🏀 March Madness Predictions Saturday: Expert Picks & Odds for Round 2
After the first round of the NCAA Tournament, we enter the third day with just 32 teams left and 16 of them playing today, and our March Madness predictions for Saturday include our best bets for all eight games on the slate.
Day 3 of the NCAA Tournament gives us another 12 hours of college basketball, and we've got you covered with our March Madness bracket predictions for every matchup.
🕒 Saturday's March Madness schedule
Today's second-round slate:
| Favorite | Underdog | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Michigan -12.5 | (9) Saint Louis | 12:10 p.m. ET | KeyBank Center (Buffalo, N.Y.) |
| (3) Michigan State -4.5 | (6) Louisville | 2:45 p.m. ET | KeyBank Center (Buffalo, N.Y.) |
| (1) Duke -11.5 | (9) TCU | 5:15 p.m. ET | Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, S.C.) |
| (2) Houston -9.5 | (10) Texas A&M | 6:10 p.m. ET | Paycom Center (Oklahoma City) |
| (3) Gonzaga -5.5 | (11) Texas | 7:10 p.m. ET | Moda Center (Portland, Ore.) |
| (3) Illinois -10.5 | (11) VCU | 7:50 p.m. ET | Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, S.C.) |
| (5) Vanderbilt -2.5 | (4) Nebraska | 8:45 p.m. ET | Paycom Center (Oklahoma City) |
| (4) Arkansas -11.5 | (12) High Point | 9:45 p.m. ET | Moda Center (Portland, Ore.) |
🔎 March Madness predictions: Saturday
Check out the latest March Madness odds and Final Four odds.
Saint Louis vs. Michigan odds & predictions
Saint Louis vs. Michigan prediction: Under 161.5
"Michigan rates in the 96th percentile in half-court defense and man defense. The Wolverines are excellent at defending ball screens (91st percentile), which is what you need to do to slow down the Billikens." - via Shane Thurston
Louisville vs. Michigan State odds & predictions
Louisville vs. Michigan State prediction: Louisville +4.5
"According to Will Warren of Basket Under Review, Louisville actually has a better net rating with (Mikel) Brown off the floor this year. That includes some disastrous 3-point luck, as the Cardinals were shooting 31.7% from deep without Brown entering the NCAA Tournament." - via Shane Thurston
TCU vs. Duke odds & predictions
TCU vs. Duke prediction: Duke Over 35.5 first-half points
"Duke's half-court offense ranks in the 97th percentile, per BBall Index. TCU's half-court defense ranks in the 68th percentile. This is a talent mismatch, which is why FanDuel has set Duke's first-half total at 36.5." - via Shane Thurston
Texas A&M vs. Houston odds & predictions
Texas A&M vs. Houston prediction: Texas A&M +11
"Entering the NCAA Tournament, the Aggies had only played two games with under 65 possessions. But they certainly didn’t mind Thursday’s 63-50 slugfest, and they improved to 17-2 when forcing a turnover rate of at least 16%." - via Mike Spector
Texas vs. Gonzaga odds & predictions
Texas vs. Gonzaga prediction: Texas +6.5
"Gonzaga has a difficult prep for a much different opponent than Kennesaw State was, as the Owls confused the Bulldogs with a myriad of junk zone looks. But it is also concerning that the Owls attempted 26 free throws, while Texas averages the third-highest free throw rate in the country." - via Mike Spector
VCU vs. Illinois odds & predictions
VCU vs. Illinois prediction: VCU Over 69.5 points
"Assuming the Rams' legs aren't completely dead, they have some advantages in this matchup. The Fighting Illini don't force any turnovers, ranking 365th in defensive turnover rate. Their rotations are also a concern, as they rank in the 22nd percentile in covering pass-outs on ball screens, per BBall Index. VCU's offense is in the 84th percentile on such plays, as its 3-pointing clip (36.9%) ranks 30th in the country." via Shane Thurston
Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska odds & predictions
Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska prediction: Nebraska +2.5
"If Vanderbilt thinks it will free up its standout backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles with a steady diet of ball screens, it should think again. Nebraska ranks in the 7th percentile in ball screens allowed with a 99th percentile efficiency rating, so the Commodores will have to win the majority of one-on-one matchups." - via Mike Spector
High Point vs. Arkansas odds & predictions
High Point vs. Arkansas prediction: High Point +11.5
"High Point had great preparation for Arkansas by playing Wisconsin, as the two teams similarly run offense through their standout backcourt duos. The most impressive thing about Thursday’s win was that Wisconsin was previously 21-2 when shooting at least 33.3% from beyond the arc, and the Badgers shot 39.1%." - via Mike Spector
📅 March Madness key dates
Selection Sunday: March 15First 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
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