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March Madness First Four parlay picks and prediction

Offering up four picks and predictions from the March Madness First Four into the NCAA Tournament’s top parlay bet.

The NCAA Tournament usually begins with a full Thursday slate. The adjusted schedule for 2021 kicks the all-Hoosier State affair off with just four games Thursday: the quartet of pre-bracket games known as the First Four. Below, we offer four parlay picks and predictions for Thursday’s First Four of March Madness.

Consider a four-team parlay as an appetizer play before the bracket feast begins. Parlay bets combine the outcome of multiple events to increase the potential payout to bettors.

March Madness First Four parlay picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:10 p.m. ET.

Leg 1: Mount St. Mary’s +1 (-115) vs. Texas Southern (5:10 p.m. ET)

The Texas Southern Tigers come out of a fast-paced Southwest Athletic Conference and haven’t had much experience against the slowdown game played by MSMU. The Mountaineers have had games against teams that force a lot of possessions, and they’ve fared well in those contests.

Look for Mount St. Mary’s rebounding and distance shooting edges to put the Mountaineers over the top.

BACK MOUNT ST. MARY’S +1 (-115).

PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game

Leg 2: Norfolk State +3 (-110) vs. Appalachian State (8:40 p.m. ET)

Norfolk State carries a six-game win streak into its first tournament game since 2012. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions struggle in shooting the ball inside the perimeter, but the Spartans knock down 3s at a hefty clip (36.4%) and get to the free-throw line with great frequency. The triples and singles add up: NSU was second in MEAC scoring, at 75.2 points per game.

Perimeter defense is a blind spot for Appalachian State, and the Spartans are on a solid momentum swing.

TAKE NORFOLK STATE +3 (-110).

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

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Leg 3: Drake -1.5 (-110) vs. Wichita State (6:27 p.m. ET)

The Drake Bulldogs went 25-4 this season, but they’ve lost three times in their last nine games. Drake is a solid team that was undone by some uncanny shooting in two of those losses.

In what figures as a low-scoring game (the Under 141.5 (-110) looks like a solid play), the Bulldogs look to have a shooting edge, especially on the inside. That inside edge includes the almighty offensive rebounding and second-chance put-back game.

BACK DRAKE -1.5 (-110).

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Leg 4: UCLA +2 (-110) vs. Michigan State (9:57 p.m. ET)

The UCLA defense has been on a slide, and that has contributed to UCLA entering this tourney on a four-game losing skid. If only the Bruins could get right against a team struggling on offense.

Enter the Michigan State Spartans stage-right. MSU ranked 13th in Big Ten scoring this winter with 69.0 points per game. By just about any shooting or ballhandling measure, the rank wouldn’t be much kinder.

The Spartans are capable of wild swings from game-to-game. UCLA is the more consistent team, and the Bruins haven’t played that bad during their skid. Getting a full two points here feels like a gift.

TAKE UCLA +2 (-110).

Parlay Payout: Bet $100 to earn a profit of $1,200.83.

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More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Bank on these 3 March Madness Round 1 upsets

Previewing Round 1 of the 2021 March Madness tournament, with picks and predictions for the best upsets to bet.

The 2021 March Madness NCAA Tournament is back, and the field of 64 tips off Friday afternoon in Indiana. Below, we analyze three Round 1 upsets to target on the odds and lines, with March Madness picks and predictions.

It won’t be the same as previous years, but it’s better than the alternative like we saw last year when the tournament was canceled.

Part of the allure for bettors and casual fans alike is the potential for upsets. While I personally do not fill out brackets, I love to bet the games and I’m always looking to mine those money-line gems.

Let’s start small.

3 March Madness Round 1 upsets to bet

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:05 p.m. ET.

11 Utah State (+155) vs. 6 Texas Tech (Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET)

The Aggies racked up 20 victories this season and they head into the NCAA Tournament with six wins over their past seven outings. They came up just short in a 68-57 loss to San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference Final, but they’re a dangerous team with two wins this season against the Aztecs, a fellow MWC team in the NCAA Tournament.

PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game

What makes the Aggies special is their defense. They allowed just 62.9 points per game to rank 24th in the nation, and they were 18th in defensive field-goal percentage at 39.6. If they have an Achilles’ heel, it’s their inability to prevent the 3-pointer, giving up triples at a 34.4% clip to rank 233rd in the country.

Texas Tech wasn’t a good team from behind the arc, so Utah State won’t need to worry too much about that part of the game from the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech was the national runner-up in 2019, falling in overtime in Minneapolis in the last NCAA Tournament game played as Virginia cut down the nets. This version of the team struggles from the floor and is not a good free-throw shooting team. That makes the Aggies a rather attractive play straight up.

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

13 Liberty (+280) vs. 4 Oklahoma State (Friday at 6:25 p.m. ET)

It has been a great year for Liberty athletics. The football team enjoyed its first-ever national ranking at one point, and the basketball team is dancing. It could get even better.

The Flames ranked ninth with a 3-point percentage of 38.8 to tie fellow NCAA Tournament combatant Oral Roberts in that department. Liberty enters on a 12-game win streak starting Jan. 16 at Stetson. Liberty picked up victories on a neutral floor against Mississippi State and South Carolina this season, so it won’t be fazed by the big stage.

The Cowboys of Oklahoma State were so-so defending the three, allowing 32.2% from behind the arc to rank 94th. If Liberty starts canning shots from long distance and OSU tries to keep up, that could be a problem, too. They ranked just 179th in the nation during the regular season on 3-point shooting, and they were just 71.1% from the free-throw line. It doesn’t bode well for Oklahoma State in a close game.

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14 Colgate (+333) vs. 3 Arkansas (Friday at 12:45 p.m. ET)

Fans “brushing up” on Colgate will discover it shot lights out from behind the 3-point line. OK, no more toothpaste jokes, I promise.

The Raiders were second in the nation with 85.7 PPG, they were 11th in field-goal shooting at 49.8% and they hit 38.4% from behind the 3-point line to rank 17th. They’re also a good free-throw shooting team at 75.2% in case it’s a close one.

Defensively, the Raiders allowed just 67.8 PPG, they were 27th in defensive field-goal percentage and they ranked first in the country in allowing just 26.3% from behind the arc. Not since the days of Adonal Foyle have the Raiders entered the NCAA Tournament with such high expectations, even if they are just a 14-seed.

Arkansas resembles the Nolan Richardson days of “40 Minutes of Hell”, as it can run up and down with the best of them, but they’ll have their work cut out trying to solve a strong Colgate interior defense. If Colgate starts hitting long-distance shots, the Razorbacks could be in for a long afternoon.

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More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

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March Madness: Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State odds and lines, with March Madness Round X picks and predictions.

The Norfolk State Spartans (16-7) take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers (17-11) in a West Region First Four game Thursday night. Tip-off will be at 8:40 p.m. ET at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Below, we analyze the Norfolk State-Appalachian State odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Norfolk State carries a six-game win streak into its first tournament game since 2012. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion struggles in shooting the ball inside the perimeter, but the Spartans knock down 3-pointers at a hefty 36.8% clip and get to the free-throw line with great frequency. The triples and singles add up: NSU ranked second in MEAC scoring at 75.2 points per game.

Appalachian State turned around a late-season slide to win four straight games in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Mountaineers scored two overtime wins in that tourney. The winner of Thursday’s NSU-ASU game will advance to take on No. 1 Gonzaga Saturday night.

Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:35 p.m. ET.

Money line: Appalachian State -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Norfolk State +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
Against the spread/ATS: Appalachian State -3 (-110) | Norfolk State +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 133.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Norfolk State 65, Appalachian State 62

Money line (ML)

The Mountaineers have played the tougher schedule this season and they endured a five-game losing streak from Jan. 29-Feb. 23. Since then, ASU has won five of six games; three of those wins were of the OT variety.

The Spartans are much the better 3-point shooting squad and perimeter defense is a blind spot for Appy State. NSU is on a solid momentum swing.

TAKE NORFOLK STATE (+135).

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Against the spread (ATS)

NSU is 8-1 ATS since Jan. 30. That includes a six-game ATS win streak.

TAKE NORFOLK STATE +3 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Spartans have played tremendous defense of late in holding opponents to a 37.8% mark from the floor and forcing 17.0 turnovers per game in six games since Feb. 13. Norfolk has come up with a respectable (and improved) 3.7 blocks per game over that same span. The Under is 4-1 on their last five games with a projected total.

Add in Appalachian State’s slow tempo, and there is value to be leveraged on the UNDER 133.5 (-110).

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March Madness: Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

The Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (12-10) take on the Texas Southern Tigers (16-8) in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday evening. The Mountaineers and Tigers will tip off at 5:10 p.m. ET at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Below, we analyze the Mount St. Mary’s-Texas Southern odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Mount St. Mary’s advanced to the tournament by winning the Northeast Conference Tournament, and the Mountaineers head into Thursday’s game on a four-game win streak. MSMU sports a solid defense, one that has allowed just 62.3 points per game (17th NCAA-I). The Mountaineers are seeking a program-first NCAA tourney win.

Texas Southern is in the tournament for a fifth time since 2015, but the Tigers are making their first trip under HC Johnny Jones. The champions of the Southwest Athletic Conference play a fast-tempo brand of basketball. The Tigers hit the boards hard on the offensive end, frequently get to the foul line, and average a robust 74.8 points per game.

Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Money line: Mount St. Mary’s -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Texas Southern -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Mount St. Mary’s +1 (-115) | Texas Southern -1 (-105)
Over/Under: 133 (O: -110 | U: -110)

PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Mount St. Mary’s 70, Texas Southern 65

Money line (ML)

PASS on the flat-footed pick ’em tags. Mount St. Mary’s is a solid play for the outright win, but take the point as an insurance bonus.

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Against the spread (ATS)

This is a tortoise-and-the-hare match-up with MSMU (slow) and Texas Southern (fast) being near the far ends of the tempo continuum. The Tigers come out of a fast-pace SWAC and haven’t had much experience against the slowdown game. The Mountaineers have had games against teams that force a lot of possessions, and they’ve fared well in those games.

Look for Mount St. Mary’s rebounding and distance shooting edges to put the Mountaineers over the top.

BACK MOUNT ST. MARY’S +1 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams tote Over trends into this contest. But this tag looks accurate. Peg a slight lean on the Over (133, -110), but that’s about it.

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Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Money line: Mount St. Mary’s -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Texas Southern -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Mount St. Mary’s +1 (-115) | Texas Southern -1 (-105)
Over/Under: 133 (O: -110 | U: -110)

PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

Mount St. Mary’s vs. Texas Southern: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Mount St. Mary’s 70, Texas Southern 65

Money line (ML)

PASS on the flat-footed pick ’em tags. Mount St. Mary’s is a solid play for the outright win, but take the point as an insurance bonus.

Play our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Against the spread (ATS)

Look for Mount St. Mary’s rebounding and distance shooting edges to put the Mountaineers over the top.

BACK MOUNT ST. MARY’S +1 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams tote Over trends into this contest. But this tag looks accurate. Peg a slight lean on the Over (133, -110), but that’s about it.

Want some action on this game or others? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Wichita State vs. Drake NCAA Tournament First Four odds, picks and prediction

The Wichita State Shockers (16-5) and the Drake Bulldogs (25-4) meet in the First Four with a place in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 bracket at stake Thursday at Mackey Arena, tipping off at 6:27 PM ET on TBS.

The Wichita State Shockers (16-5) and the Drake Bulldogs (25-4) meet in the First Four with a place in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 bracket at stake on Thursday at Mackey Arena, tipping off at 6:27 PM ET on TBS. Drake is a 1-point favorite in the game.

The Shockers were led by 14 points from Alterique Gilbert in their 60-59 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday. They failed to cover the spread in the contest and the teams combined to fall short of the 142.5-point over/under.

Tremell Murphy led the way for the Bulldogs with a team-high 20 points last time out as they lost to Loyola Chicago 75-65 and failed to cover the 8.5-point spread. The teams combined to hit the over on the 125 point total set for the matchup.

Rankings courtesy of Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Wichita State at Drake: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 1:40 PM ET on March 17, 2021.

Money line: Wichita State -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Drake -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Wichita State +1 (-110) | Drake -1 (-110)
Over/Under: 141 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Wichita State: Three things to know

The Shockers scoring leader is Tyson Etienne, who puts up 17.0 points per game. Etienne is the top three-point shooter for the team, hitting 3.1 per game.
The Shockers record 72.4 points per game, 7.7 more points than the 64.7 the Bulldogs give up.
Wichita State is 15-0 overall and 8-0 against the spread when scoring more than 64.7 points.

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Drake: Three things to know

The Bulldogs scoring leader is Shanquan Hemphill, who contributes 14.1 points per game. D.J. Wilkins is the top three-point shooter for the team, connecting on 2.3 per game.
The Bulldogs score 10 more points per game (77.4) than the Shockers allow (67.4).
Drake has put together an 18-0-1 ATS record and a 24-0 overall record in games where it scores more than 67.4 points.

Wichita State at Drake: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Wichita State 71, Drake 70

Money line

The model has the Wichita State Shockers as the favorite in this game.

Against the spread (ATS)

The line for this game set by MGM and the model’s prediction are essentially the same (within 0.0 points of each other).

Over/Under (O/U)

The MGM total for this game, 141 points, and the model’s projected total, 141.2 points, are only 0.2 points apart.

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