NCAA Tournament opening round picks
College Basketball
12:15 PM EST
Rotation #727
Michigan -1 over Colorado State (win)
Michigan/Colorado State Over 137 (win)
The Mountain West is nothing compared to the Big 10. Colorado State has allowed over 50% shooting from in close. Michigan might have a crazy coach in Juwan Howard, but they have superior athletes that will bully their way for points inside. I also like the Over in this game because Colorado State does have the offense to shock teams. The Wolverines have big wins over good programs and should find a way to win this game. Take Michigan and the Over.
College Basketball
1:45 PM EST
Rotation #745
Memphis -3 over Boise State (win)
Boise State was a bubble team that needed to win their conference tournament to ensure they got into the big dance. This team is good at turning teams over. Memphis turns it over a lot. I don’t think Boise has shown enough out of conference to win big games like this. Memphis was red hot to end the season and has athletic talent that will play at the next level. Take Memphis.
College Basketball
3:10 PM EST
Rotation #740
Iowa -10.5 over Richmond (loss)
Richmond gets a lot of hype as a sleeper team. Iowa doesn’t play great defense, so I see this as a high-scoring game. I don’t know if it can get to the posted total of 151, but it should be an excellent offensive game. Iowa has played better competition all season long while Richmond finished the year ice cold. I believe the Hawkeyes will pull away in a double-digit blowout win. Take Iowa.
College Basketball
9:20 PM EST
Rotation #721
Vermont +5 over Arkansas (win)
The tip-off will be late evening when anything can happen in March. Arkansas has tremendous talent, but they can be sloppy, and they have head-scratching losses like the out-of-conference loss to Hofstra. Vermont is a red-hot team that has not lost in over a month. This team can shoot the three-ball and are great on defense. I think the catamounts are capable of creating a March upset. Take Vermont.