March Madness 3/20/2021 NCAA College Basketball Predictions, Picks, Odds, & Analysis
Sat, 20 Mar 2021
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
12:15 PM EST Televised on CBS.
783 Georgetown
784 Colorado -6½ / 138
Prediction: The public is jumping all over Georgetown in this game after the Big East conference tournament performance. Colorado is talented and they will control the pace of the game which is why this total is sitting at 138. Georgetown wins when they can get out, run, and score 80 points which Colorado just isn’t going to allow. Colorado holds opponents to only 63 points per game while Georgetown allows 70 points per game. Look for Colorado to control the tempo and cover the spread late in the second half in a game that will go Under the total.
The Bookie: Colorado -6.5 / Under 138
Fade The Public: Colorado / Over
Sharp Action: Colorado / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
12:45 PM EST Televised on TRU TV.
785 UNC Greensboro
786 Florida State -10½ / 145
Prediction: Florida State had a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC championship game and that alone will be enough to fuel a blowout. Florida State has the length, size, and talent to make it to the Final 4. UNC Greensboro is going to have a hard time matching up with the Seminoles. Take Florida State to cover the spread in a blowout game that goes Over the total.
The Bookie: Florida St. -10.5 / Over 145
Fade The Public: Florida St. / Under
Sharp Action: Florida St. / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
1:15 PM EST Televised on TBS.
773 Eastern Washington
774 Kansas -10½ / 147
Prediction: Kansas is going to have a tough game without McCormack, Enaruna, and Wilson. This Eastern Washington team doesn’t play a lot of defense but they can score. The Eagles average 77 points per game on 46% field goal shooting. Kansas will try to keep the Eagles from getting out and running. Controlling the tempo will be key for Kansas to pull out the win. Take the Eagles to cover the spread in a game that goes Under the total.
The Bookie: E. Wash +10.5 / Under 147
Fade The Public: E. Wash / Under
Sharp Action: E. Wash / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Assembly Hall – Bloomington, IN
1:45 PM EST Televised on TNT.
781 St. Bonaventure
782 LSU -1½ / 144
Prediction: The Bonnies are one of the best defensive teams in the country, while LSU is one of the best offensive teams in the nation. The Bonnies play a slow-down style, ranking 329 in the pace of play, while LSU likes to push the pace. LSU will pressure the ball but the Bonnies don’t turn it over much. The Bonnies just handled VCU last week without a problem. The Bonnies are the more disciplined team that will control the pace of the game to cover the spread and keep the total Under the number.
The Bookie: St. Bonnies +1.5 / Under 144
Fade The Public: St. Bonnies / Over
Sharp Action: St Bonnies / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
3:00 PM EST
779 Texas Southern
780 Michigan -26 / 142½
Prediction: The Tigers are led by upperclassmen that will lay everything on the line against Michigan. The Wolverines will be the best team Texas Southern has faced this season, but they did cover the spread against Washington State, Saint Mary’s, and BYU. The Wolverines are going to struggle on the offensive end without Livers for at least a few games. Take Texas Southern to cover the spread.
The Bookie: Texas Southern +26 / Under 142.5
Fade The Public: Michigan / Under
Sharp Action: Michigan / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
3:30 PM EST Televised on TRU TV.
767 Cal Santa Barbara
768 Creighton -7½ / 137½
Prediction: Creighton can dominate teams when they are shooting well from three. UCSB plays good defense and they defend the three well holding teams to only 5.8 threes per game on 33% shooting. This Creighton team has not been playing its best basketball lately with a mostly inconsistent offense and they are meeting a UCSB team that is playing its best basketball. Look for UCSB to keep things close and cover the spread in this game.
The Bookie: UCSB +7.5 / Under 137.5
Fade The Public: UCSB / Over
Sharp Action: UCSB / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
4:00 PM EST Televised on TBS.
793 Iona
794 Alabama -17 / 147
Prediction: Alabama meets Rick Pitino as he returns to March Madness. Alabama can score especially from three but they struggle on the defensive end and with rebounding. Rick Pitino is a smart coach that will find a way to slow down Alabama and take them out of their rhythm. Take Iona to cover the spread in a game that will go Under the total.
The Bookie: Iona +17 / Under 147
Fade The Public: Iona / Under
Sharp Action: Iona / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
4:30 PM EST
771 Drake
772 USC -6 / 135½
Prediction: Drake escaped a game that was almost a loss in the first 4 play-in games. The Bulldogs just don’t have the size to match-up with Mobley and USC’s frontcourt. The Trojans play a 2-3 zone that doesn’t allow anybody to score in the paint, which is going to be a problem for Drake. The key for Drake is how many minutes they can get from Hemphill. He played only 10 minutes in the first 4 and if isn’t able to give them significant minutes, Drake’s season is going to be over. Take USC to cover the spread and keep Drake’s offense at a minimum in a game that goes Under the total.
The Bookie: USC -6 / Under 135.5
Fade The Public: USC / Under
Sharp Action: USC / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
6:25 PM EST Televised on TBS.
777 Grand Canyon
778 Iowa -14½ / 145
Prediction: GCU has a lot of size that can match up well with Iowa’s Garza and they play tough defense. Iowa has been getting banged up and it is showing in the last few games of the season. GCU will have to score to have any chance to stay in this game and they have been scoring lately. GCU is playing its best basketball right now and should be able to stay in this game. Take GCU to cover the spread in a game that goes Under the total.
The Bookie: GCU +14.5 / Under 145
Fade The Public: GCU / Under
Sharp Action: GCU / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, IN
7:10 PM EST Televised on CBS.
791 Maryland
792 Connecticut -3 / 129½
Prediction: Maryland is a team that plays great defense but very inconsistent on offense. Uconn is a great defensive team as well except Bouknight is a player that can go off for 30 points on any given day. Bouknight’s last time out was a disappointment so he will show up to play in this one. Even though both of these teams play tough defense this is an environment in which both teams will play more uptempo which will cause the game to go Over. Take Uconn to cover the spread with Bouknight taking over in the second half.
The Bookie: Uconn -3 / Over 129.5
Fade The Public: Maryland / Over
Sharp Action: Uconn / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Assembly Hall – Bloomington, IN
7:15 PM EST Televised on TRU TV.
769 Ohio
770 Virginia -7 / 130½
Prediction: Virginia is in a bad spot here, not having played in a while and not being able to arrive at the bubble until the day before its game. Ohio averages 80 points per game and Virginia struggles against any team that can score. Virginia is going to try to control the tempo but against this face-paced Ohio team, they are going to have a hard time. Take Ohio to cover the spread and possibly win outright.
The Bookie: Ohio +7 / Over 130.5
Fade The Public: Ohio / Under
Sharp Action: Ohio / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
7:25 PM EST Televised on TNT.
765 Missouri
766 Oklahoma -1 / 139½
Prediction: Oklahoma’s Harmon won’t be playing but the Sooners will still have the edge as they have covered in 3-straight versus Missouri. Oklahoma focuses on defense and Missouri struggles on the offensive end. Oklahoma hasn’t been playing well lately but that’s mainly because they didn’t have much to play for. Look for the Sooners to come out strong and cover the spread.
The Bookie: Oklahoma -1 / Under 139.5
Fade The Public: Oklahoma / Over
Sharp Action: Missouri / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
9:20 PM EST
763 Norfolk State
764 Gonzaga -33½ / 154
Prediction: Gonzaga has not let up on the gas pedal all season regardless of who the opponent is and that won’t be stopping in this game. Gonzaga is far too talented for Norfolk to be able to hang around for long. Look for Gonzaga to jump out early and build on that lead the entire game. There is also a good chance Gonzaga will cover the 1st half spread as well. Take the Bulldogs to cover the spread in this game that goes Under the total.
The Bookie: Gonzaga -33.5 / Under 154
Fade The Public: Norfolk St / Under
Sharp Action: Gonzaga / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
9:40 PM EST Televised on CBS.
787 UCLA
788 BYU -4½ / 138½
Prediction: UCLA is playing its 2nd game after beating Michigan State. At the end of the UCLA game, Juzang rolled his ankle so his status is questionable. If he cannot go BYU should be able to win this one easily. It didn’t look good so even if he does go it would be hard to imagine he is 100%. UCLA is better than BYU but without Juzang the chances are slim. If Juzang is out, take BYU to cover the spread.
The Bookie: BYU -4.5 / Under 138.5
Fade The Public: BYU / Over
Sharp Action: BYU / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – East Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
9:50 PM EST Televised on TRU TV.
789 Abilene Christian
790 Texas -8½ / 140
Prediction: The Wildcats lost to Texas Tech 51-44 when it was beaten on the boards and struggled from the field. They lost to Arkansas by 13 when they were beaten baldly on the boards and couldn’t hit from three. Texas will win big on the boards and will stop the Wildcats from three. Take Texas to cover the spread in this game.
The Bookie: Texas -8.5 / Over 140
Fade The Public: Abilene C. / Under
Sharp Action: Abilene C. / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – West Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
9:57 PM EST Televised on TNT.
775 Va Commonwealth
776 Oregon -5½ / 137½
Prediction: VCU’s best player Hyland is playing banged up right now. Oregon will be one of the best teams that VCU has faced this season. The Ducks have 5 players averaging double figures and are undervalued in this game due to their loss to Oregon State. They have an offense that is extremely good. VCU has great defensive numbers, but it has not faced an offense like this during conference play. Take Oregon to cover the spread in this game.
The Bookie: Oregon -5.5 / Under 137.5
Fade The Public: VCU / Under
Sharp Action: Oregon / Under