NCAAB · 8 months ago

Top 10 Must-See March Madness First-Round Matchups

Grant White

Host · Writer

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

While the Gonzaga Bulldogs have the advantage, the Georgia Bulldogs are proven to be giant killers all season long. Georgia has marquee wins over some of the best teams in the country, a reputation they will need to enhance in their first-round contest. Gonzaga has leveled up its play down the stretch, and we'll see if the Bulldogs can keep pace.
South Region First Round: (9) Creighton vs. Louisville (8)
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(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

The 8 vs. 9 NCAA Tournament matchups always deliver the most electric results. That's exactly what we're expecting when the Creighton Bluejays take on the Louisville Cardinals. Despite some roster turnover this past offseason, Creighton is right back in the mix this season. The Bluejays have the defensive structure to limit the Cardinals attack, and the offense talents to keep pace. This is appointment viewing.
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

A tumultuous end to the regular season was forgotten following the Michigan Wolverines Big Ten Tournament Championship. However, this is still a team that tends to go cold at the wrong times. They can't afford any such missteps if they hope to advance past the UC San Diego Tritons in the Round of 64. The Tritons are one of the top offenses in the tournament and they can test Michigan's defensive resolve.
South Region First Round: (11) North Carolina vs. Ole Miss (6)
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(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

At this point, everyone is excited to see what the North Carolina Tar Heels bring to the court. That's particularly true in their Round of 64 matchup versus the Ole Miss Rebels. We've seen the Rebels get trampled on offense and those defensive inefficiencies could be exposed by a dangerous UNC lineup. Don't be surprised if the Tar Heels continue their tournament run in Milwaukee.
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

The Iowa State Cyclones are faltering at the worst time of year. The once highly-regarded Cyclones lost three of their last five to close out the regular season and couldn't find a way to avenge those losses in the Big 12 Tournament. Now, they have to try and get past a feisty Lipscomb Bisons squad that can make it rain from beyond the arc. Covering the spread is well within reach for the Bisons, but they could have their sights set on a berth in the Round of 32.
West Region First Round: (9) Oklahoma vs. UConn (8)
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(9) Oklahoma (20-13) vs (8) 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

The UConn Huskies don't look as invincible as they have in years past, and that could be their undoing in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Oklahoma Sooners went on a late-season tear, going from the wrong side of the bubble all the way into a ninth seed in the West. These teams will trade shots all game, and we wouldn't be surprised if a buzzer-beater is the difference between winning and losing.
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

When it comes to bracket picking, picking a 12 seed over a five seed is all the rage. However, it's much less common to see the lower seed installed as favorites in that matchup. The Colorado State Rams enter their West Region showdown versus the Memphis Tigers as -2.5 chalk. Don't expect the Tigers to roll over and play dead, though. This has all the makings of an instant classic.
West Region First Round: (7) Kansas vs. Arkansas (10)
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(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

Fans of high-scoring basketball will want to tune into this one. The Kansas Jayhawks and Arkansas Razorbacks have abandoned any semblance of defensive integrity. Despite having totals in the 150s, Kansas has gone over the total in three straight. Likewise, the Razorbacks have gone north of the total in four straight and six of seven. Extended scoring runs are an eventuality in this pivotal 10 vs. 7 matchup.
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

This is one of the most evenly matched games in the NCAA Tournament, and that's reflected in the spread. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are short -2 favorites versus the Baylor Bears. Both teams play an unrelenting game at both ends, ensuring this turns into a tactical showdown. The Bears like to slow things down, whereas the Bulldogs can push the pace on offense. Whichever team dictates pace has the upper hand when it comes to advancing.
East Region First Round: (11) VCU vs. BYU (6)

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(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

Playing in neighboring Colorado, the BYU Cougars could feel the roar of a home-friendly crowd at Ball Arena in Denver. But they might not need extra help to get past the VCU Rams. BYU has been playing on another level recently, eclipsing 85 points in six of its last eight. That will force the Rams to try and keep pace in what could turn into one of the highest-scoring games of the opening round.
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

While the Gonzaga Bulldogs have the advantage, the Georgia Bulldogs are proven to be giant killers all season long. Georgia has marquee wins over some of the best teams in the country, a reputation they will need to enhance in their first-round contest. Gonzaga has leveled up its play down the stretch, and we'll see if the Bulldogs can keep pace.
South Region First Round: (9) Creighton vs. Louisville (8)
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(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

The 8 vs. 9 NCAA Tournament matchups always deliver the most electric results. That's exactly what we're expecting when the Creighton Bluejays take on the Louisville Cardinals. Despite some roster turnover this past offseason, Creighton is right back in the mix this season. The Bluejays have the defensive structure to limit the Cardinals attack, and the offense talents to keep pace. This is appointment viewing.

Top 10 Must-See March Madness First-Round Matchups

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