šŸšØTHIS. IS. MARCH.

Let's quickly discuss the MASSIVE upsets on Day 1 and then we can get into best bets/predictions for Day 2.

Author

Brian Courcelle
March 16, 2023

No. 13 Furman UPSETS No. 4 Virginia

In a sadly familiar manner, the Virginia Cavaliers suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Furman Paladins yesterday with a score of 68-67. Despite maintaining a double-digit lead several times during the game, the team couldn't hold it together in the final minutes. The Cavaliers turned the ball over to JP Pegues, who managed to sink a three-pointer with only 2.2 seconds left on the clock. What an incredible finish to an already incredible game!

We were all over this one šŸ‘‡. Iā€™m not saying we are psychic, but we do have some spectacular predictions that make me speculate sometimes šŸ§. Need some help with your March Madness picks? Click here to check out more predictions for the tournament.

No. 15 Princeton UPSETS No. 2 Arizona

For the third year in a row, a No. 15 seed has pulled off a massive upset against a No. 2 seed in the men's NCAA tournament. After Oral Roberts defeated Ohio State in 2021 and Saint Peter's took down Kentucky in 2022, Princeton has now sent shockwaves throughout the tournament by defeating Arizona in 2023.

This victory busted the few brackets that still remained perfect. Due to surprise wins by Princeton and Furman during Thursday's early games, only 0.03% of users have managed to make all of their NCAA tournament predictions correctly. Those users probably used these March Madness predictions.

What other upsets can we predict for Day 2 of Round 1? šŸ‘‡

šŸšØUPSET ALERT: Miami vs Drake

Today at 7:25 PM on TBS

ACC co-champion Miami (Fla.) earned its No. 5 seed in the Midwest behind a guard-heavy lineup and transfer portal gem Norchad Omier controlling the paint. However, Omierā€™s injury in the ACC Tourney could greatly hamper the Hurricanesā€™ title hopes.

Behind the shooting of D.J. Wilkins, No. 12 seed Drake has gone 13-1 since Jan. 18 en route to winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title. The Bulldogs will be up to the task of playing the up-tempo style the ā€˜Canes enjoy.

  • Moneyline: Miami (-135) | Drake (+115)

  • Spread: Miami -2 (-110) | Drake +2 (-110)

  • Over/Under: Over 146.5 (-110) | Under 146.5 (-110)

Forget the ā€œDrake hasnā€™t played anyoneā€ hoo-ha: The Bulldogs are legit. Also, the MVC has a solid 12-6 record in first-round games since 2010, and if Wilkins and leading scorer Tucker DeVries continue shooting lights-out, the Bulldogs will force the Hurricanes to play even more of an up-tempo style.

If Omier is sidelined or limited, Miami will lose its edge in the paint. The Hurricanes ranked 246th nationally in rebounds per game with him in the lineup.

This is a 5-12 matchup in which the better team is walking into an ambush.

UPSET ALERT: Indiana vs Kent State

Today at 9:55 PM on TBS

All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis and NBA Lottery-bound freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino give fourth-seed Indiana one of the tourneyā€™s best one-two combos, yet the Hoosiers have been helter skelter (15-17-1) all season versus the spread.

Guess who hasnā€™t? 13-seed Kent State, the Mid-America Conference Tournament champs who have been a stellar 20-11-1 this season ATS. The Golden Flashes have covered in four straight and seven of their last 10, making them a very intriguing team to roll with against Indiana.

  • Moneyline: Indiana (-175) | Kent State (+150)

  • Spread: Indiana -4 (-110) | Kent State +4 (-110)

  • Over/Under: Over 139.5 (-110) | Under 139.5 (-110)

Kenpom.com shows these are two evenly matched teams in both adjusted offense and adjusted tempo. The Hoosiers, ranked 30th at Kenpom.com, should thrive from the combined firepower from Jackson-Davis and Hood-Schifino despite their 12-11-0 record as favorites.

Kent State has won 12 of their last 14 and sports a 4-1 record as a ā€˜dog. The aptly named Sincere Carry is the heart of this team, but if this game gets tight, keep in mind the Golden Flashes are ranked 145th nationally in free throws (72.5%), whereas the Hoosiers are 207th (71.2%).

TCU vs Arizona State

Today at 10:05 PM on TRU TV

No. 6 TCU takes on No. 11 Arizona State in the Round of 64 in what should be an intriguing matchup.

The Horned Frogs are coming off a strong showing in the Big 12 Championship, losing in the semifinals to No. 2 Texas. Arizona State will look to build off a blowout win over Nevada in the First Four.

  • Moneyline: TCU (-240) | Arizona State (+200)

  • Point Spread: TCU -6 (-110) | Arizona State +6 (-110)

  • Total: Over 141 (-110) | Under 141 (-110)

TCU ranks 20th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, according to Pomeroyā€™s rankings. Thatā€™s going to make it difficult for Arizona Stateā€™s 133rd-ranked offense. This is the matchup edge that should propel the Horned Frogs to a win here.

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