🏀 March Madness Predictions Friday: Expert Picks & Odds for Round 1

The second day of the NCAA Tournament features another 16 games, and our March Madness predictions for Friday include our best bets for every game on the slate.

Day 2 of the first round gives us another 12 hours of do-or-die college basketball, and we've got you covered with our March Madness bracket predictions for every matchup.

🕒 Friday's March Madness schedule

Today's full first-round slate:

🔎 March Madness predictions: Friday

Check out the latest March Madness odds and Final Four odds.

Santa Clara vs. Kentucky odds & predictions

Santa Clara vs. Kentucky prediction: Kentucky -3.5

"The Broncos haven't experienced many affairs against teams of Kentucky's caliber, and they haven't had a ton of success when they have. Santa Clara is 2-6 in Quad 1 games, with its only wins coming against similarly-underexposed WCC foe, Saint Mary's. The Broncos have allowed 80.25 PPG in Quad 1 games, and should struggle to contain the Wildcats (80.8 PPG)." - via Brenden Schaeffer

Akron vs. Texas Tech odds & predictions

Akron vs. Texas Tech prediction: Over 155.5

"Akron (113th in DRtg) allows 35.1% to its opponents on 3-point attempts (253rd) and plays at a pace (32nd in adjusted tempo) that should speed up the Red Raiders, leading one of the nation's best offenses to have ample possessions to do damage." - via Brenden Schaeffer

Long Island vs. Arizona odds & predictions

Long Island vs. Arizona prediction: Arizona -31.5

"The first thing I notice about this matchup is the size mismatch. Long Island's tallest starter is 6'6", while Arizona has multiple key players 6'7" and taller, including 7'2" Motiejus Krivas. Additionally, Long Island doesn't shoot well, averaging just 6.0 made 3-pointers per game, the 326th-most in the country." - via Phil Wood

Wright State vs. Virginia odds & predictions

Wright State vs. Virginia prediction: Over 145.5

"Virginia can't do all the scoring alone. Thankfully, Wright State is averaging 80.7 points per game. The Raiders rank 30th in the country in shooting percentage (48.8%), so they should be able to at least partially overcome this brutal matchup against the nation's 13th-best shooting defense." - via Phil Wood

Tennessee State vs. Iowa State odds & predictions

Tennessee State vs. Iowa State prediction: Iowa State -24.5

"Iowa State is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, knocking down 38.7% of its attempts from deep. Six different Cyclones shoot over 30% from deep, including Milan Momcilovic, who shoots 49.6% from 3-point range." - via Phil Wood

Hofstra vs. Alabama odds & predictions

Hofstra vs. Alabama prediction: Hofstra +12.5

"Hofstra ranks 33rd in 3-point field goal percentage (36.8%), which could be a huge problem for an Alabama defense that ranks 169th in opponent 3-point field goal percentage. This excellent shooting, combined with the nation's 19th-best scoring defense (66.1 points per game), has allowed the Pride to go 21-11 ATS this season." - via Phil Wood

Utah State vs. Villanova odds & predictions

Utah State vs. Villanova prediction: Utah State ML

"Despite coming from the superior league, I'm looking at Villanova as susceptible to an early exit due to its pedigree against quality teams. The Wildcats are 1-6 against Quad 1 opponents that made the NCAA Tournament field." - via Brenden Schaeffer

Miami (OH) vs. Tennessee odds & predictions

Miami (OH) vs. Tennessee prediction: Tennessee -10.5

Miami (OH) let it fly against SMU, hitting 16-of-41 threes (39%), but I don't see that strategy resulting in a favorable outcome against Tennessee. The Volunteers allow just 30.6% on opposing three-point attempts. - via Brenden Schaeffer 

Iowa vs. Clemson odds & predictions

Iowa vs. Clemson prediction: Iowa ML

"With few points and possessions expected, I lean toward the more-balanced Hawkeyes, who also happen to be the group with stronger free-throw efficiency (77.0%, 33rd) to close out a close game." - via Brenden Schaeffer

Northern Iowa vs. St. John's odds & predictions

Northern Iowa vs. St. John's prediction: Northern Iowa +9.5

"St. John's doesn't shoot the three well (33.2%, 215th), and it's not especially efficient on two-point field goals (51.6%, 190th). That provides an opening for Northern Iowa, who pairs sturdy defense with the third-slowest adjusted tempo in the country. UNI wants a rock fight, and St. John's may not have the necessary characteristics to avoid one." - via Brenden Schaeffer

UCF vs. UCLA odds & predictions

UCF vs. UCLA prediction: UCLA -5.5

"The Knights fall outside the top-100 in adjusted defensive efficiency and allow opponents to shoot 45.6% from the field (237th). Key Bruin scorers Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau exited UCLA's last game due to injury, but both are expected to play on Friday. Wheels up for UCLA's explosive offense against this soft defensive team." - via Brenden Schaeffer

Queens vs. Purdue odds & predictions

Queens vs. Purdue prediction: Purdue -25.5

"Not only is Purdue averaging 81.7 points per game and 49.9% from the field this season, but they get to face a defense that is allowing 82.9 points per game, which ranks 353rd in the nation. Purdue is also averaging 11.3 offensive rebounds per game and should get plenty of extra possessions against a team that ranks 267th in rebounds per game." - via Phil Wood

Prairie View A&M vs. Florida odds & predictions

Prairie View A&M vs. Florida prediction: Prairie View A&M +35.5

"After taking down Lehigh, Prairie View A&M is 22-9 against the spread this season, the fourth-best mark in the country. This is a team that challenged itself in the nonconference, facing Missouri, Oklahoma State, LSU, and Texas A&M. Though noncompetitive, Prairie View A&M kept all of those games within 30 points." - via Phil Wood

Cal Baptist vs. Kansas odds & predictions

Cal Baptist vs. Kansas prediction: Under 137.5

"And while I believe Kansas could end up scoring in the 70s, I never see Cal Baptist getting into the mid-60s or higher. The Lancers rank 267th in shooting percentage (43.2%), and they're probably going to shoot even worse from the field against a Kansas defense that ranks third in opponent field goal percentage (38.8%)." - via Phil Wood

Furman vs. UConn odds & predictions

Furman vs. UConn prediction: Under 136.5

"Considering UConn has the 23rd-best 3-point shooting defense and 19th-best shooting defense, I don't expect Furman to score enough to offset UConn's recent offensive struggles." - via Phil Wood

Missouri vs. Miami odds & predictions

Missouri vs. Miami prediction: Miami ML

"I'm a Mizzou grad who will be in the building on Friday night, but I see containing interior threats Malik Reneau (18.8 PPG) and Ernest Udeh Jr. as a problem if Missouri center Shawn Phillips Jr. can't stay out of foul trouble—and he rarely stays out of foul trouble." - via Brenden Schaeffer

💡 Expert March Madness bracket picks & contests

Here are the rest of our March Madness bracket tips ahead of Thursday's deadline:

• Kalshi Billion Dollar Bracket
• Today's best March Madness bracket contests
• When are March Madness brackets due?
• Free printable March Madness bracket
• Expert March Madness bracket predictions
• March Madness AI bracket predictions

📅 March Madness key dates

• Selection Sunday: March 15
• First Four: March 17-18 (Dayton, Ohio)
• First round: March 19-20
• Second round: March 21-22
• Sweet 16: March 26-27
• Elite Eight: March 28-29
• Final Four: Saturday, April 4
• National championship game: Monday, April 6