March Madness Women’s NCAA Tournament contest

March Madness: Championship Game strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: National Championship Game pick and prediction.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament wraps up Sunday at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Only 53 entries in USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 3,754 who signed up.

The tournament favorite South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) meet the Iowa Hawkeyes (34-4) for all the marbles in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Championship Game Sunday at 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).

On Friday, No. 1 overall seed South Carolina took care of NC State 78-59 with C Kamilla Cardoso going for 22 points with 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. The superstar center was a very efficient 10-for-12 from the field, and she was one of three South Carolina players to go for double-digit points.

Gamecocks G Raven Johnson added 13 points, with most of her damage coming on 3 triples, while G Te-Hina Paopao was good for 10 points, 6 assists and a steal, while knocking down a pair of 3-pointers.

South Carolina shot 50.0% (30-for-60) from the field, including 42.1% (8-for-19) from behind the 3-point line. It managed to get to the free-throw line just 4 times, but it converted 4 shots.

Iowa advanced to the title game for the 2nd consecutive season, easing by UConn 71-69. With 10 seconds to go, the Huskies trailed 70-69 and had the ball, but a controversial offensive foul on F Aaliyah Edwards against G Gabbie Marshall gave the Hawkeyes the ball back with 3.9 seconds to go. G Caitlin Clark was fouled with 3.5 seconds left, hit the 1st free throw and missed the 2nd, but G Sydney Affolter came down with the offensive board and Iowa hung on for the 2-point win.

The Hawkeyes were just 45.8% (27-for-59) from the floor, while going 28.0% (7-for-25) from behind the 3-point line and 71.4% (10-for-14) from the charity stripe. Clark didn’t have her best game but finished with 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting, while going 3-for-11 from downtown. F Hannah Stuelke actually led the Hawkeyes with a game-high 23 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting performance.

South Carolina is No. 1 and Iowa is No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

As for the USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest, I had 3 correct picks in the opening round for 12 points but stumbled in the 2nd round and was eliminated when 4th-seeded Kansas State lost to 5th-seeded Colorado. Another 4-seed, Indiana, won for me that round, but the KSU pick did me in.

Despite the loss, I still offered picks in an attempt to help you in your chase for the $2.5K 1st-place prize. Only having to make 1 pick the remaining rounds, rebounded with LSU (3 points) in the Sweet 16 upsetting UCLA in a 78-69 thriller. In the Elite 8, I won with UConn (3 points) against USC. And I won with Iowa (1 point) in the Friday’s semifinal.

As an employee, I wasn’t eligible to win this contest, but there was no rule against me helping you.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick the National Championship Game winner — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds.

Here is my strategy of which team to pick for Sunday’s championship.

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National Championship Game pick

PICK: SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

I intentionally held off from selecting South Carolina in the earlier rounds in the event it managed to avoid the upset and get to the title game. The strategy worked — excluding my darn K-State pick in the 2nd round.

After selecting Iowa in the Final Four, I didn’t have any other choice for the this round anyway.

Clark and the Hawkeyes are back in the National Championship Game for the 2nd consecutive season.

Unfortunately for them, coach Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are on a mission, will finish 38-0 and grab the title as Iowa will once again be the bridesmaid — the Hawkeyes lost to LSU in last year’s title game.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
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College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School

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March Madness: Final Four strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Final Four pick and prediction.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament is on to the Final Four, starting Friday from Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Only 88 entries in USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 3,754 who signed up.

The semifinals are Friday on ESPN with the winners facing off in Sunday’s championship at 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).

NC State (31-6) meets tournament favorite South Carolina (36-0) in the early-window game at 7 p.m. ET. The nightcap will feature UConn (33-5) and G Paige Bueckers against Iowa (33-4) and G Caitlin Clark at an approximate tip time of 9 p.m. ET.

Monday night was one for the ages, as all eyes were on women’s basketball, especially for the battle between LSU and Iowa. Clark was on another plane, draining 9 3-pointers in an amazing shooting performance, as she continues to re-write the record books. Clark ended up with 41 points in 40 minutes, while also doling out 12 assists with 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot as the Hawkeyes eliminated the defending champion Tigers 94-87.

Clark and the Hawkeyes will have their hands full with Bueckers and the Huskies, who showed freshman phenom G Juju Watkins and USC, the No. 1 seed in their region, the door in an exciting Elite 8 matchup.

As for the USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest, I made 3 correct picks in the 1st round for 12 points but stumbled in the 2nd round and was eliminated. No. 4 seed Indiana won for me, but my other pick of 4th-seeded Kansas State lost to 5th-seeded Colorado.

Despite the loss, I still offered picks for the Sweet 16, hoping to assist you on your chase for the $2.5K 1st-place prize. Only having to make 1 pick this round, I rebounded with LSU (3 points) upsetting UCLA Saturday in a 78-69 thriller. For what it’s worth, I won with UConn (3 points) in the Elite 8 against USC.

As an employee, I wasn’t eligible to win this contest, but there’s no rule against me helping you.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick 1 team in the Final Four and then the National Championship Game winner — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds.

Here is my strategy of which team to pick for the Final Four.

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Final Four pick

PICK 1: IOWA HAWKEYES (33-4)

Who they play: UConn Huskies (33-5)

When: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

I’ve already picked NC State and UConn in this Tournament, so I am left with just 2 top seeds. There just aren’t a lot of points available in the Final Four. If you need points, you might want to roll the dice on a No. 3 seed if you haven’t picked that team yet.

Iowa-UConn is going to be a fun game. Clark vs. Bueckers will get all of the headlines, but here’s UConn coach Geno Auriemma leading another team to the precipice of a national title, while the Hawkeyes are trying to get back to the championship game — they lost to LSU in the title game a year ago.

UConn was impressive against USC, shooting 48.3% (28-of-58) from the field, including 46.7% (7-of-15) from behind the 3-point line in an 80-73 victory.

If there is an Achilles’ heel, the Huskies managed to go just 63.0% (17-of-27) from the free-throw line, and that simply won’t do in a close game. Plus, UConn was minus-2 in the turnover department, but made up for it by outrebounding USC 42-41, while dishing out 7 more assists to improve to assist-to-turnover ratio.

Along with Clark scoring 41 against LSU, the Hawkeyes were 46.4% (32-of-69) from the field, hitting 41.9% (13-of-31) from behind the 3-point line. G Sydney Affolter hit a pair of triples, and ended up with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while G Kate Martin was good for 21 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals and a perfect 4-of-4 night from the free-throw line.

Friday against UConn won’t be easy for Iowa, but the Hawkeyes should get back to the title game, setting up a potential classic against South Carolina — as long as the Gamecocks remain undefeated and push past upstart NC State.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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March Madness: Elite 8 strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Elite 8 pick and prediction.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament moves on to the Elite 8, starting Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Only 284 entries in USA TODAY’s NCAA Women’s Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 3,754 who signed up.

Sunday, we have No. 1 seed South Carolina (35-0) facing No. 3 seed Oregon State (27-7) in Albany, while No. 1 seed Texas (33-4) meets No. 3 seed NC State (30-6) in Portland.

Monday, we have a couple of amazing bouts on tap. No. 3 seed LSU (31-5) and No. 1 seed Iowa (32-4) will battle in Albany in a national championship rematch, for a trip to the Final 4 this time around. It’s F Angel Reese and the defending champion Tigers against record-setter G Caitlin Clark and her Hawkeyes in one of the most anticipated games this season.

But don’t sleep on Monday’s nightcap from Portland when G Paige Bueckers and No. 3 seed UConn face freshman phenom G Juju Watkins and top-seeded USC in the final Elite 8 game of the round.

After getting through the 1st round with 3 correct picks for 12 points, I stumbled in the 2nd round and was eliminated. While No. 4 seed Indiana won for me, I was eliminated when 4th-seeded Kansas State lost to No. 5 seed Colorado.

Even though I was done, I still offered out picks for the Sweet 16, hoping to help you. Only having to make 1 pick this round, I rebounded with LSU topping 2nd-seeded UCLA in Albany Saturday in a 78-69 thriller.

As an employee, I wasn’t eligible to win this contest, but there’s no rule against me helping you win $2.5K.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick 1 team in Elite 8, 1 team in the Final Four and then the National Championship Game winner — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds.

Here is my strategy of which team to pick for the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Survivor Pool in the Elite 8 round.

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Elite 8 pick

PICK 1: UCONN HUSKIES (32-5)

Who they play: USC Trojans (29-5)

When: Monday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where: Moda Center, Portland

The Huskies are ranked No. 7 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, while the Trojans are No. 3.

USC narrowly escaped an upset in the Sweet 16, edging 5th-seeded Baylor 74-70 in a physical battle. The good news is that the Trojans held the Bears to 38.6% (27-of-70) shooting from the field, but that bad news is that USC wasn’t much better at 39.4% (29-of-66) on its field-goal percentage. USC turned it over 9 times, too, while managing just 11 assists and 2 steals, to 17 dimes and 5 steals for Baylor. Still, the Trojans managed to get the job done.

Watkins misfired on 20 of her 28 field-goal attempts, including a dismal 2-of-11 from behind the 3-point line. Still, she managed to get to the free-throw line 13 times, knocking down 12 of her attempts. It was one of the strangest 30-point night you’ll ever see. She finished with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocked shots, too.

USC will have its hands full with Bueckers. The Huskies eased by 7th-seeded Duke 53-45 in a defensive battle. Bueckers was 9-of-21 from the field, posting 24 points with 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots and an assist, while knocking down a pair of 3-pointers. F Aaliyah Edwards was tremendously efficient, too, hitting 6-of-7 from the field, ending up with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a complementary role.

Coach Geno Auriemma is one of the game’s greats, and Bueckers and Edwards are outstanding options to confuse Watkins, who is on this stage for the first time. All 4 of the games in the Elite 8 are No. 3 vs. No. 1 seeds. The Huskies are your best bet to pull the upset, with NC State a close 2nd if you’ve yet to use them (I have).

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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March Madness: Sweet 16 strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Sweet 16 pick and prediction.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament heads to the Sweet 16, starting Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Only 491 entries in USA TODAY’s NCAA Women’s Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 3,754 who signed up.

We’ll bid adieu to 8 more teams the next 2 days, too, as we head into the Elite 8. While things haven’t quite been as topsy-turvy as the men’s bracket, we’ve had our moments, especially with 7th-seeded Duke dumping No. 2 seed Ohio State.

After getting through the 1st round with 3 correct picks for 12 points, I stumbled in the 2nd round and was eliminated. No. 4 seed Indiana helped me out, but 4th-seeded Kansas State lost to 5th-seed Colorado, bumping me out of the pool.

As an employee, I wasn’t eligible to win anyway, but there’s no rule against me helping you win $2.5K.

Here is my strategy of which team to pick for the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Survivor Pool in the Sweet 16 round.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick 1 team in the Sweet 16, 1 in the Elite 8, 1 in the Final Four and then the National Championship Game winner — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds.

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Sweet 16 pick

PICK 1: LSU TIGERS (30-5)

Who they play: UCLA Bruins (27-6)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)

Where: MVP Arena, Albany, N.Y.

The 3rd-seeded and defending champion Tigers have had a bit of a rocky road to get to the Sweet 16. Coach Kim Mulkey is battling the media, F Angel Reese continues to get into hot water with on-court antics, and the Tigers just haven’t played great in the 2 games.

LSU was very sluggish against 14th-seeded Rice in the 1st round, winning just 70-60. While the Tigers pulled away to win 83-56 against No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee in the 2nd round, LSU found itself down 36-32 at halftime before the alarm clock went off.

Still, LSU, No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, faces No. 8 UCLA in a clash of titans. The Tigers were seemingly unseeded on the 3 line, but the way they have played, perhaps not. The Bruins roughed up No. 15 seed Cal Baptist in the 1st round by an 84-55 score, while easing by 7th-seeded Creighton 67-63 in a game too close for comfort.

UCLA shot just 43.9% (25 of 57) from the field, while going a dismal 26.3% (5 of 19) from behind the 3-point line and turning it over 13 times against Creighton. If UCLA plays like that against LSU, it’s going to be lights out for the Bruins against a team with championship mettle like the Tigers.

Despite all of the distractions for LSU, I feel the best is yet to come for this team. It’s too talented to go home at this juncture.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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March Madness: Second-round strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Second-round picks and predictions

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament moves to the 2nd round, paring down from 64 teams to just 32. The madness has been a little less crazy than the men’s tournament, but we’ve had some craziness. In fact, out of 3,750 entries, only 2,371 remain alive heading into the Round of 32.

We had just one major upset, as No. 6 seed Louisville was dismissed by No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee. That was the only lower seed to win outright in the 1st round, however.

My 1st-round column picks, Virginia Tech, Colorado and NC State each advanced. In Friday’s action, the Hokies pounded Marshall 92-49, while Colorado got the job done in a high-scoring affair, winning 86-72 over Drake. Then on Saturday, the Wolfpack rolled 14-seed Chattanooga, 64-45.

As an employee, I’m not eligible to win, but there’s no rule against me helping you win $2.5K.

Here is my strategy of how to win the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Survivor Pool.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick 2 teams to win outright in the 2nd round — no spread involved. Once you pick a team, it can’t be used again, similar to an NFL survivor pool.

After the 2nd round, the rules require 1 pick per round — 1 in the Sweet 16, 1 in the Elite 8, 1 in the Final Four and then picking the winner of the National Championship Game — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Along with not being able to choose the same team twice, the other tricky rule is that points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds. At this point, there are still a lot of points available in the 2nd round and beyond.

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Second-round picks

PICK 1: KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (26-7)

Who they play: Colorado Buffaloes (23-9)

When: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.

The 4th-seeded Wildcats are looking to protect their home court against the 5th-seeded Buffaloes.

Kansas State, No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, went 16-1 at home this season. The only setback came against fellow NCAA Tournament team Iowa State in a Big 12 tilt Feb. 28. K-State advance to the 2nd round by powering past 13th-seeded Portland 78-65 Friday.

Colorado is No. 17 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, right behind K-State. It polished off 12th-seeded Drake 86-72 in the 1st round Friday at Bramlage. The Buffaloes were a rather ordinary 7-4 in 11 road games this season.

The Wildcats lean upon C Ayoka Lee to get the job done on offense. She went for 21 points against Portland, while G Gabby Gregory scored a game-high 22 points. K-State is very efficient from the field, especially inside the paint, and they were very good in the assist-to-turnover ratio department this season. Plus, K-State relies upon a suffocating defense, using a tenacious style to get into the face of opposing shooters on a constant basis.

The Buffaloes made instant headlines upsetting defending champion LSU to open the season. Colorado scores the basketball frequently, with C Aaronette Vonleh leading the charge at 14.2 points per game. Like K-State, Colorado is strong in the assist-to-turnover department. As you would expect in a 4 vs. 5 game, this will be a tight one with the Wildcats expected to protect its home floor.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

PICK 2: INDIANA HOOSIERS (25-5)

Who they play: Oklahoma Sooners (23-9)

When: Monday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Where: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.

The 4th-seed Hoosiers had to face the 13th-seeded Fairfield Stags in the opening round. Fairfield entered 31-1, with its single loss coming in November at Vanderbilt by just 3 points. The Stags entered on a 29-game win streak. The Hoosiers weren’t impressed.

Indiana routed Fairfield 89-56 Saturday, shooting an impressive 50.8% (31-for-61) from the field, while going 77.3% (17-for-22) from the free-throw line. IU was dominant in rebounding, too, racking up 45 boards, to just 29 for the smallish Stags of the MAAC.

The 5th-seeded Sooners escaped No. 12 seed Florida Gulf Coast with a 73-70 win. F Skylar Vann led the way for Oklahoma, tallying a game-high 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting, while adding 3 boards, an assist, a steal and a blocked shot in 34 minutes.

OU was able to hit 44.6% (25-for-56) from the field, while struggling from behind the 3-point line at 33.3% (6-for-18). Oklahoma was also outrebounded 35-34, while turning it over 13 times. It will need to clean things up if it wants to continue its season. Indiana looked awfully tough against Fairfield, and it’s the play on its home court.

All right. Let’s get these 2 wins, rack up a few points and then make sure to check back before Round 3 for our next winning picks.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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March Madness: How to win $2.5K in USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Let the March Madness begin. College hoops expert Kevin Erickson is here to help you win the $2.5K NCAA Women’s Tournament Survivor Pool.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament is here, and the field of 64 will be cut in half with 1st-round games Friday and Saturday as the top 16 seeds will host games during opening weekend.

You might have already filled out your brackets, but USA TODAY has another unique NCAA Tournament contest in which you can win $2,500.

Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $2,500 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!

As an employee, I’m not eligible to win, but there’s no rule against me helping you win $2.5K.

Here is my strategy of how to win the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament Survivor Pool.

Each round, you’ll pick a set number of teams. For the 1st round, you have to pick 3 teams to simply win their games — no spread involved. If one of your teams loses, you’re eliminated. However, once you select a team, similar to an NFL survivor pool, you can’t use that team again.

In the 2nd round, you must pick 2 teams to win outright. After that, you have to pick 1 team per round — in the Sweet 16, the Elite 8, the Final Four and the championship game.

Another tricky rule is that you earn points based on the seed number of your winning team. Successfully pick a No. 12 seed to knock off a 5 seed, and you get 12 points. Pick a No. 1 seed and you only get 1 point if it wins.

Starting with the 1st round, I’m not going to worry about points. My goal is to survive and advance. There are often too many upsets and I’m not going to take that risk of getting knocked out on Day 1.

Let’s treat this as a short marathon, not a 60-yard dash. We’ll earn our points in the later rounds.

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First-round picks

PICK 1: VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (24-7)

Who they play: Marshall Thundering Herd (26-6)

When: Friday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.

The 4th-seeded Hokies are a strong play on their home court against the 13th-seeded Thundering Herd.

Virginia Tech, No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, won all 15 games on its home court this season, while Marshall posted a 12-5 road mark. The Sun Belt representative will be facing its 2nd ACC team this season. Back on Dec. 21, Marshall suffered a 66-59 loss at Wake Forest, and you can expect a double-digit loss in this one.

The Thundering Herd has a 3 tremendous offensive weapons with guards Abby Beeman (16.8 points per game), Breanna Campbell (15.0 PPG) and Aislynn Hayes (14.8 PPG). The trio can hang with most anybody. Plus, Marshall creates plenty of offensive boards to get 2nd and 3rd opportunities on offense. However, the Herd are pretty poor in the free-throw department — ranking 301st at 67.1%, per NCAA.com — and in close games, it can be their undoing.

Virginia Tech is an elite team led by C Elizabeth Kitley (22.8 PPG, 11.4 RPG) and G Georgia Amoore (19.2 PPG, 6.9 APG). They are one of the best one-two punches in the nation. Kitley missed the ACC Tournament due to a left knee injury, so that’s a bit of a concern heading into the Big Dance. But this team ranks 17th in assist-to-turnover rate (1.33) and 9th in blocks (5.5 per game) in playing suffocating defense. If it is down Kitley, the Hokies are still the play.

THE BRACKETS ARE BACK! The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back! $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket, $25,000 prize for top bracket. Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!

PICK 2: COLORADO BUFFALOES (22-9)

Who they play: Drake Bulldogs (29-5)

When: Friday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNews)

Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.

This is a dangerous matchup for the Buffaloes as this might seem like a road game as the Bulldogs faithful should travel well since it’s a short jaunt from Des Moines to Kansas.

Drake can score at a feverish pace, with G Katie Dinnebier (17.9 PPG), F Grace Berg (17.0 PPG) and F Anna Miller (13.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG) serving as a talented 3-headed offensive monster. The Bulldogs feature one of the best field-goal percentages at 48.7%, ranking 7th in the nation. Plus, they are good free-throw shooting team (77.4% to rank 24th), which is good news in close games.

Colorado is ranked No. 17 in the Coaches Poll, yet scored just a No. 5 seed, which seems criminally low. The Buffaloes roared into the season with an opening 92-78 win over defending national champ LSU on a neutral floor in Las Vegas, announcing to everyone their arrival. They also scored wins over ranked teams Stanford, No. 1 seed USC and Utah.

The Buffs can score, especially C Aaronette Vonleh (14.1 PPG) — the younger sister of former NBA player and Indiana Hoosiers standout Noah Vonleh. CU struggles on free throws (72.8%, ranking 123rd), but it’s a good team taking care of the ball, while ranking highly in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.36, ranking 13th).

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

PICK 3: NC STATE WOLFPACK (27-6)

Who they play: Chattanooga Mocs (28-4)

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Where: Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, N.C.

The 14th-seed Mocs of the SoCon have to play this one on the home court of the 3rd-seeded Wolfpack, who are No. 11 in the Coaches Poll.

Chattanooga announced its arrival with a win over a ranked Mississippi State team back in early December, bolstering the team’s NCAA Tournament resume early. The Mocs ended up winning the SoCon regular season and the conference tournament to earn their Big Dance ticket.

The Mocs are led by G Jada Guinn (19.7 PPG) and F Raven Thompson (14.3 PPG) and this squad can be a dangerous shooting team, particularly behind the 3-point line where they converted 37.5% of their attempts to rank 9th in the country. However, expect a lack of size to be their undoing.

NC State is outstanding all around with G Aziaha James (15.8 PPG), G Saniya Rivers (12.4 PPG), F Mimi Collins (11.2 PPG) and G Madison Hayes (11.1 PPG) giving the Pack a very balanced attack. NC State doesn’t make a lot of silly miscues — only 13.3 turnovers per game — and will have a tremendous advantage with its size, particularly in the rebounding department. NC State also has a lockdown defense — holding opponents to 59.9 PPG — which will make it awfully tough for Chattanooga to get good looks offensively.

All right. Let’s get these 3 wins, rack up a few points and then make sure to check back before Round 2 for our next winning picks. Play now!

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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