Predicting the First Round of the NCAA Tournament Based on ESPN’s BPI Rankings

John Canady
Host · Writer
Midwest Region First Round: (15) Wofford vs. Tennessee (2)
(15) Wofford (19-15) vs (2) Tennessee (27-7)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Spread: Tennessee -19 | Total: 133.0
Moneyline: Tennessee -4000 | Wofford +1550
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(2) Tennessee (5th BPI) Over (15) Wofford (139th BPI)
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South Region First Round: (16) Alabama State vs. Auburn (1)
(16) Alabama State (19-15) vs (1) Auburn (28-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 2:50 p.m. ET
Spread: N/A | Total: N/A
Moneyline: N/A | N/A
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(1) Auburn (3rd BPI) Over (16) Alabama State (275th BPI)
South Region First Round: (9) Creighton vs. Louisville (8)
(9) Creighton (24-10) vs (8) Louisville (27-7)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 12:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Louisville -2.5 | Total: 145.5
Moneyline: Louisville -140 | Creighton +120
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(9) Creighton (26th BPI) Over (8) Louisville (28th BPI)
South Region First Round: (12) UC San Diego vs. Michigan (5)
(12) UC San Diego (30-4) vs (5) Michigan (25-9)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, Colorado
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Michigan -2.5 | Total: 141.5
Moneyline: Michigan -150 | UC San Diego +125
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(5) Michigan (29th BPI) Over (12) UC San Diego (57th BPI)
South Region First Round: (13) Yale vs. Texas A&M (4)
(13) Yale (22-7) vs (4) Texas A&M (22-10)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, CO
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Spread: Texas A&M -7.5 | Total: 140.5
Moneyline: Texas A&M -320 | Yale +260
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(4) Texas A&M (22nd BPI) Over (13) Yale (68th BPI)
South Region First Round: (11) North Carolina vs. Ole Miss (6)
(11) North Carolina (22-13) vs (6) Ole Miss (22-11)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Spread: N/A | Total: N/A
Moneyline: N/A | N/A
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(11) North Carolina (25th BPI) Over (6) Ole Miss (32nd BPI)
South Region First Round: (14) Lipscomb vs. Iowa State (3)
(14) Lipscomb (25-9) vs (3) Iowa State (24-9)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Spread: N/A | Total: N/A
Moneyline: N/A | N/A
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(3) Iowa State (7th BPI) Over (14) Lipscomb (106th BPI)
South Region First Round: (10) New Mexico vs. Marquette (7)
(10) New Mexico (19-15) 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: 152.0
Moneyline: Marquette -170 | New Mexico +145
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(7) Marquette (20th BPI) Over (10) New Mexico (49th BPI)
South Region First Round: (15) Bryan vs. Michigan State (2)
(15) Bryan (23-11) vs (1) Michigan State (27-6)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rocket Arena
Location: Cleveland, OH
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Michigan State -17.5 | Total: 152.5
Moneyline: Michigan State -2500 | +1250
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(2) Michigan State (11th BPI) Over (15) Bryant (131st BPI)
West Region First Round: (16) Norfolk State vs. Florida (1)
(16) Norfolk State (24-10) vs (1) Florida (30-4)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Lenovo Center
Location: Raleigh, NC
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Spread: Florida -28.5 | Total: 153.5
Moneyline: Florida -10000 | Norfolk State +2500
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(1) Florida (4th BPI) Over (16) Norfolk State (171st BPI)
West Region First Round: (9) Oklahoma vs. UConn (8)
(9) Oklahoma (20-13) vs (1) UConn (23-10)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Lenovo Center
Location: Raleigh, NC
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 9:25 p.m. ET
Spread: UConn -4.5 | Total: 148.5
Moneyline: UConn -200 | Oklahoma +165
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(8) UConn (16th BPI) Over (9) Oklahoma (43rd BPI)
West Region First Round: (12) Colorado State vs. Memphis (5)
(12) Colorado State (25-9) vs (5) Memphis (29-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Climate Pledge Arena
Location: Seattle, WA
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Colorado State -2.5 | Total: 147.5
Moneyline: Colorado State -140 | Memphis +120
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(5) Memphis (46th BPI) Over (12) Colorado State (53rd BPI)
West Region First Round: (13) Grand Canyon vs. Maryland (4)
(13) Grand Canyon (26-7) vs (4) Maryland (25-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Climate Pledge Arena
Location: Seattle, WA
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET
Spread: Maryland -10.5 | Total: 150.0
Moneyline: Maryland -575 | Grand Canyon +425
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(4) Maryland (13th BPI) Over (13) Grand Canyon (87th BPI)
West Region First Round: (11) Drake vs. Missouri (6) Second Round - Mississippi St. vs Missouri
(11) Drake (30-3) vs (6) Missouri (22-11)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Intrust Bank Arena
Location: Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: truTV
Time: 7:35 p.m. ET
Spread: Missouri -6.5 | Total: 133.5
Moneyline: Missouri -270 | Drake +220
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(6) Missouri (31st BPI) Over (16) Drake (73rd BPI)
West Region First Round: (14) UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech (3)
(14) UNC Wilmington (27-7) vs (3) Texas Tech (25-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: INTRUST Bank Arena
Location: Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: truTV
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Spread: Texas Tech -15.5 | Total: 143.5
Moneyline: Texas Tech -1700 | UNC Wilmington +950
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(3) Texas Tech (8th BPI) Over (14) UNC Wilmington (111th BPI)
West Region First Round: (7) Kansas vs. Arkansas (10)
(10) Arkansas (20-13) vs (7) Kansas (21-12)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Amica Mutual Pavilion
Location: Providence, RI
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Spread: Kansas -4.5 | Total: 153.5
Moneyline: Kansas -200 | Arkansas +165
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(7) Kansas (14th BPI) Over (10) Arkansas (42nd BPI)
West Region First Round: (15) Omaha vs. St. John’s (2)
(15) Omaha (22-12) vs (2) St John’s (30-4)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Amica Mutual Pavilion
Location: Providence, RI
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 9:45 p.m. ET
Spread: St John’s -18.5 | Total: 148.0
Moneyline: St. John’s -4000 | Omaha +1550
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(2) St John’s (12th BPI) Over (15) Omaha (211th BPI)
East Region First Round: (16) American vs. Duke (1)
(16) American (22-12) vs (1) Duke (31-3)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Lenovo Center
Location: Raleigh, NC
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 2:50 p.m. ET
Spread: N/A | Total: N/A
Moneyline: N/A | Arkansas N/A
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(1) Duke (1st BPI) Over (16) American (227th BPI)
East Region First Round: (9) Baylor vs. Mississippi State (8)
(9) Baylor (19-14) vs (8) Mississippi State (21-12)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Lenovo Center
Location: Raleigh, NC
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 12:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Mississippi State -2.0 | Total: 130
Moneyline: Mississippi State -130 | Baylor +110
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(9) Baylor (19th BPI) Over (8) Mississippi State (35th BPI)
East Region First Round: (12) Liberty vs. Oregon (5)
(12) Liberty (28-6) vs (5) Oregon (24-9)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Climate Pledge Arena
Location: Seattle, WA
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: truTV
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Spread: Oregon -6.5 | Total: 139.5
Moneyline: Liberty +235 | Oregon -290
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(5) Oregon (36th BPI) Over (12) Liberty (85th BPI)
East Region First Round: (13) Akron vs. Arizona (4)
(13) Akron (28-6) vs (4) Arizona (22-12)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Climate Pledge Arena
Location: Seattle, WA
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 7:35 p.m. ET
Spread: Arizona -14.0 | Total: 167.0
Moneyline: Arizona -1100 | Akron +700
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(4) Arizona (9th BPI) Over (13) Akron (112th BPI)
East Region First Round: (11) VCU vs. BYU (6)
(11) VCU (28-6) vs (6) BYU (24-9)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, CO
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Spread: BYU -3 | Total: 146.5
Moneyline: BYU -165 | VCU +140
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(6) BYU (24th BPI) Over (11) VCU (34th BPI)
East Region First Round: (14) Montana vs. Wisconsin (3)
(14) Montana (25-9) vs (3) Wisconsin (26-9)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, CO
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Spread: Wisconsin -17.0 | Total: 151.5
Moneyline: Wisconsin -2200 | Montana +1100
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(3) Wisconsin (18th BPI) Over (14) Montana (173rd BPI)
East Region First Round: (10) Vanderbilt vs. Saint Mary’s (7)
(10) Vanderbilt (20-12) vs (7) Saint Mary’s (28-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rocket Arena
Location: Cleveland, OH
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Saint Mary’s -4.0 | Total: 136.5
Moneyline: Saint Mary’s -180 | Vanderbilt +150
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(7) Saint Mary’s (30th BPI) Over (10) Vanderbilt (56th BPI)
East Region First Round: (15) Robert Morris vs. Alabama (2)
(15) Robert Morris (26-8) vs (2) Alabama (25-8)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rocket Arena
Location: Cleveland, OH
Date: Friday, March 21
Where to Watch: truTV
Time: 12:40 p.m. ET
Spread: Alabama -22.5 | Total: 165.5
Moneyline: Alabama -8000 | Robert Morris +1800
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(2) Alabama (6th BPI) Over (16) American (168th BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (16) SIUE vs. Houston (1)
(16) SIUE (22-11) vs (1) Houston (30-4)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: INTRUST Bank Arena
Location: Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Houston -28.5 | Total: 126.5
Moneyline: Houston -10000 | SIUE +2500
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(1) Houston (2nd BPI) Over (16) SIUE (240th BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (9) Georgia vs. Gonzaga (8)
(9) Georgia (22-12) vs (8) Gonzaga (31-3)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: INTRUST Bank Arena
Location: Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TBS
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET
Spread: Gonzaga -6 | Total: 151.5
Moneyline: Gonzaga -260 | Georgia +210
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(8) Gonzaga (10th BPI) Over (9) Georgia (38th BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (12) McNeese vs. Clemson (5)
(12) McNeese (27-6) vs (1) Clemson (27-6)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Amica Mutual Pavilion
Location: Providence, RI
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: truTV
Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Spread: Clemson -7.5 | Total: 134.5
Moneyline: Clemson -350 | McNeese +275
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(5) Clemson (15th BPI) Over (12) McNeese (66th BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (13) High Point vs. Purdue (4)
(13) High Point (29-5) vs (4) Purdue (22-11)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Amica Mutual Pavilion
Location: Providence, RI
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: truTV
Time: 12:40 p.m. ET
Spread: Purdue -8 | Total: 153.5
Moneyline: Purdue -380 | High Point +300
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(4) Purdue (21st BPI) Over (13) High Point (BPI N/A)
Midwest Region First Round: (11) Texas vs. Illinois (6)
(11) Texas (19-15) 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: 9:45 p.m. ET
Spread: N/A | Total: N/A
Moneyline: N/A | N/A
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(6) Illinois (23rd BPI) Over (11) Texas (33rd BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (14) Troy vs. Kentucky (3)
(14) Troy (23-10) vs (6) 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 | Total: 153.5
Moneyline: Kentucky -650 | Troy +475
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(3) Kentucky (17th BPI) Over (14) Troy (109th BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (10) Utah State vs. UCLA (7)
(10) Utah State (26-7) vs (7) UCLA (22-10)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 9:25 p.m. ET
Spread: UCLA -5.5 | Total: 144.5
Moneyline: UCLA -240 | Utah State +195
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(7) UCLA (27th BPI) Over (10) Utah State (44th BPI)
Midwest Region First Round: (15) Wofford vs. Tennessee (2)
(15) Wofford (19-15) vs (2) Tennessee (27-7)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: TNT
Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Spread: Tennessee -19 | Total: 133.0
Moneyline: Tennessee -4000 | Wofford +1550
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(2) Tennessee (5th BPI) Over (15) Wofford (139th BPI)
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
South Region First Round: (16) Alabama State vs. Auburn (1)
(16) Alabama State (19-15) vs (1) Auburn (28-5)
WHERE TO WATCH & bet365 ODDS
Arena: Rupp Arena
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Thursday, March 20
Where to Watch: CBS
Time: 2:50 p.m. ET
Spread: N/A | Total: N/A
Moneyline: N/A | N/A
PICK BASED ON ESPN'S BPI
(1) Auburn (3rd BPI) Over (16) Alabama State (275th BPI)

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