2024 March Insanity predictions: Skilled picks towards the unfold, NCAA bracket odds in Friday first spherical video games – CBS Sports activities

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The primary spherical of the 2024 NCAA Match continues rolling Friday as continuous March Madness motion enters its second day starting simply after midday ET. The sector will quickly shrink from 64 to 48 groups, and one other 16 will probably be whittled away earlier than the weekend commences
The sun-up to sun-down schedule is exclusive within the sports activities world, and now that your brackets are set — hopefully with out too many crimson marks after the primary 16 video games — there are different picks that may be made within the first spherical. Getting some further pores and skin within the sport can definitely put you within the match spirit or liven issues up much more.
Our CBS Sports activities consultants have convened to offer you additional perception into Friday’s first-round video games with picks straight up and towards the unfold. Our expert brackets might provide some assist, too, particularly in the event you’re contemplating seed-line upsets.
The NCAA Match is all about surviving and advancing, however for these plunking down on their coach or pulling as much as their desk to devour as a lot March Insanity content material as doable — particularly over the subsequent 4 days — which groups cowl their spreads will probably be fairly vital as effectively. The CBS Sports activities faculty basketball consultants have been protecting the game for years and positively all season since November, and they don’t seem to be shy with their picks for these video games.
You’ll want to stick to CBS Sports activities for the remainder of the month as NCAA Match protection continues by way of the tip of the Last 4. Let’s check out our knowledgeable picks as first spherical video games proceed Friday.
Odds by way of SportsLine concensus | All instances Jap
Friday, 12:15 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: That is too many factors to present to Mr. Clutch Boo Buie and the Wildcats. It is a crew that is defeated Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State this season, and in whole, has extra wins towards NCAA Match groups (5) than FAU. The Owls have been a bit inconsistent over the past month, going 5-3 of their final eight video games with losses in a few of their hardest video games. When Buie has a historical past of arising large in shut sport eventualities, I really like getting Northwestern now catching greater than an entire possession of factors. Choose: Northwestern +3.5 — Chip Patterson
Unfold
FAU -2.5
FAU -2.5
NW +2.5
NW +2.5
FAU -2.5
NW +2.5
Straight up
FAU
FAU
FAU
NW
FAU
NW
Friday, 3:10 p.m. | truTV, March Madness Live: What a poor draw for Clemson, catching a New Mexico crew whose high quality is far more becoming of a No. 8 seed and subsequently offers a a lot harder check than the Tigers would have confronted in one other bracket. The backcourt trio of Donovan Dent, Jaelen Home and Jamal Mashburn Jr. are going to trigger all types of havoc for Clemson’s protection, and I am undecided if the Tigers’ ball-handlers are going to succeed sufficient towards New Mexico’s strain. Clemson does have a measurement benefit that New Mexico will need to keep away from, however with tempo and strain, the Lobos can dictate the phrases of the sport. Choose: New Mexico -2.5 — Chip Patterson
Unfold
NMEX -2
NMEX -2
NMEX -2
NMEX -2
NMEX -2
NMEX -2
Straight up
NMEX
NMEX
NMEX
NMEX
NMEX
NMEX
Friday, 4:30 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: A crew from the First 4 has made the second spherical of the NCAA Match in three of the final 4 years, and the Buffaloes appear best-equipped to maintain that development rolling. They scooted previous a very proficient Boise State crew within the First 4 on Wednesday with one in every of their finest defensive outings of the season and have a variety of weapons inside and outside to maintain Florida on alert. I just like the Buffs by a smidge right here, so I will take the free factors. Choose: Colorado +2 — Kyle Boone
Unfold
COLO +1
COLO +1
COLO +1
COLO +1
UF -1
COLO +1
Straight up
COLO
COLO
COLO
COLO
UF
COLO
Who will win each faculty basketball sport, and which favorites must be on upset alert? Visit SportsLine now to get picks and predictions for every college basketball game, all from a mannequin that simulates each sport 10,000 instances.
Friday, 6:50 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: Texas A&M has gained 5 of its final six video games, together with a convincing win over Kentucky within the SEC Match. The Aggies are discovering their stride offensively and starting to appear like the crew that was anticipated to compete for the SEC title. With veteran guards Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford main the way in which, TAMU goes to be a tricky out for a Nebraska program unaccustomed to this stage. The Aggies are ferocious on the glass and might flip right into a juggernaut after they make 3s. Choose: Texas A&M +1 — David Cobb
Unfold
TAMU +1.5
NEB -1.5
TAMU +1.5
NEB -1.5
TAMU +1.5
TAMU +1.5
Straight up
TAMU
NEB -1.5
TAMU
NEB -1.5
TAMU
TAMU
Friday, 7:35 p.m. | truTV, March Madness Live: Alabama comes into the NCAA Match struggling defensively, which makes Charleston a difficult opponent. The Cougars are one of many nation’s high 3-point capturing groups and will probably be completely positive taking part in at Bama’s most well-liked uptempo tempo. Charleston took San Diego State, an eventual Last 4 crew, all the way down to the wire in final yr’s match. That have will serve the Cougars effectively towards a Crimson Tide squad that’s looking for rhythm. Choose: Charleston +9 — David Cobb
Unfold
BAMA -9.5
SAM +7.5
BAMA -9.5
BAMA -9.5
BAMA -9.5
BAMA -9.5
Straight up
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
Friday, 9:55 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: In what turned out to be a terrific yr for the Mountain West, Danny Sprinkle’s Aggies stood above the remainder in profitable the regular-season title with a potent and balanced offensive assault. TCU has been cold and warm on that finish, and it is coming off a season-low 45 factors vs. Houston within the Massive 12 Match. Utah State has the products to maintain it inside the quantity and doubtlessly pull off the upset. Choose: Utah State +4 — Kyle Boone
Unfold
UTST +3
UTST +3
UTST +3
UTST +3
UTST +3
TCU -3
Straight up
UTST
UTST
UTST
UTST
UTST
TCU
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