The 2023 NCAA Tournament formally began Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio, with video games within the First Four, however for many followers the actual mayhem of March will get going Thursday and Friday as first-round motion takes place throughout the country. Between the subsequent two days, the sector will shrink in half from 64 to 32 groups as a (nearly) sun as much as sun down schedule consumes the game of faculty basketball.
It’s what makes March Madness, nicely, March Madness.
Getting some additional pores and skin within the video games might assist put you in the event spirit, too. Below, our CBS Sports consultants have offered their insight with picks straight up and in opposition to the unfold for some of the prime games on Thursday’s prolonged slate. Our expert brackets might supply some help on this front as nicely.
While surviving and advancing is clearly what issues for many, we care about whether or not these groups will cover their spreads, and we have tracked the season since November to have the ability to offer our own thoughts on every recreation.
Be positive to stay with CBS Sports throughout the remainder of the month for NCAA Tournament coverage by way of the end of the Final Four. Let’s check out our skilled picks as first round video games get underway Thursday.
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All occasions Eastern
Featured NCAA Tournament picks
(8) Iowa vs. (9) Auburn
Thursday, 6:50 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: As Jerry Palm wrote about Wednesday, the choice committee oddly awarded Auburn a spot in the Birmingham web site to open the NCAA Tournament. So, successfully, this is a home recreation for the Tigers. That’s sufficient for me to lean their way in an in depth spread, so I’ll lay the point. Pick: Auburn -1
Spread
IOWA +1
IOWA +1
IOWA +1
AUB -1
IOWA +1
AUB -1
Straight up
IOWA
IOWA
IOWA
AUB
IOWA
AUB
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(5) Duke vs. (12) Oral Roberts
Thursday, 7:10 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: I took Oral Roberts when this line was at +6.5 and I’ll keep it up at +6 (though I’m glad I obtained the hook on the opening line). The Golden Eagles are considered one of only four teams this season to win no less than 30 video games, and they enter the tourney having received 27 of their last 28. With sharpshooting Max Abmas, they’ve the goods to maintain Duke sweating right down to the wire. Pick: Oral Roberts +6.5
Spread
DUKE -6.5
ORU +6.5
ORU +6.5
ORU +6.5
ORU +6.5
DUKE -6.5
Straight up
ORU
ORU
ORU
DUKE
DUKE
DUKE
(7) Missouri vs. (10) Utah State
Thursday, 1:40 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: This line opened at Utah State -2 and has ticked down to -1 within the final day or in order Missouri positive aspects steam amongst public bettors. I’m going to carry regular on the Utah State prepare here. Coach Ryan Odom led the Aggies to seven wins in its final eight games main into the NCAA Tournament with the lone loss coming to a fifth-seeded San Diego State group that has the products to make a deep run. Pick: Utah State -1
Spread
MIZZOU +1
UTAHST -1
MIZZOU +1
UTAHST -1
MIZZOU +1
MIZZOU +1
Straight up
MIZZOU
UTAHST
MIZZOU
UTAHST
MIZZOU
MIZZOU
(1) Kansas vs. (16) Howard
Thursday, 2 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: Every 12 months it feels like the lines for 1-16 games really feel too excessive, and but virtually every year, the No. 1 seed proves why it’s deserving of such respect. Last year, KU romped Texas Southern in Round 1 by 27 points as a 21.5-point favourite, and it may do the same right here against Howard regardless of the big quantity. Pick: Kansas -21
Spread
KU -21
HOW +21
KU -21
KU -21
KU -21
HOW +21
Straight up
KU
KU
KU
KU
KU
KU
(1) Alabama vs. (16) Texas A&M-CC
Thursday, 3:17 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: No team this season has been extra totally able to kicking opponents’ tails even in opposition to good competitors than Alabama. The Crimson Tide have the No. 3 scoring margin in college hoops and enter Thursday a 24-point favourite over Texas A&M-CC. It nonetheless feels low. If Alabama can beat Mississippi State by 23 or No. 7 seed Texas A&M by 19, it might easily cowl the 24 points towards the Islanders if they’re up for it. Pick: Alabama -24
Spread
TAMCC +24
TAMCC +24
BAMA -24
BAMA -24
TAMCC +24
BAMA -24
Straight up
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
BAMA
(8) Arkansas vs. (9) Illinois
Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: I really feel like I’m on the proper facet of this one after taking Illinois when it was +3 to open. Arkansas has the talent that is lots appealing — Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr. are potential top-10 picks — but they’ve not clicked for many of the season and enter the NCAA Tournament with virtually no momentum. Illinois has a minimum of flashed at times this season and won in huge video games, and it ought to be up for the task with win-or-go-home stakes. Pick: Illinois +2.5
Spread
ARK -2.5
ARK -2.5
ARK -2.5
ILL +2.5
ILL +2.5
ARK -2.5
Straight up
ARK
ARK
ARK
ILL
ARK
ARK
