The first round of the NCAA Tournament is chaotic as 64 of the best college basketball teams in the nation clash in a win-or-go-home scenario over two days.
Trying to make a perfect March Madness bracket is practically impossible, and trying to predict every final score for the first round might be even more daunting.
I do my best to make sense of the insanity and bring you my March Madness score predictions and March Madness picks for every Round 1 game on Thursday and Friday.
March Madness score predictions
East Region
(1) Duke vs (16) Siena
Score prediction: Duke 82-52
Congratulations to the Saints, who have completely turned around their program in two years. Their reward: facing the No. 1 team in the country who will demolish them like every other small school they've faced.
(8) Ohio State vs (9) TCU
Score prediction: Ohio State 74-72
These teams are closely matched, but guard play is paramount at this time of the year, and OSU's backcourt of Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. is fantastic.
(5) St. John's vs (12) Northern Iowa
Score prediction: St. John's 72-64
The Panthers will make things interesting, but they won't have an answer for Zuby Ejiofor down low.
(4) Kansas vs (13) Cal Baptist
Score prediction: Kansas 74-62
The Jayhawks' offense has looked stagnant over the last month, but their defense and athleticism will be too much for the Lancers in Round 1.
(6) Louisville vs (11) South Florida
Score prediction: Louisville 82-78
The Bulls will play Louisville tough, but the Cardinals will pull away thanks to the backcourt of Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr.
(3) Michigan State vs (14) NDSU
Score prediction: Michigan State 76-64
Tom Izzo isn't going to lose in the first round against an NDSU squad that doesn't do anything particularly well.
(7) UCLA vs (10) UCF
Score prediction: UCLA 78-74
The Bruins are playing their best ball at the right time. Getting a healthy Tyler Bilodeau back in the lineup will lead to a win against the Knights, who have been getting torched on defense.
(2) UConn vs (15) Furman
Score prediction: UConn 78-62
Dan Hurley will have his team amped up after a pathetic display in the Big East Tournament Final.
Midwest Region
(1) Michigan vs (16) Howard
Score prediction: Michigan 94-60
Howard is one of the smallest teams in the country, while Michigan is one of the biggest. This is an obvious mismatch, and the Wolverines will look recapture their early-season form.
(8) Georgia vs (9) Saint Louis
Score prediction: Saint Louis 85-84
Georgia is vulnerable on defense, and this Billikens squad can cook them from the perimeter. Get ready for "Cream Abdul Jabbar" Robbie Avila to become a household name.
(5) Texas Tech vs (12) Akron
Score prediction: Texas Tech 84-80
Akron will give Texas Tech a scare, but the Zips can't defend the perimeter, and the Red Raiders' elite 3-point shooting will help them pull away.
(4) Alabama vs (13) Hofstra
Score prediction: Alabama 94-78
There are two kinds of teams that can give Alabama problems. Explosive offenses that can go basket-for-basket with them, and athletic defenses that can slow them down. Hofstra is neither. Roll Tide.
(3) Virginia vs (14) Wright State
Score prediction: Virginia 78-62
Wright State's undersized guards will have a tough time getting to the rim against Virginia's center platoon of Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso. And the Raiders mediocre defense won't be able to slow down a UVA offense that is playing with tempo under Ryan Odom.
(7) Kentucky vs (10) Santa Clara
Score prediction: Kentucky 80-78
Santa Clara will put up a fight but Kentucky's depth and overall talent will lead to a close win for the Wildcats.
(2) Iowa State vs (15) Tennessee State
Score prediction: Iowa State 84-64
The Tigers blazing-fast pace and turnover issues will turn into quick points in transition for an Iowa State squad that can run up the score.
South Region
(8) Iowa vs (9) Clemson
Score prediction: Iowa 65-63
Iowa takes a rock-fight with Bennett Stirtz controlling the action, and Clemson dreaming of a reality where second-leading scorer Carter Welling didn't tear his ACL last week.
(5) Vanderbilt vs (12) McNeese State
Score prediction: Vanderbilt 78-72
The Cowboys will make things interesting with their ball pressure, but Vanderbilt has seen it all in the SEC and will prevail.
(4) Nebraska vs (13) Troy
Score prediction: Nebraska 72-60
This could be a bit of a snoozer, but the Huskers superior shot-makers will help them pull away from the Trojans.
(6) UNC vs (11) VCU
Score prediction: VCU 78-76
Don't be surprised if the Tar Heels get upset by a scrappy VCU squad. UNC has looked vulnerable since losing Caleb Wilson, and their perimeter defense has been awful over the last two months.
(3) Illinois vs (14) Penn
Score prediction: Illinois 88-70
Penn is riding the high off a Ivy League title win against Yale. But TJ Power won't be enough to match the firepower of an elite Illinois offense.
(7) Texas A&M vs (10) Saint Mary's
Score prediction: Saint Mary's 72-70
The Gaels grind out a win with their defense and structure.
(2) Houston vs (15) Idaho
Score prediction: Houston 78-55
The Vandals were just a .500 team in during the regular season against Big Sky opponents. They'll be shut down by the Cougars, who are used to containing top-rated offenses.
West Region
(1) Arizona vs (16) LIU
Score prediction: Arizona 92-62
The Wildcats have been blowing out power-conference foes all season, so don't expect them to break a sweat against tiny Long Island University.
(8) Villanova vs (9) Utah State
Score prediction: Villanova 74-72
Teams from the Mountain West Conference have struggled in the NCAA Tournament in recent years, and the Wildcats have the balance and experience to pull off the small upset.
(5) Wisconsin vs (12) High Point
Score prediction: Wisconsin 88-74
High Point have played an extremely weak schedule, and this is the first time all season the Panthers are underdogs. They'll be out of their depth against the Badgers, who have proven themselves against elite competition with wins against Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois.
(4) Arkansas vs (13) Hawaii
Score prediction: Arkansas 90-72
Hawaii has a massive frontcourt, but they don't have the talent or athleticism to hang with Darius Acuff Jr. and the Razorbacks.
(6) BYU vs (11) Texas
Score prediction: Texas 83-82
The Longhorns barely beat NC State in the First Four, but don't be surprised if they knock off No. 6 seed BYU in the first round. The Cougars have looked vulnerable since losing Richie Saunders to a season-ending injury, and their vulnerable defense could be exposed by the Longhorns' efficient attack.
(3) Gonzaga vs (14) Kennesaw State
Score prediction: Gonzaga 86-66
Props to Kennesaw State, which had to deal with the mid-season suspension of its best player. That said, the Owls won't be able to compete with a Zags squad that is used to beating up on overwhelmed foes.
(7) Miami (FL) vs (10) Missouri
Score prediction: Miami 77-76
These teams are eerily similar in terms of lineup, playing style, and weaknesses. The Canes have a slightly better turnover differential and are better on the boards which will make the difference in a tight game.
(2) Purdue vs (15) Queens
Score prediction: Purdue 90-66
Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn were all on the squad that was shocked by Fairleigh Dickinson in Round 1 three years ago. They make sure that doesn't happen again and the Royals piss-poor defense won't offer much resistance.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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