The 2019 NCAA basketball event has officially tipped off. The First Four wrapped up Wednesday afternoon, and the sixty-four-group brackets are formally set. Louisville and Minnesota kick off the initial round Thursday at 12:15 p.m. ET, and the tournament wraps up three weeks from now on Monday, April 8, with the countrywide championship game.
There will be many Cinderella stories to keep us entertained, but even when Cinderella comes up briefly, she will win you money in opposition to the unfolding. So, it’s time to start figuring out where we’ll see upsets.
We’ve indexed out the unfold for all 16 first-spherical matchups for Thursday’s games, after which we spoke with our network of group brand managers to figure out why each team would possibly cover the spread. Everybody has their philosophy, but getting insight from people who are especially dialed in can assist in getting you an important side to turn this March into a profitable one.
- East vicinity
- 2) Michigan State vs. 15) Bradley, 2:45 p.M., CBS
- Spread: Michigan State -19.5
Why Michigan State will need cowl: Whether the road is at 18, 19, or 20 factors, Michigan State will certainly cowl their NCAA event opener in opposition to the Bradley Braves; there are actual basketball motives, the most important of which is Bradley isn’t that properly at basketball. The Braves are averaging more or less sixty-five points, which is consistent with the game and similar to what MSU allows on average. Precise protection may be vital to winning a championship for a contender, but a Cinderella desires to score. Michigan State, alternatively, can place up factors on nearly any defense and force other groups to play at their pace. A fifth-location MVC team, irrespective of their conference event success, isn’t going to preserve up. There are issues with Bradley off the court as well. Unlike most upset-minded teams, Bradley doesn’t have the aid of the small-school-loving media. After an embarrassing weekend of banning and unbanning a homeland journalist for “now not assisting the brand,” Bradley’s gamers must cope with a different media blitz this week. Forget 20 factors, get higher odds, and take MSU at 25. — Kyle There, The Only Colors
Why Bradley will cowl: Bradley is 301st in adjusted tempo, consistent with KenPom, and 346th (out of 353 groups) in the adjusted defensive ownership period. In other words, the Braves will probably bring the sport down, meaning Michigan State ought to be particularly efficient on offense to blow it open. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 3) LSU vs. 14) Yale, 12:40 p.M., truTV
- Spread: LSU -8
Why LSU will cowl: The most apparent reason for assuming that LSU covers the -7.5 unfold against Yale is seeding. LSU is a three-seed for a purpose, and Yale, despite being Ivy League champions, continues to be an important midmost college, and the purpose is that LSU has the higher expertise. But that’s too simplistic and, albeit the incorrect manner at looking at Yale, Yale is as good a team as it gets, and the roster is complete of experienced players. Yale loves to push the pace, but that’s a weapon LSU can flip against the Bulldogs. A quicker tempo also lends more probability to create turnovers, and LSU is 8th inside the complete US in steals. Thank you in huge part to guards Tremont Waters and Skylar Mays. Yale ranks 210th nationally in turnovers, so LSU is begging the Bulldogs to play uptempo. The Tigers have an enormous advantage within the frontcourt with Naz Reid, Kavell Bigby-Williams, and Emmitt Williams. LSU is the second one-satisfactory offensive rebounding group in the United States for a purpose, and it’s largely owed to that trio’s length. Between the adequate possibilities for factors off of turnovers and excessive percent appearing within the painted place, LSU ought to get to the second spherical and cowl the procedure unfolding. — Zachary Junda, And the Valley Shook
Why Yale will make the cowl: Internal turmoil has made LSU tough to peg, and that’s part of why Yale is a cutting-edge upset choice. It additionally enables the Bulldogs to have a legitimate NBA prospect in Miye Oni. Yale doesn’t do someone factor spectacularly, but it does everything well. If Oni receives going from three, they will have difficulty stopping. — Russell Steinberg, Mid Major Madness
- 6) Maryland vs. 11) Belmont, 3:10 p.M., truTV
- Spread Maryland -three.Five
Why Maryland will cowl: Maryland limped to the finish in the Big Ten. However, the Terps have large guys who are well worth betting on. Sophomore middle Bruno Fernando earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after averaging a double-double for the season. Only some groups on Maryland’s schedule had been able to incorporate him all year. He’s coming off a season-low 3 points within the conference tournament but has a brilliant 21 double-doubles in 32 video games. Fernando and Jalen Smith are as bold a front line as any inside the United States, and the Terps have enough playmakers in the backcourt to make lifestyles hard for each person. — Thomas Kendziora, Testudo Times
Why Belmont will cowl: Belmont could be coming into Thursday’s sport sparkling off a Tuesday win over Temple, which didn’t see them play at their best. This is especially true for the Bruins’ best player, NBA Draft prospect Dylan Windler, who scored simply five points on a terrible taking pictures nighttime. (A forty-two percent 3-factor shooter, he turned into 1-of-5 from beyond the arc in Dayton.) At-big First Four winners historically do well in their first-spherical games in the important draw, and the Bruins’s offense and short tempo, which can trouble a Maryland team used to playing in a slower Big Ten, ought to allow them to at the least hold this matchup to a one-ownership sport late. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 7) Louisville vs. 10) Minnesota, 12:15 p.M., CBS
- Spread: Louisville -4.5
Why Louisville will cover: Minnesota is one of the worst shooting groups within the event, and, as a result, a number of the time after they lose, they lose awfully. Seven of the Gophers’ 13 losses this season have come through double-digits, and two of the video games that were unmarried-digit defeats came by way of 9 points. Louisville has been an erratic offensive crew at instances this season. However, they’ve been solid in March to this point. The Cardinals’ adjusted offensive performance score of 117.8 for the month is the 23rd-great inside u. S .. — Mike Rutherford, Card Chronicle
Why Minnesota will cowl: Minnesota’s capacity to draw fouls maintains them in most video games. The Golden Gophers got to the foul line on forty-two percent of their area aim tries this season, a top-15 mark within the United States of America. Jordan Murphy is a dependable inside scorer who controls the glass, and Amir Coffey is a large wing who can lower to the rim. As long as Minnesota doesn’t dig into it a little, it can cover Cowl 4.5 factors. — Ricky O’Donnell
- South area
- 3) Purdue vs. 14) Old Dominion, nine:50 p.M., TBS
- Spread: Purdue -12
Why Purdue will cowl: Purdue has one of the most efficient offenses within the state, even when Carsen Edwards hasn’t been. Matt Harms has been playing outstanding basketball down the stretch, while Ryan Cline has been warm from three all season. When the entirety is clicking, Purdue is a hazardous crew with Harms able to play interior and out even as going for walks the high ball display. Edwards has also been better in fair website games than actual road games, as evidenced by the underneath from our author, Juan Crespo.
Why Old Dominion will cover: Old Dominion is every other slow crew (325th in adjusted pace) and sturdy defensively (forty-fifths in adjusted defensive performance). But the Monarchs have also gotten dependent on playing very near video games. Of their 33 games, only 13 were decided with ten or extra points, with merely five of these contests coming because of January. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 6) Villanova vs. 11) St. Mary’s, 7:20 p.M., TBS
- Spread: Villanova -5
Why Villanova will cowl: Villanova has had a distinctly down 12 months this 12 months. However, they’re coming into the match fresh from a Big East event championship, and they’re 0.33 immediately. In St. Mary’s, Villanova faces a group very much like their personal, one who performs at a molasses pace (Villanova and St. Mary’s are 339th and 350th in offensive tempo, respectively), has a distinctly thin rotation (296th and 308th in bench mins), and whose offenses are constructed around the 3 (Villanova is 1/3 in 3P/FGA, St. Mary’s is 33rd in 3P%). What are the important variations? Villanova is playing three 000 miles closer to domestic than St. Mary’s, ‘Nova has better teaching, and the Wildcats are the higher crew by using maximum advanced metrics. Villanova may additionally have a tough matchup against the Gaels. However, Scottie Reynolds can be avenged, and Jay Wright’s quad could win via greater than five come Thursday night time. — Mike Jacobs, VU Hoops
Why St. Mary’s will cowl: By the KenPom and NET ratings, the Saint Mary’s-Villanova recreation is the closest in the complete first-round, nearer than many 7-vs.-10 and eight-vs.-9 games. In many approaches, these teams are mirror images of one another. However, the Gaels shoot a bit higher from outside, and if their threes drop, this one will be tight to the quit. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- Midwest vicinity
- 2) Kentucky vs. 15) Abilene Christian, 7:10 p.M., CBS
- Spread: Kentucky -22
Kentucky will cover: Kentucky is coming off an intestine-wrenching loss to Tennessee in the SEC tournament, which cost the Wildcats a No. 1 seed and saved them from playing in Louisville for the South Region. They’ll be equipped to take out their anger on whoever is up next, which occurs to be Abilene Christian, who hasn’t overwhelmed every one of the results.
According to KenPom, ACU’s fine win is over 186th-ranked Campbell, also ranked 223rd within the NCAA’s NET ratings (ACU is 154th). The best valid for ACU confronted became Texas Tech, who received eighty-two-48 in Lubbock. Jacksonville is a chunk of travel for Kentucky fanatics, but they’ve usually painted Florida blue every time the Cats play in the Sunshine State, so it must be a semi-domestic sport for them.
This is a game Kentucky needs to win by way of 25 factors or greater genuinely, so I feel accurate about the Lexington Cats protecting the spread vs. The Abilene Cats. — Jason Marcum, A Sea of Blue
Why Abilene Christian will cowl: Abilene Christian forces turnovers, especially steals, and shoots three recommendations at an excellent clip. If the Southland champs deploy those two guns effectively, they should preserve this one within 22 points. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 4) Kansas vs. 13) Northeastern, four:00 p.M., TNT
- Spread: Kansas -8.5
Why Kansas will cowl: At first glance, Northeastern looks like a team that would slay effective Kansas. They take over forty-six percent of their photographs from at the back of the arc, and they may be a pinnacle-15 team in phrases of 3-point percentage. However, Northeastern is a sub-250 group in urgent need of several shielding measures, and they don’t have everybody who can match up with KU’s bigs, especially Dedric Lawson. Additionally, the Huskies haven’t seen anyone with Devon Dotson’s quickness on the fringe; it will be a strict order for them to stay defensively in front of KU’s point defense. Kansas should be capable of rating at will, and Bill Self has lots of time to determine how to get his defense to stay in front of Northeastern’s shooters. Also, remember that Northeastern struggled to attain in opposition to their P5 opponents this year (Alabama, Virginia Tech, Syracuse). Although they went 1-2 in the one video game, their maximum point output turned into merely 68, which turned into the win over Alabama, an NIT team. In some circles, it can be a greatly disillusioned selection, but search for the Jayhawks to cowl without difficulty. — Mike Plank, Rock Chalk Talk
Why Northeastern will cover: Northeastern has five players who make their three-point attempts better than a 39-percentage clip. If at least 3 of them get warm, the Huskies will maintain it close. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 5) Auburn vs. 12) New Mexico State, 1:30 p.M., TNT
- Spread: Auburn -7.5
Why Auburn will cover: Auburn is one of the first-rate teams inside the USA in changing turnovers into factors. It labored against Tennessee in the SEC championship, and Auburn will cover because they may have more possessions than the Aggies need. New Mexico State runs a gradual-paced offense. However, it will contend with Auburn’s press on the way to try to force the Aggies to get out in their half-of-courtroom sets.
Oh, and Jared effing Harper. — Jack Condon, College, and Magnolia
Why New Mexico State will cowl: New Mexico State is one of the deeper teams inside us, as head trainer Chris Jans has a rotation that capabilities ten gamers who play at least 10 minutes in keeping with the game. That way, the Aggies will rotate their gamers inside and out enough to handle the Tigers’ tempo and tempo. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 7) Wofford vs. 10) Seton Hall, nine:40 p.M., CBS
- Spread: Wofford -three
Why Wofford will cover: In a game that needs to satisfy enthusiasts who want to see players hit massive pictures, Wofford has masses of fellows who can shoot the 3. Not most effective do the Terriers have Fletcher Magee (41.3 percent from beyond the arc), Storm Murphy (50.6 percent), Nathan Hoover (46.1 percent), Tray Hollowell (44. Eight percent), and Cameron Johnson (38.9 percent) roaming the fringe. That’s quite a few scorpions of power for Seton Hall to deal with. — Chris D is blogging Blogbrackete Bracket.
Why Seton Hall will cover: Myles Powell is one of the most electric-powered scorers in the complete event, having recorded 22 20+ factor video games this season. Between Powell’s items on offense and the current emergence of shield Myles Cale as a secondary scorer and 3-factor threat, the Pirates need to be in precise shape towards a Wofford defense that struggled against excessive-predominant opponents in convention play. — Robert O’Neill, Big East Coast Bias
- West location
- 1) Gonzaga vs. Sixteen) Fairleigh Dickinson, 7:20 p.M., TBS
- Spread: Gonzaga -26.5
Why Gonzaga will cowl: The Gonzaga Bulldogs will, without difficulty, beat the unfold in opposition to the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights for one simple purpose: Gonzaga beat its convention combatants this year by way of a mean of 27 points in keeping with the sport. The Knights are ranked No. 207 through KenPom, which might make them the third-worst crew in the WCC. Gonzaga’s offense is too proper to stop, and Mark Few can be searching out an assertion from his squad after that profound loss to Saint Mary’s inside the WCC match championship sport. — Peter Woodburn, The Slipper Still Fits
Why Fairleigh Dickinson will cover: While Gonzaga has been a No. 1 seed twice, their first-round wins both got here via less than the spread for Thursday’s contest. In 2013, the Bulldogs handiest defeated Southern via six, while in 2017, they took down South Dakota State by using 20. With Fairleigh Dickinson being an amazing perimeter shooting group, the Knights can use the three balls to make certain record repeats themselves. — Chris Dobbertean, Blogging the Bracket
- 2) Michigan vs. 15) Montana, 9:20 p.M., TNT
- Spread: Michigan -sixteen
Why Michigan will need the cowl: Michigan and Montana confronted off closing year inside the NCAA event first spherical below comparable circumstances. The Wolverines beat them with the aid of 14. That crew turned into a piece higher than this edition of the Wolverines; however, with the spread set at 15.5 for Thursday’s recreation, I sense they ought to be able to cover that coming off of any other disappointing loss to Michigan State and understanding what’s on the line now. We noticed a far greater influence and prepared for the March basketball crew closing weekend in Chicago, and I think they recognize what they should do. They’ll cover it. — Anthony Broome, Maize N Brew
Why Montana will need cowl: Montana brought one of the most skilled rosters to the NCAA Tournament and lost to Michigan in the remaining tournament year as a 14 seed. The Griz get right seems on offense nearly every time down and ranks 7th within the USA in powerful discipline purpose percent. The sport will likely be performed slower, and the Griz can get cowl if they execute their offense. — Russell Steinberg, Mid Major Madness
- 4) Florida State vs. 13) Vermont, 2:00 p.M., TBS
- Spread: Florida State -eleven
Why Florida State will cover: Florida State’s defense is rated 9th nationally, but considering February 1, they have been playing at an elite degree (1/3 nationally). Their period will provide Vermont fits and permit FSU to attain sufficient transition to hold their opponents at bay. — Michael Rogner, Tomahawk Nation
Why Vermont will cover: The satisfactory participant on the ground received’t be in garnet and gold. Anthony Lamb can bully maximum everybody on FSU’s team who can be guarding him. And while he can’t? He’ll knock down threes or go to his midrange sport. The Seminoles can’t match up. — Michael Rogner, Tomahawk Nation
- 5) Marquette vs. 12) Murray State, 4:30 p.M., TBS
- Spread: Marquette -four
Why Marquette will cover: First, Marquette is the first-rate defensive team that Murray State has visible all season. Marquette is No. 35 in KenPom’s adjusted protective performance metric, and Murray State hasn’t even performed towards pinnacle-eighty protection because the calendar changed to 2019. Second, if Marquette has a lead late and desires to hold onto the margin from the loose-throw line, they can rely on being a top-25 free-throw-taking pictures team with three starters taking pictures over 80 percent from the charity stripe. Finally, it’s the perfect and most obvious answer: Marquette has Markus Howard, and Murray State does now not. Please don’t get me wrong; Ja Morant is amazing and does stuff Howard can not. But Howard is a much greater explosive scorer, capable of single-handedly turning a game from ownership or two into a 10-point margin in mere minutes. Also, you’d like the handiest to need one hand to count the number of photographs that it took him to do it. — Andrew Fleck, Anonymous Eagle
Why Murray State will cowl: You recognize precisely why Murray State can cowl. They have Ja Morant, whose matchup with Markus Howard will be appointment viewing. The 12-five is always a popular dissatisfied pick, and Murray State goes to follow that fashion. It shouldn’t be remotely surprising if they cover or even win outright. Ja and the Racers, are that right? — Russell Steinberg, Mid Major Madness
- 7) Nevada vs. 10) Florida, 6:50 p.M., TNT
- Spread: Nevada -2.5
Why Nevada will cover: Nevada has heaps of experience within the age of gamers (the oldest group inside the event) and postseason experience (after a run to the Sweet 16 remaining year). The Martin twins — Caleb and Cody — are the most widely recognized at the crew, but Jordan Caroline can be one of the most underrated gamers in the US. He sat out the MWC identify sport with an Achilles trouble. However, he has to be returned for this one against the Gators. The Wolfpack don’t flip it over and run an efficient offense. They can get buckets and don’t ever count them out (see: comeback vs. Cincy remaining 12 months). — Caroline Darney
Why Florida will need the cowl: The Gators rank 14th in adjusted protection and rank close to the lowest of the country in adjusted tempo. Nevada has an appreciably deeper offense, and Florida will appear to slow this recreation down using a massive margin. Nevada brings the aspect of inexperience, but if Florida turns this into an unsightly slog, they could spring the disenchanted. — David Fucillo
- 8) Syracuse vs. Nine) Baylor, 9:57 p.M., truTV
- Spread: Syracuse -2
Why Syracuse will need cowl: Baylor is one of the high-quality offensive rebounding groups within the USA. However, Syracuse ought to weather that storm and cowl as the tallest group in the country. The Orange obtained a few inspired shields playing within the ACC match without Tyus Battle and are now playing at its highest level all season. With Battle’s lower back within the fold, look for Syracuse to lock in defensively in the 2-three area because it frequently does in March and cowl the point spread. — James Szuba, Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician
Baylor will cover: Baylor will need a cowl because Baylor has a big offensive rebounding gain — the Bears are 2d in offensive rebounding rate. Syracuse is 335th in shielding rebounding charge (explored greater right here). The Orange let North Carolina, a worse offensive rebounding group, snatch 52 percent of their misses. Baylor runs that returned and actions on. — Kendall Kaut, Our Daily Bears
