The second day of March Madness action promises to be just as exciting as the first. If you want to know what kinds of bets you need to make on these games, then you should check out the variety of selections that are recommended below.
Make sure you’re looking at the hottest contests on the board game-by-game to truly lock in the best value bets that you can find.
The first round offers plenty of betting opportunities across all the great matchups. Here’s an overview of all the games happening Friday and a good betting spot for each.
| Team |  | | Team | Date/Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (7) Michigan St. | -1.5 (-110) | o137.5 (-110) | (10) USC | March 17, 12:15 PM |
| (3) Xavier | -13 (-110) | o154 (-110) | (14) Kennesaw St. | March 17, 12:40 PM |
| (3) Baylor | -10.5 (-110) | o143 (-110) | (14) UC Santa Barbara | March 17, 1:30 PM |
| (5) Saint Mary’s | -4 (-110) | o123 (-110) | (12) VCU | March 17, 2:00 PM |
| (2) Marquette | -10.5 (-110) | o145.5 (-110) | (15) Vermont | March 17, 2:45 PM |
| (6) Iowa St. | -4 (-110) | o131 (-110) | (11) Pittsburgh | March 17, 3:10 PM |
| (6) Creighton | -5 (-110) | o149 (-110) | (11) NC St. | March 17, 4:00 PM |
| (4) Connecticut | -9 (-110) | o141 (-110) | (13) Iona | March 17, 4:30 PM |
| (1) Purdue | -23 (-110) | o145 (-110) | (16) Fairleigh Dickinson | March 17, 6:50 PM |
| (6) Kentucky | -4 (-110) | o144.5 (-110) | (11) Providence | March 17, 7:10 PM |
| (5) Miami-Florida | –2 (-110) | o146.5 (-110) | (12) Drake | March 17, 7:25 PM |
| (3) Gonzaga | -15.5 (-110) | o156 (-110) | (14) Grand Canyon | March 17, 7:35 PM |
| (8) Memphis | -1.5 (-110) | o153 (-110) | (9) Florida Atlantic | March 17, 9:20 PM |
| (3) Kansas State | -8.5 (-110) | o139.5 (-110) | (14) Montana St. | March 17, 9:40 PM |
| (4) Indiana | -4.5 (-110) | o140.5 (-110) | (13) Kent St. | March 17, 9:55 PM |
| (6) TCU | –6 (-110) | o141 (-110) | (11) Arizona State | March 17, 10:05 PM |
(10) USC vs (7) Michigan State (-1.5, 137.5 o/u)
Time (ET): 12:15 p.m.
Odds to win region: USC (+2500), Michigan State (+1400)
Odds to win tournament: USC (+12500), Michigan State (+8000)
USC and Michigan State are squaring off in the first game of the day on Friday. The winner will get to meet the victor of the Marquette-Vermont matchup. In this contest, USC is looking like an appealing bet to make given its tendency to beat the spread when it plays on the road (9-4 against the spread). This matchup will be on a neutral court, but that record makes a strong case for taking the points and USC.
Betting stat to know: Michigan State has a 5-6 record on the road this season.
Best Bet: USC +1.5 (-110)
(14) Kennesaw State vs (3) Xavier (-13, 154 o/u)
Time (ET): 12:40 p.m.
Odds to win region: Kennesaw State (+15000), Xavier (+1000)
Odds to win tournament: Kennesaw State (+75000), Xavier (+5000)
The most exciting thing about this matchup might be just how many points are dropped through the bucket. Both teams are known as high-scoring and they are likely to keep up their fast pace of play for this game. However, March Madness is a different beast and teams often come out tight and play a bit slower. This total opened at 151 points and the line has moved to 154.
Betting stat to know: While both teams have hit the over much more than the under this season, both of them have actually had more road games go under than over, suggesting that they aren’t as prolific at scoring away from home.
Best Bet: Under 154 (-110)
(14) UC Santa Barbara vs (3) Baylor (-10.5, 143 o/u)
Time (ET): 1:30 p.m.
Odds to win region: UC Santa Barbara (+10000), Baylor (+550)
Odds to win tournament: UC Santa Barbara (+50000), Baylor (+2000)
There are a lot of people getting very excited about a potential upset by UC Santa Barbara in this matchup against Baylor. Many people across the sports betting community are licking their lips at the prospect of this being one of the shock games that upends many brackets and causes a lot of people to throw their brackets in the trash. UCSB is 10-5 against the spread in its last 15 away games, and 5-0 overall in its last five games. Given the 10.5 points that are being gifted to UCSB, you might want to snap up this as your best bet of the day.
Betting stat to know: USCB is 4-1 against the spread as an underdog and 10-5 against the spread away from home.
Best Bet: UCSB +10.5 (-110)
UC Santa Barbara +10.5
(12) VCU vs (5) Saint Mary’s (-4, 123 o/u)
Time (ET): 2:00 p.m.
Odds to win region: VCU (+6000), Saint Mary’s (+1100)
Odds to win tournament: VCU (+20000), Saint Mary’s(+4000)
VCU might be the best hope for a 12-seed to topple a 5-seed in this tournament, which is always a popular upset position. This is something that happens in virtually every March Madness tournament, and a 12-5 upset will probably happen this year again. Therefore, you should keep an eye on VCU that is 5-0 in its last five games. Take VCU on the moneyline.
Betting stat to know: VCU is 5-0 in its last five games while Saint Mary’s has a 3-2 record over its last five.
Best Bet: VCU moneyline (+165)
(15) Vermont vs (2) Marquette (-10.5, 145.5 o/u)
Time (ET): 2:45 p.m.
Odds to win region: Vermont (+8000), Marquette (+450)
Odds to win tournament: Vermont (+40000), Marquette (+2000)
Marquette is sitting pretty with its 2-seed in this tournament. However, the Golden Eagles certainly didn’t get the easiest matchup with Vermont in the first round. Vermont is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games and that will not go unnoticed by sports bettors. In fact, it appears to be pushing down on the spread in this game. However, Marquette is a dominant team as well, and it’s even a good contender to potentially win the entire tournament. Therefore, you should take the Golden Eagles in this matchup.
Betting stat to know: Marquette is 23-1 as a favourite this year and features five players that average at least nine points per game, giving it one of the most balanced attacks in the country.
Best Bet: Marquette -10.5 (-110)
(11) Pittsburgh vs (6) Iowa State (-4, 131 o/u)
Time (ET): 3:10 p.m.
Odds to win region: Pittsburgh (+4000), Iowa State (+1600)
Odds to win tournament: Pittsburgh (+30000), Iowa State (+6000)
Pittsburgh won the play-in game to earn the right to face off against Iowa State. Iowa State has been struggling over the past few weeks and will now face a Pittsburgh team that is playing its second game. The play-in game can sometimes act as a great chance for a team to get warmed up for the tournament and gain some momentum. After a one-point victory, look for Pittsburgh to keep this one close.
Betting stat to know: Iowa State is 2-3 in its last five games, both against the spread and straight up.
Best Bet: Pittsburgh +4.0 (-110)
(11) NC State vs (6) Creighton (-5, 149 o/u)
Time (ET): 4:00 p.m.
Odds to win region: NC State (+5000), Creighton (+850)
Odds to win tournament: NC State (+20000), Creighton (+4000)
Creighton and NC State both come into this one struggling. NC State has won just two of its last five games while Creighton has won three of its last five games. While they haven’t been able to rack up a ton of wins, both teams have been hitting the over. The over has hit in four of Creighton’s last five games and three of five for NC State.
Betting stat to know: Over has hit in four of Creighton’s last five games.
Best Bets: Over 149 (-110)
| Team | | | Team | Date/Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (7) Michigan St. | -1.5 (-110) | o137.5 (-110) | (10) USC | March 17, 12:15 PM |
| (3) Xavier | -13 (-110) | o154 (-110) | (14) Kennesaw St. | March 17, 12:40 PM |
| (3) Baylor | -10.5 (-110) | o143 (-110) | (14) UC Santa Barbara | March 17, 1:30 PM |
| (5) Saint Mary’s | -4 (-110) | o123 (-110) | (12) VCU | March 17, 2:00 PM |
| (2) Marquette | -10.5 (-110) | o145.5 (-110) | (15) Vermont | March 17, 2:45 PM |
| (6) Iowa St. | -4 (-110) | o131 (-110) | (11) Pittsburgh | March 17, 3:10 PM |
| (6) Creighton | -5 (-110) | o149 (-110) | (11) NC St. | March 17, 4:00 PM |
| (4) Connecticut | -9 (-110) | o141 (-110) | (13) Iona | March 17, 4:30 PM |
| (1) Purdue | -23 (-110) | o145 (-110) | (16) Fairleigh Dickinson | March 17, 6:50 PM |
| (6) Kentucky | -4 (-110) | o144.5 (-110) | (11) Providence | March 17, 7:10 PM |
| (5) Miami-Florida | –2 (-110) | o146.5 (-110) | (12) Drake | March 17, 7:25 PM |
| (3) Gonzaga | -15.5 (-110) | o156 (-110) | (14) Grand Canyon | March 17, 7:35 PM |
| (8) Memphis | -1.5 (-110) | o153 (-110) | (9) Florida Atlantic | March 17, 9:20 PM |
| (3) Kansas State | -8.5 (-110) | o139.5 (-110) | (14) Montana St. | March 17, 9:40 PM |
| (4) Indiana | -4.5 (-110) | o140.5 (-110) | (13) Kent St. | March 17, 9:55 PM |
| (6) TCU | –6 (-110) | o141 (-110) | (11) Arizona State | March 17, 10:05 PM |
(13) Iona vs (4) UConn (-9, 141 o/u)
Time (ET): 4:30 p.m.
Odds to win region: Iona (+12500), UConn (+450)
Odds to win tournament: Iona (+50000), UConn (+1600)
UConn is one of the biggest sleeper teams in this tournament that no one seems to be talking about. The Huskies are coming into the tournament with a 4-1 against the spread in their last five games. They’re doing a great job in nearly every game that they’ve played in recently, and reaching the 4-seed is a great spot for them. Thus, not only should one consider taking the Huskies on the moneyline in this game, but they ought to take them against the spread as well.
Betting stat to know: Connecticut is 21-12 against the spread this season.
Best Bet: UConn -9 (-110)
(16) Fairleigh Dickinson vs (1) Purdue (-23, 145 o/u)
Time (ET): 6:50 p.m.
Odds to win region: Fairleigh Dickinson (+10000), Purdue (+300)
Odds to win the tournament: Fairleigh Dickinson (+75000), Purdue (+1100)
Purdue is the No. 1 seed for a reason and this game should be a blowout. Even at the low odds of +300 to win the region, Purdue is likely to make a nice run in the tournament. The better bet may be to take them to win the tournament overall. This is always going to be a longshot bet no matter which team you select, but the +1100 odds are certainly a great place to splash a little money on.
Betting stat to know: The Boilermakers are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games.
Best Bet: Purdue, Tournament Winner +1100
(11) Providence vs (6) Kentucky (-4, 144.5 o/u)
Time (ET): 7:10 p.m.
Odds to win region: Providence (+2500), Kentucky (+900)
Odds to win tournament: Providence (+12500), Kentucky (+4000)
Kentucky is struggling of late with a record of just 3-2 in its last five games. However, the Wildcats caught a lucky break by being matched up against Providence. Providence is also struggling lately with a record of just 1-4 in its last five games. This is a matchup of teams that are going to have to make some magic in the tournament to get very far. That said, a simple moneyline wager on Kentucky might be the way to go in this matchup, even though your return won’t be as great.
Betting stat to know: Both teams have identical 21-11 records heading into this one, although Kentucky has played the tougher schedule.
Best Bet: Kentucky moneyline (-192)
(12) Drake vs (5) Miami (-2, 146.5 o/u)
Time (ET): 7:25 p.m.
Odds to win region: Drake (+5000), Miami(+1400)
Odds to win tournament: Drake (+30000), Miami (+4000)
Drake is in an interesting spot as the 12-seed here. Unfortunately, it’s meeting a Miami team that is 9-2 against the spread in road games. That is something that cannot be overlooked for this matchup. Don’t follow the crowd and think that Drake might pull off the upset. It’s not going to happen this time. You need to take Miami at the -2 number in this one.
Betting stat to know: Miami is 9-2 against the spread on the road while Drake is 6-9 against the spread away from home.
Best Bet: Miami -2 (-110)
Miami -2
(14) Grand Canyon vs (3) Gonzaga (-15.5, 156 o/u)
Time (ET): 7:35 p.m.
Odds to win region: Grand Canyon – odds off the board, Gonzaga – odds off the board
Odds to win tournament: Grand Canyon (+50000), Gonzaga (+1600)
Fans of scoring will want to watch this game. Between the two teams, they have combined for seven overs in their last 10 games. This is something that should be noted as this game approaches. Yes, the 157 number is going to be scary for some gamblers, but you need to make sure you’re looking at the fact that these two teams have done a great job of beating their O/U numbers lately. Gonzaga also has one of the best offences in the entire country.
Betting stat to know: Grand Canyon has hit the over in 14 of its last 17 at home (24-8 o/u this year).
Best Bet: Over 156 (-110)
(9) Florida Atlantic vs (8) Memphis (-1.5, 153 o/u)
Time (ET): 9:20 p.m.
Odds to win region: Florida Atlantic (+3000), Memphis (+1200)
Odds to win tournament: Florida Atlantic (+15000), Memphis (+5000)
Memphis is in a good spot here to win in an 8-9 matchup. These games are always some of the most difficult to predict. They play in a better division than the Florida Atlantic Owls and boast a strong record. Florida Atlanta has done a great job to get into the tournament, but it has also had a few ugly losses this year as well. It’s reasonable to go with Memphis in this contest.
Betting stat to know: Memphis has played Houston twice in the past couple weeks, winning one game and losing the other by two. Those are impressive showings against one of the best teams in the country.
Best Bet: Memphis -1.5 (-110)
(14) Montana State vs (3) Kansas State (-8.5, 139.5 o/u)
Time (ET): 9:40 p.m.
Odds to win region: Montana State (+15000), Kansas State (+900)
Odds to win tournament: Montana State (+100000), Kansas State (+4000)
When betting on March Madness, there are going to be times that you need to look for the big upset. If that is the kind of wager that you like to make, then you might find some interest in this matchup. Montana State is being overlooked and isn’t respected for its 11-5-1 record on the road against the spread.
Betting stat to know: Kansas State has won just three of its past five while Montana State is 5-0 across its past five games.
Best Bet: Montana State moneyline (+320)
(13) Kent State vs (4) Indiana (-4.5, 140.5 o/u)
Time (ET): 9:55 p.m.
Odds to win region: Kent State (+10000), Indiana (+1200)
Odds to win tournament: Kent State (+50000), Indiana (+4000)
This is looking like a trap game for a lot of people. They are wanting to believe that Kent State will pull off the upset, but the possibility of this happening seems overblown. However, regardless of your feelings about this, the place to actually make some money on this game is on the total. You want to take the over on this one without a doubt. Indiana is 4-1 on the over in the last five games and Kent State is 4-1 on the over in its last five games. Thus, the over is definitely the play this time.
Betting stat to know: Both teams have had the over hit in four of their last five games.
Best Bet: Over 140.5 (-110)
(11) Arizona State vs (6) TCU (-6, 141 o/u)
Time (ET): 10:05 p.m.
Odds to win region: Arizona State – odds off the board, TCU – odds off the board
Odds to win tournament: Arizona State (+25000), TCU (+3300)
TCU comes into the tournament facing off against an Arizona State team that was forced to go through the First Four to play in the Round of 64. Arizona State made light work of Nevada in the First Four as it built a 20-plus point lead by halftime. However, TCU is a much stronger opponent than Arizona State. Arizona State is in for a shock after its big first win.
Betting Stat to know: Arizona State is 308th in the country in effective field goal percentage, near the bottom of all eligible schools.
Best Bet: TCU -6 (-110)
