Northeastern stays in almost every game it plays with an efficient offensive attack. (Photo credit: SignalPAD / Foter / CC BY-SA)
No. 3 Notre Dame versus No. 14 Northeastern
Time: 12:15 p.m. eastern (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Our pick: Northeastern +12.5
Notre Dame’s stock is as high as ever, having just won the ACC championship Saturday night with a win over North Carolina on national TV. The Irish is one of the most popular March Madness picks in Round 1, especially after having covered seven of its last eight games.
Notre Dame could struggle pulling away from Northeastern, however. The Huskies are very efficient offensively (12th in field goal percentage at 48.6) and is very comfortable playing the slower pace that the Irish prefers (both teams are in the bottom third of the NCAA in possessions per game).
Northeastern also ranked eighth in the NCAA in rebounds allowed, while Notre Dame is just 252nd in rebounds collected.
The Irish is a 12.5 point favourite in this contest. Northeastern has lost by double digits just once since Dec. 3 — and that loss came in overtime.
It’s also worth noting that approximately 75% of the public is on Notre Dame to cover. When March Madness picks look this easy, they usually aren’t.
No. 3 Iowa State versus No. 14 University of Alabama-Birmingham
Time: 12:40 p.m. eastern (Lexington, Ky.)
Our pick: UAB +13.5
A lot of people saw the Cyclones storm back from a big halftime deficit to defeat Kansas in the Big 12 final. And Iowa State is a team many people tend to favour with their March Madness picks, ranking 14th in the NCAA in points per game (78.4).
When your defence is as leaky as Iowa State’s, however, your opponent is hardly ever out of the game. Especially in a point spread range such as this, with the Cyclones having to win by 14 points to cover.
UAB isn’t likely to win this game, but the Blazers enter this one with as much confidence as they’ve had all season. UAB defeated Conference USA favourite Louisiana Tech on its way to winning its conference tournament last week.
Ten of the Blazers’ 13 players are underclassmen, making UAB the third-youngest team in the tournament. There’s potential for them to look like deer in the headlights, but there’s also a good chance they’ll play like they have nothing to lose.
Note: When betting on underdogs like these two March Madness picks, it’s often wise to wait until right before game time. With most people lining up to bet on the favourite, the point spread will likely shift a half point or more in your direction, which can be the difference between winning or losing your bet.
It’s also wise to have accounts at sportsbooks like Bodog or Sports Interaction, since they are recreational sportsbooks that often shade their lines towards the favourites. This is another way to get an extra half point or more on your March Madness picks.