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March Madness is the greatest time of year in sports. Nothing is better than watching games at work, as others pretend to work while doing the same. The only thing better? Making money while doing so.
After looking at the Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is a can’t-miss first-round parlay among our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The first round is always exciting with upsets combined with blowouts. But which ones can we choose to make a winning parlay? This is what we are going to answer here. Let’s find those winners.
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NCAA Tournament first-round parlay
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:08 a.m. ET. All games times ET.
Leg 1: Missouri vs. Utah State OVER 155.5 (-105) – Thursday, 1:40 p.m.
Utah State averages 79.4 points per game on offense and the Missouri defense allows 74.8 PPG (310th in the nation). The Tigers allow opponents to 35.5% from 3-point range and the Aggies shooting 40%, good for 4th in the nation.
Missouri is also a capable offense averaging 80.1 points per game. Although the Tigers do not find the net as often when shooting the 3-point shot, averaging 36.2%, they also rely heavily on the shot.
This game will provide plenty of excitement and could be the highest-scoring game of the opening round. OVER 155.5 (-105) is a great way to start off the parlay.
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Leg 2: CHARLESTON +5.5 (-115) vs. San Diego State – Friday, 3:10 p.m.
This is a popular upset pick in the first round. Charleston can run up and down the floor and has solid perimeter shooters while San Diego State can slow the game down with the best of them. The contrast in style will lead to a confusing game for both sides. But it will also lead to a close contest.
The Aztecs have a solid defense and the ability to shut down opponents which leads a lot of close games. With the ability of the Cougars to score, this will also help the game remain within single digits. This is a game that will not get out of hand and where 5.5 points is too much to wager.
The Aztecs may gain the 1st win for a Mountain West Conference team in the tournament since 2018, but it will not be covering the spread when it does so. Take the COUGARS +5.5 (-115) to cover for the 2nd leg of our parlay.
Leg 3: Houston vs. Northern Kentucky UNDER 122.5 (-115) – Thursday, 9:20 p.m.
Houston, with Marcus Sasser, has one of the best defenses in America. Ranking 2nd in the nation allowing only 56.5 points per game, the Cougars’ defense will be able to swallow up and spit out a Norse offense which ranks just 285th at 67.8 PPG.
Even if Sasser is held out of this game, the Houston offense will be able to control the pace and the Norse will provide no viable challenge to Houston.
The 122.5 is extremely low for any game. But with the elite Houston defense going up against an outmatched Northern Kentucky squad, there is a solid chance this game barely sniffs 100.
Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $58.24 (ticket pays $68.24).
Try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator.
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