 spread. They might not be so lucky versus the St. Mary's Gaels in Round 2. St. Mary's can slow the pace, make Alabama play outside their comfort zone, and disrupt their offensive rhythm. If that's the case, the Crimson Tide could be headed home early.
West Region: (12) Colorado State Rams vs (4) Maryland Terrapins
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(12) Colorado State Rams (26-9) vs (4) Maryland Terrapins (26-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Climate Pledge Arena
Location: Seattle, WA
Date: Sunday, March 23
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Spread: Maryland -7.0 | Total: 142.5
Moneyline: Maryland -305 | Colorado State +245The Colorado State Rams have found a new gear late in the season. The Rams have won 11 in a row, including a Mountain West Championship and a first-round win over the fifth-seeded Memphis Tigers. The Maryland Terrapins are standing in their way in the Round of 32, but the Rams are more than capable of pulling off another upset. If Colorado State maintains titscurrent form, there may be no denying the Rams a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
Midwest Region: (6) Illinois Fighting Illini vs (3) Kentucky Wildcats
Where to Watch Every Saturday Game with Bet365 Odds
(6) Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12) vs (3) Kentucky Wildcats (23-11)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Date: Sunday, March 23
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Illinois -1.5 | Total: 170.5
Moneyline: Illinois -130 | Kentucky +110Everyone is discounting the Kentucky Wildcats right now. Despite being a third seed, Kentucky is installed as short underdogs in Sunday's tilt against the Illinois Fighting Illini. While the public perception of the Wildcats' defense has them at a deficit, we're not looking past their unmerciful offense. The Wildcats are much more efficient from range, and they can put some distance between themselves and Illinois with the three-ball. Don't be fooled by this betting line; Kentucky is advancing.
Midwest Region: (8) Gonzaga Bulldogs vs (1) Houston Cougars
(8) Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-8) vs (1) Houston Cougars (31-4)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Intrust Bank Arena
Location: Wichita, KS
Date: Saturday, March 22
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Spread: Houston -5.0 | Total: 139.5
Moneyline: Houston -225 | Gonzaga +185This could end up being the premier matchup of the Round of 32. The Gonzaga Bulldogs perennially trot out one of the best offenses in the country. Conversely, the Houston Cougars are usually one of the top defenses. That pits strength against strength in what should be a wildly entertaining showdown in Wichita. The Zags' defense has stepped up lately, and we're betting they put an end to Houston's 14-game winning streak.
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