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Welcome to your March Madness hub for the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament. Our college basketball experts will guide you through the March Madness bracket with March Madness expert picks, matchup breakdowns, and betting analysis for every game, from the First Four to the national championship.

Bookmark this page now and come back for our latest college basketball picks.

March Madness picks for 3/19 and 3/20

March Madness best bets and SGPs

Thursday, March 19

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9 TCU vs 8 Ohio State

East Region, 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

Brock Harding averages 5.7 assists and leads the TCU fast break, with those possessions fueled by creating turnovers. The Frogs rank 29th in FBPTS and will try to suck OSU into a quicker tempo.

Texas Christian’s offense thrives on ball movement, with one of the highest assist-to-FGM rates in the country (63rd), and Harding dished out 5+ dimes in 14 of the final 19 regular-season games.

He finished with just three assists in each of his two Big 12 tournament outings, due to foul trouble and some poor shooting. However, his Round 1 projections flirt with six dimes.

Read Jason Logan's full TCU vs. Ohio State predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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13 Troy vs 4 Nebraska

South Region, 12:40 p.m. ET, truTV

Best bet

Long misses lead to long rebounds, and long rebounds lead to points in transition.

Expect plenty of each piece of that thought as the Troy Trojans hoist a bounty of 3-pointers early on Thursday: Troy takes 3-pointers at an inordinately high rate despite making less than a third of them, while the Nebraska Cornhuskers rank Top 10 in the country in both forcing 3-point attempts and in opponents missing those 3-pointers.

Nebraska is not exactly a fast-paced team, but those long misses should lead to enough easy buckets to propel this first-round matchup Over its modest total.

Read Douglas Farmer's full Troy vs Nebraska predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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11 South Florida vs 6 Louisville

East Region, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Best bet

The 6-foot-7 senior is a tough matchup for USF’s backcourt, which tops out at 6-foot-5. J'vonne Hadley can bully smaller defenders and blow by bigger ones if the Bulls switch out a forward on him. 

He’s able to score in various ways, either finishing the fastbreak, getting to the rim, or knocking down looks from beyond the arc. Hadley can also scoop up misses for putbacks on the offensive glass.

He’s averaged 15 points over the past 11 games, and while his usage spikes with Mikel Brown Jr. out, he's still scored plenty of points when the freshman stud is in the lineup.

Read Jason Logan's full South Florida vs. Louisville predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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12 High Point vs 5 Wisconsin

West Region, 1:50 p.m. ET, TBS

Best bet

The High Point Panthers are at their best when they can force turnovers and get to the line. However, the Wisconsin Badgers turn the ball over at the third-lowest rate in the country and do a great job at defending without fouling. 

The bigger reason to fade the Panthers: they rank just 346th in strength of schedule per ESPN — the weakest of any tournament team that isn't a No. 16 seed.

Meanwhile, the Badgers have shown they can compete with elite competition, boasting five wins this season against teams currently in KenPom's Top 10.

Read Rohit Ponnaiya's full High Point vs. Wisconsin predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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16 Siena vs 1 Duke

East Region, 2:50 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

When it comes to monster favorites in the Big Dance, those powerful programs live up to the hype. Since 1998, March Madness favorites of -28 or higher are 13-9 ATS.

Duke’s plan for Round 1 is to build a lead, sit the starters, and rest for the Round of 32. That doesn’t mean the Blue Devils can’t also cover this spread.

Going back to the non-conference slate, the Dukies laid spreads of 30+ and creamed those mid-major foes behind a bench scoring more than 36 points per game. 

Projections bounce around 29 points, but I’ll give the Blue Devils the benefit of the doubt.

Read Jason Logan's full Siena vs. Duke predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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12 McNeese vs 5 Vanderbilt

South Region, 3:15 p.m. ET, truTV

Best bet

The McNeese State Cowboys had both the best offensive efficiency and the best defensive efficiency in the Southland Conference. They may not have won the regular-season conference title, but they deserved this automatic bid.

But that should all come crumbling down against the Vanderbilt Commodores. McNeese thrives in slowing down a game and turning rebounds and free throws into points. That is more a reflection of Southland deficiencies than McNeese strengths, and the Commodores lack those deficiencies.

Instead, Vanderbilt’s quintet of length should snag rebounds and force an abundance of missed 3-pointers.

Read Douglas Farmer's full McNeese vs. Vanderbilt predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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14 North Dakota State vs 3 Michigan State

East Region, 4:05 p.m. ET, TNT

Best bet

It’s safe to say North Dakota State hasn’t faced anyone as athletic as Coen Carr this year. The explosively talented guard is a threat in transition and can get to the basket in the half-court, exploiting NDSU’s weakness against isolation sets.

North Dakota State lacks the size inside that Michigan State’s Big Ten opponents usually bring, topping out at 6-foot-9 in the starting lineup. That gives Carr a clear path to attack the rim.

He’s scored 12 or more points in eight of his last 14 games, with projections sitting between 13 and 14 points for Thursday night.

Read Jason Logan's full North Dakota State vs. Michigan State predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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13 Hawai'i vs 4 Arkansas

West Region, 4:25 p.m. ET, TBS

Best bet

The Arkansas Razorbacks average a whopping 89.9 points per game thanks to a highly efficient offense and blistering pace.

With superstar freshman Darius Acuff Jr. running the point, Arkansas turns the ball over at the lowest rate in the country while ranking eighth in 3PT% (38.9%).

Although the Hawai‘i Razborbacks powered their way to the Big West title behind strong defensive play, Arkansas won’t be fazed.

The Rainbow Warriors lack the athleticism to keep up, and the Razborbacks' uptempo style will lead to plenty of possessions in this matchup.

Read Rohit Ponnaiya's full Hawai'i vs. Arkansas predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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11 VCU vs 6 North Carolina

South Region, 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT

Best bet

The VCU Rams have been walking a tightrope for the past two months. How much margin for error could they really have had, finishing the season 16-1 with a conference tournament championship and still landing an 11-seed?

Remember, the last four teams into the NCAA Tournament as at-larges land on the 11 line.

Living life on that edge can end badly, and in time it will, but it should provide some intensity against the North Carolina Tar Heels, particularly as they are without their best player and have lost their last two games.

Read Douglas Farmer's full VCU vs. North Carolina predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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16 Howard vs 1 Michigan

Midwest Region, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

I fear for the Howard Bison in this matchup.

Howard’s opponents draw an average free-throw rate of 38.5%, which is one of the highest in the field.

The Michigan Wolverines have yet to play a team with a number that high, and you have to legitimately worry about the twin-tower combo of Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara fouling out the entire Bison frontcourt. 

In addition, Howard's rim defense ranked at the Bottom 37% of the sport in games against Top 100 opponents this season.

These are massive red flags. I’d play this to 92.5.

Read Chris Hatfield's full Howard vs. Michigan predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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11 Texas vs BYU

West Region, 7:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

AJ Dybantsa leads the country with 25.3 points per game. The BYU Cougars phenom reached another level after Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending injury, clearing 27.5 points in seven games since February.

Dybantsa finished just below this number with 26 points in his last contest, but that came against Houston's elite defense. He'll have an easier team scoring against the Texas Longhorns, who sit outside the top 300 in opponent FT rate and opponent 3PT% (36%). 

Averaging a whopping 8.4 FTA per game, Dybantsa's improved perimeter shooting and ability to draw fouls will lead to a big game.

Read Rohit Ponnaiya's full Texas vs. BYU predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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10 Texas A&M vs 7 Saint Mary's

South Region, 7:35 p.m. ET, truTV

Best bet

With Bucky McMillan and his “Bucky Ball system” in his first year in College Station, the Texas A&M Aggies play fast. They enjoyed the 29th-quickest tempo in the country this year, per KenPom, while the Saint Mary’s Gaels moseyed at the No. 298 tempo.

Broadly speaking, it is easier to speed up a slow team than it is to slow down a fast team. With depth and ball pressure, Texas A&M should speed up this first-round matchup.

And with both teams showing quality from beyond the arc, any amount of hot shooting could turn the pace into a barnburner.

Read Douglas Farmer's full Texas A&M vs. Saint Mary's predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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9 Saint Louis vs 8 Georgia

Midwest Region, 9:45 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

Big totals in March can feel scary, but context matters: over the last five tournaments, totals of 165+ have still gone 8-6 to the Over. Not a huge edge, but enough to trust a strong read. I’m betting accordingly.

This matchup screams pace. Both teams rank in the Top 50 in tempo and thrive in transition offensively, while struggling to defend it. That’s the perfect recipe for a track meet. Expect constant push, quick shots, and minimal resistance in the open floor. That’s exactly the environment you want when backing an Over this high.

Read Chris Hatfield's full Saint Louis vs. Georgia predictions for Thursday, March 19.

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10 Santa Clara vs 7 Kentucky

Midwest Region, 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

Kentucky’s transition offense is elite, scoring an absurd 1.44 points per play (99th percentile). That’s where Oweh thrives as he’s responsible for a team-leading 7% of Kentucky’s transition scoring.

Santa Clara, meanwhile, allows 1.28 points per play in transition (one of the worst nationally). That’s a problem against Kentucky as a whole, but it’s a big issue against one of the best transition scorers in the SEC.

Why is Oweh shooting over 45% from the field? Because he gets so many easy looks. We’ll see that here. 

Read Chris Hatfield's full Santa Clara vs. Kentucky predictions for Friday, March 20.

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12 Akron vs 5 Texas Tech

Midwest Region, 12:40 p.m. ET, truTV

Best bet

Texas Tech's drive-and-kick offense has scored at the best rate in the country this season. Literally the best. This is a problem for Akron because the Zips have struggled to stay in front of high-level guards.

Now, try to find somewhere for Akron to go on offense. Transition where they are overly reliant? Texas Tech clamps down on that at the 99th percentile.

Other key tenets of the Zips offense, like attack and kick actions, are also shut down at the 90th percentile. I don’t know how Akron hangs because I don’t know how it intends to score.

Read Chris Hatfield's full Akron vs. Texas Tech predictions for Friday, March 20.

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14 Wright State vs 3 Virginia

Midwest Region, 1:50 p.m. ET, TBS

Best bet

The Wright State Raiders offense is so rim-driven, and you’re looking at a team in the Virginia Cavaliers that's one of the elite in the country at defending the rim this season. 

Just ask Duke’s Cam Boozer, who went 3-for-17 against them in the ACC Championship game.

Wright State’s two highest-volume halfcourt actions involve the paint. The Raiders rank in the 90th percentile of frequency rate in post-ups and the 80th percentile in big cut/rolls. Virginia's defense has killed these actions all season, ranking in the 97th percentile against both actions. 

Read Chris Hatfield's full Wright State vs. Virginia predictions for Friday, March 20.

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12 Northern Iowa vs 5 St. John's

East Region, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

St. John's forward Zuby Ejiofor averaged more than seven rebounds amongst the trees of the Big East. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound senior will be battling MVC saplings in the Round of 64.

Northern Iowa has a couple of starters who run 6-foot-8 but are nowhere near Ejofor’s strength and athleticism.
 
For the most part, the Panthers don’t bother crashing the offensive glass and face their toughest challenge against this St. John’s defense. Ejiofor is also active on the offensive boards (3.3 per game).

Ejiofor was a beast on the glass in the Big East tournament, and projections call for 8+ rebounds versus UNI.

Read Jason Logan's full Northern Iowa vs. St. John's predictions for Friday, March 20.

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10 UCF vs 7 UCLA

East Region, 7:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Best bet

The Bruins’ late-season surge has a lot to do with Donovan Dent. 

He dished out a dozen assists in his first two Big Ten tournament games before getting hurt and averaged almost 10 assists in the 12 games prior to that minor injury.

Dent is fine for the opener against Central Florida. The Golden Knights are one of the weakest defenses the Bruins have faced in a while, with UCF giving up 14 assists an outing and taking on a UCLA offense that ranks in the Top 40 in assist ratio.

Projections sit as high as 10.3 assists from Dent on Friday.

Read Jason Logan's full UCF vs. UCLA predictions for Friday, March 20.

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March Madness betting 101

Single elimination changes everything. One cold shooting night or foul trouble can end a season, so aim for good prices and smart risk, not “can’t-miss” takes.

Start with the basics

Spread: In point spread betting, you’re wagering on how close the game stays. In the tournament, late-game fouling can turn a tight cover into a bad beat (or vice versa).

Moneyline:Moneyline betting is often the cleanest way to play a true March Madness upset, but you risk losing more frequently if you wager just on underdogs.

Total: Pace and shot quality matter in Over/Under betting, but so do tournament quirks like neutral rims, tight legs, and whistle changes.

Neutral-site mindset

Games aren’t played in familiar gyms, and crowds can be split. Travel, time zones, and quick turnarounds can matter, especially for teams that rely heavily on energy, depth, or shooting rhythm. When in doubt, lean on repeatable traits: defense, rebounding, and turnover control.

Why single elimination matters

Underdogs can be live because favorites feel pressure and have less room to “play through” a bad stretch. But favorites can also separate late when depth and free throws matter. Think in game scripts:

• Take the underdog + points if they can control tempo, defend without fouling, and protect the ball.
• Sprinkle a unit on the moneyline if they have a clear matchup advantage (e.g., elite 3-point volume vs weak perimeter D).
• Bet on the favorite if they can force turnovers, dominate the glass, or punish inside.

First half vs full game betting

Early nerves and unfamiliar sightlines can create slow starts. If you expect a tactical feel-out period, 1H Unders or 1H underdog spreads can be sharper than full game.

Overtime and endgame chaos

OT is usually included in spreads/totals, and late fouling can add 10–20 “free” points. Totals can swing wildly in the final minute, but don’t panic if you’re on the right side of pace and shot quality.

Still need help? Our Covers hoops analysts are here to provide you with March Madness expert picks from the First Four to the National Championship Game.

Popular March Madness betting markets

March Madness is a betting buffet – the key is picking the right market for your edge.

Futures: Futures are best when you’re early or disagree with the bracket. Conference tourney week and Selection Sunday can create mispriced numbers on title, Final Four odds, March Madness MVP odds, and region winner odds. Shop prices, and remember: a “good team” isn’t always a good futures bet if the path is brutal.

Game lines: The spread, moneyline, and total are the bread and butter once the bracket starts. Neutral courts, quick turnarounds, and unfamiliar sightlines can impact shooting (and totals) especially early. If you have a strong pace or matchup read, consider team totals or 1st half bets to isolate the edge.

Props:March Madness props shine when roles are stable and matchups are clear: usage, minutes, foul risk, and opponent style (rim protection, pace, rebounding). Ladders and alt lines can be powerful, but keep stakes smaller.

Same-game parlays: SGPs can be fun, but value varies. Compare the parlay payout to betting legs individually, and prioritize lines you’d play on their own.

And be sure to check out our expert NCAA bracket picks before the action begins!

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.