March Madness 3/19/2021 NCAA College Basketball Predictions, Picks, Odds, & Analysis
Friday March 19th, 2021
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
12:15 PM EST
Televised on CBS.
737 Virginia Tech
738 Florida PK / 135
Prediction: The Gators have lost 3 of its last 4 games while its offense is struggling. Florida is 0-5 when its offense scores 66 points or fewer. Virginia Tech is a perfect 12-0 when it holds opponents to 67 or fewer points and has allowed 65.3 points per game over its last three. Virginia Tech hasn’t been in the spotlight because of Covid issues however they were ranked most of the season for a reason. Its most recent game against UNC was a great example of how good this team can be. Take Virginia Tech to win this one.
The Bookie: V. Tech PK / Over 135
Fade The Public: V. Tech / Under
Sharp Action: V. Tech / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
12:45 PM EST
Televised on TRU TV.
735 Colgate
736 Arkansas -8½ / 161
Prediction: Colgate has a decent offense that is averaging 85 points per game but that is against weak defensive opponents. The most important thing about these stats is that this team only played against a total of 5 different teams all season. They played the same teams over and over again. Colgate will be in for a rude awakening when they play this fast-paced high-scoring Arkansas offense. Look for Arkansas to shut this Colgate team down and win this game by double-digits.
The Bookie: Arkansas -8.5 / Under 161
Fade The Public: Colgate / Under
Sharp Action: Colgate / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
1:15 PM EST
Televised on TBS.
741 Drexel
742 Illinois -22½ / 143½
Prediction: Illinois is coming off a BIG 10 Conference win and they are eyeing the National Championship. Illinois always shows up for the big games however underperform against mediocre teams. The Drexel Dragons are going to be playing as if it’s the last game of the season because it will be. Illinois will be looking to rest players if they get a big lead and Drexel won’t be coming off the court until the buzzer sounds. Drexel averages 71 points per game and Illinois is allowing 69 points per game. Illinois will get the win but take Drexel to cover the spread in this one.
The Bookie: Drexel +22.5 / Under 143.5
Fade The Public: Drexel / Under
Sharp Action: Illinois / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Assembly Hall – Bloomington, IN
1:45 PM EST
Televised on TNT.
733 Utah State
734 Texas Tech -4 / 131
Prediction: Utah State is a talented team that when playing well can beat just about anyone. Texas Tech lost its last 2 games coming into this matchup in which they opened at -5 but the line has dropped to -4 even though the public is on the Red Raiders. The Aggies have a good chance to win this game if their big man Queta can stay out of foul trouble. Texas Tech will depend on McClung who can win or lose a game for a team. McClung has struggled lately scoring single-digits in 3 of his last 4 starts. Utah State has held opposing teams to 38% shooting from the field this year, the 9th lowest in all Division I. Over their last five games, the Aggies have held opposing shooters to 34%. Take Utah State to keep this game close and cover the spread.
The Bookie: Utah St +4 / Under
Fade The Public: Utah St / Over
Sharp Action: Utah St. / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, IN
3:00 PM EST
Televised on CBS.
739 Oral Roberts
740 Ohio State -16½ / 156½ -110
Prediction: Oral Roberts relies on the three-point shot averaging 11 per game however Ohio State is a much better defensive team than they are used to playing. This is the type of game that if Oral Roberts doesn’t shoot the 3 point shot well they will be blown out. However, if they can knock down three’s like no tomorrow then they could pull off an upset. Look for Oral Roberts to cover the spread and possibly pull off an upset in this one.
The Bookie: Oral Roberts +16.5 / Under 156.5
Fade The Public: Oral Roberts / Under
Sharp Action: Oral Roberts / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
3:30 PM EST
Televised on TRU TV.
725 Hartford
726 Baylor -25½ / 140
Prediction: Baylor has hammered non-conference competition this season, covering the spread in six of their eight games against non-Big 12 opponents. The Bears didn’t have much motivation to win the Big 12 tournament but the loss to Oklahoma State woke them up and will bring out the best in them for this game. Baylor is by far the better team and they blowout teams, not just beat them. Take Baylor to cover the spread.
The Bookie: Baylor -25.5 / Under 140
Fade The Public: Baylor / Over
Sharp Action: Hartford / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
4:00 PM EST
Televised on TBS.
743 Georgia Tech
744 Loyola Chicago -5½ / 124½
Prediction: Georgia Tech will be without its big man and ACC POY Moses Wright who tested positive for covid a few days ago. This is a huge loss for this team who already had a tough challenge with Loyola. This line has gone from Loyola -2.5 to -5.5 which means it’s either too late to get in on Loyola or you would have to take Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech won’t go down easy without a fight and you can expect them to still keep this game close. Take Georgia Tech or nothing in this spot.
The Bookie: G. Tech / Under 124.5
Fade The Public: Loyola / Under
Sharp Action: Loyola / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
4:30 PM EST
Televised on TNT.
745 Oregon State
746 Tennessee -8½ / 131
Prediction: Oregon State just upset most of the PAC 12 in the conference tournament. This team has momentum on its side and Tennessee is expected to be without big man Fulkerson. The public is all over Oregon State however the Sharps are pounding Tennessee driving up the line. When you see everyone picking the same team to pull off the big upset, they are probably on the wrong dog. Everyone seems to be picking Oregon State to win this game outright so the best thing you can do is fade away.
The Bookie: Tennessee -8.5 / Over 131
Fade The Public: Tennessee / Over
Sharp Action: Tennessee / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
6:25 PM EST
Televised on TBS.
747 Liberty
748 Oklahoma State -7½ / 139½
Prediction: This line opened at Oklahoma St -9.5 but quickly corrected to its current -7.5. The reason is that Liberty averages 75 points per game and Oklahoma State allows over 72 points per game. The Cowboys will be looking ahead to the round of 32 while Liberty will be looking to upset. Only 45% of the tickets are on Liberty but they are getting 75% of the money. Liberty does not turn the ball over much at only 11 per game and they shoot good free throws over 80%. The Liberty offense should be enough to cover the spread in this game and prevent a blowout.
The Bookie: Liberty +7.5 / Over 139.5
Fade The Public: Liberty / Under
Sharp Action: Liberty / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, IN
7:10 PM EST
Televised on CBS.
727 Wisconsin
728 North Carolina -1½ /137½
Prediction: Wisconsin started the season as if they were going for a National Title but they finished the year about as bad as you can imagine not even ranked. The Badgers lost 7 of its last 10 games while its offense went stagnant. North Carolina is trending in the opposite direction having won 3 of its last 4 games. Wisconsin does have a chance to win this game and that is only if they have a tremendous three-point shooting performance. If the Badgers don’t shoot lights out they will get dominated by the Tar Heels. UNC will outrebound and dominate the glass for second-chance points with ease. Take the Tar Heels to win this game.
The Bookie: UNC -1.5 / Over 137.5
Fade The Public: UNC / Over
Sharp Action: UNC / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Assembly Hall – Bloomington, IN
7:15 PM EST
Televised on TRU TV.
755 Cleveland State
756 Houston -20 / 134½
Prediction: Houston finished the season on a 7 game winning streak and they were in blowout fashion. Cleveland State is worse than most of the teams the Cougars played against in the AAC. Cleveland State’s offense will have a hard time scoring against the Houston defense and the way the Cougars have been scoring it will be hard to prevent a blowout. Take Houston to cover the spread in this game in another possible 30-40 point blowout.
The Bookie: Houston -20 / Over 134.5
Fade The Public: Houston / Over
Sharp Action: Houston / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
7:25 PM EST
Televised on TNT.
731 North Texas
732 Purdue -7½ / 126
Prediction: This will be a game that North Texas will try to control the pace of the game. However, Purdue has been playing dominant basketball and that is because the offense has been getting the job done. Purdue’s big men will dominate the boards and clean up on the offensive glass. Purdue has been underrated all season because they had a poor start however they have been one of the best teams in the Big 10 winning 6 of its last 7. The Horned Frogs could keep this game close if they can slow the game down enough to take Purdue out of its rhythm but not likely the way the Boilermakers offense has been playing lately. Take the Boilermakers to cover the spread in this game.
The Bookie: Purdue -7.5 / Over 126
Fade The Public: N. Texas / Under
Sharp Action: N. Texas / Under
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
9:20 PM EST
Televised on TBS.
753 Rutgers -1½ / 125½
754 Clemson
Prediction: Clemson has had a decent year in the ACC however that was a weak ACC. Clemson has no offense and they won most of their games on defense alone. That is not going to work against any BIG 10 team especially Rutgers. The public is all over Clemson however Rutgers is the much better team here that is loaded with talent. Look for Rutgers offense to show up to play for a big win to move on to the round of 32. This is one of the top plays of the day. Keep an eye on the line until the tip.
The Bookie: Rutgers -1.5 / Over 125.5
Fade The Public: Rutgers / Over
Sharp Action: Rutgers / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
9:40 PM EST
Televised on CBS.
749 Syracuse
750 San Diego State -3 / 139
Prediction: Syracuse was playing good basketball until losing on a last-second three-pointer to Virginia in the ACC conference tournament. The Orange were lucky enough to make it into the tournament and that is because this team has enough talent to beat a few teams such as San Diego State. Syracuse’s zone will disrupt the Aztecs and the way Cuse has been shooting the ball it will be tough to stop them from scoring inside and out on the perimeter. Take the Syracuse Orange to cover the spread and win this game straight up.
The Bookie: Syracuse +3 / Over 139
Fade The Public: S.D. St. / Over
Sharp Action: S.D. St. / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – Midwest Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
9:50 PM EST
Televised on TRU TV.
751 Morehead State
752 West Virginia -13 / 137
Prediction: Morehead State simply doesn’t have the talent to compete with WVU. West Virginia plays top-notch defense and the offense has been averaging 77 points per game. Morehead State hasn’t shown the ability to hang with some of the more talented teams in the country, and it is matched up against an extremely athletic Mountaineers squad in the first round. Bob Huggins is no stranger to the tourney and this is a game that won’t be overlooked. Take the Mountaineers to cover the spread in a high-scoring game that goes Over.
The Bookie: WVU -13 / Over 137
Fade The Public: Morehead St / Under
Sharp Action: Morehead St / Over
NCAA TOURNAMENT – First Round – South Region
@ Indiana Farmers Coliseum – Indianapolis, IN
9:57 PM EST
Televised on TNT.
729 Winthrop
730 Villanova -6½ / 143
Prediction: Winthrop has been dominant all season but against much lesser competition. This is the first step-up in class and the Wildcats are better equipped to handle Vaudrin and Burns better than anything he saw in the Big South this year. Everyone is counting the Wildcats out of this tournament but they have had a few good games without Gilespie. Take the Villanova Wildcats to win this game and cover the spread.
The Bookie: Villanova -6.5 / Over 143
Fade The Public: Winthrop / Over
Sharp Action: Winthrop / Over