First Round Preview 3-19-21

(10) Virginia Tech v. (7) Florida

Virginia Tech shocked a lot of people with the season they had this year. They were consistently ranked in the top-25 and if it weren’t for a poor ACC Tournament performance, they could have been a single digit seed. Florida was an up-and-down team all season and that is reflected in their 5-5 record in their last 10 games. There is a gap in quality between Tech’s players and Florida’s though, as well as an experience factor at the coaching level that Virginia Tech does not have. In a game Vegas views as a toss up, I say take the Gators and chomp on.

The Bet: Florida Moneyline

(14) Colgate v. (3) Arkansas

Colgate is perhaps the most interesting team in the tournament. They have won 13 games in a row and only lost 1 game on the season. The problem is, they only played 4 teams in the regular season. Covid-19 factors made the Patriot League schedule all jumbled and Colgate benefited. Arkansas, led by veteran head coach Eric Musselman, has been a high flying team all season. Their dynamis mix of transfers and recruits work well as they are among the highest scoring teams in the country. This game will likely be an easy win for Arkansas and there will be points galore, but not enough to trust an over/under at 162.

The Bet: Arkansas Spread

(16) Drexel v. (1) Illinois

Ever since UMBC shocked the world and beat Virginia, fans of college basketball have been clamoring for another 16 over 1 upset. It won’t happen here. Drexel was an average Colonial Athletic regular season team who heated up at the right time and snuck into the tournament with the auto-bid. Illinois is coming off a Big Ten championship and might just be playing their best basketball of the season at the right time. The Illini are hoping to be playing in April, they shouldn't have any problems with the Dragons. 

The Bet: Illinois Spread

(11) Utah State v. (6) Texas Tech

Utah State got the very rare at-large bid from a mid-major conference after going 20-8 in the Mountain West regular season. Their loss to San Diego State University in the conference tournament final made them sweat it out on Selection Sunday, and they got rewarded with a matchup against a poorly seeded Texas Tech team. The Red Raiders are better than their 6 seed indicates, and their performance against top-25 opponents this season is the reason why. Chris Beard has experience in the tourney after taking his team to a Final Four just a few seasons ago and has the star players, like Mac McClung, to make a run.

The Bet: Over 131 Total Points, Texas Tech Spread

(15) Oral Roberts v. (2) Ohio State

First, let's tip our cap to Oral Roberts for getting the auto-bid out of the Summit League, it is not often you see a team that lost double digit regular seasons games in that league make the tournament. Of course, for the Golden Eagles, now comes the tough part. Ohio State was a weapon in the Big Ten this year and got all the way to the conference tournament final before losing to Illinois in Overtime. Ohio State has eyes for the second weekend, at least, and will not be tripped up against Oral Roberts.

The Bet: Under 157.5 Total Points, Ohio State Spread

(16) Hartford v. (1) Baylor

Hartford got hot at the right time and won the America East tournament while riding a 5 game win streak. Their prize for their good play, a 22-2 Baylor team that only lost its second game of the season in the Big 12 semifinals. Let's not mince words here, Baylor is a national title contender. Their program history indicates a heartbreaking loss could come early in the tournament, but it won’t happen against Hartford. 

The Bet: Over 140 Total Points

(9) Georgia Tech v. (8) Loyola Chicago

Georgia Tech won the ACC Tournament mostly because their semifinal game against UVA was canceled due to Covid-19 problems within the Cavaliers program. Georgia Tech hadn’t beaten UVA in over 5 years. However, you play the hand you are dealt and head coach Josh Pastner made the most of it. Sadly, the Yellow Jackets received brutal news this week as ACC Regular Season Player of the Year, Moses Wright, was ruled out of the first weekend due to Covid-19. Loyola Chicago is a name that tugs on the heartstrings of America since they went on that miraculous Final Four run a few seasons ago, spearheaded by their senior citizen chaplain, Sister Jean. Loyola is very good this season, make no doubt about it, but whether they should be getting 5 points on the spread against the ACC champions is up for debate.

The Bet: Georgia Tech Spread

(12) Oregon State v. (5) Tennessee

Oregon State was a bid thief this year as they went on a run in the Pac-12 tournament to clinch the auto-bid. The Beavers finished 6th in the regular season standings and were not on anyone's radar to make March Madness. Tennessee had high expectations coming into this season, but largely disappointed and finished 4th in the SEC. Some people buy into momentum when March comes around but let’s be honest, Oregon State is not good and Tennessee was a preseason top-15 team. 

The Bet: Over 131 Total Points

Fancy a Parlay?

Arkansas, Tennessee & Ohio State to Win