Picks for Best Games on Saturday, March 16th
It is Championship Saturday, meaning there will plenty of great games taking place throughout the day to watch. A lot of NCAA Tournament bids are up for grabs in smaller conferences, while the big conferences unleash a great night of Championship games as well. I also should mention that there are some decent non-Championship games taking place as well. I have against the spread picks for all of today’s best games.
UMBC vs. Vermont
11 AM ET on ESPN2
Line: Vermont -10.5
Pick: UMBC
Against the Spread: UMBC
Final Score Prediction: UMBC 65 Vermont 63
Why this pick? This game will be close throughout and I will pick the Retrievers to pull off the upset.
Wisconsin vs. Michigan State
1 PM ET on CBS
Line: Michigan State -5.5
Pick: Michigan State
Against the Spread: Michigan State
Final Score Prediction: Michigan State 78 Wisconsin 68
Why this pick? The Spartans probably will win this game by 10 like they usually do.
Florida vs. Auburn
1 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Auburn -3
Pick: Auburn
Against the Spread: Auburn
Final Score Prediction: Auburn 74 Florida 68
Why this pick? I think the Tigers are the better team, I’ll pick them to win by more than three.
North Carolina Central vs. Norfolk State
1 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Norfolk State -5
Pick: Norfolk State
Against the Spread: Norfolk State
Final Score Prediction: Norfolk State 76 North Carolina Central 65
Why this pick? This is a scenario in which I see the one seed bringing out their best performance in a Championship game.
Memphis vs. Houston
3 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Houston -8
Pick: Houston
Against the Spread: Memphis
Final Score Prediction: Houston 71 Memphis 68
Why this pick? This game will come down to the wire, I’ll take Houston to win but the pro-Memphis crowd keeps it close.M
Tennessee vs. Kentucky
3:30 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Kentucky -1
Pick: Kentucky
Against the Spread: Kentucky
Final Score Prediction: Kentucky 73 Tennessee 68
Why this pick? The Wildcats struggled without Reid Travis but with him back in the lineup I like the Wildcats to win this one.
Kansas vs. Iowa State
6 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Kansas -1.5
Pick: Kansas
Against the Spread: Kansas
Final Score Prediction: Kansas 72 Iowa State 67
Why this pick? It would only be fitting that the Jayhawks win the Big 12 Tournament after not winning the regular season title.
San Diego State vs. Utah State
6 PM ET on CBS
Line: Utah State -6
Pick: Utah State
Against the Spread: Utah State
Final Score Prediction: Utah State 76 San Diego State 67
Why this pick? The Aggies have been the best team in the Conference all year long, they win this handily.
Texas Southern vs. Prairie View A&M
6 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: Texas Southern -1
Pick: Texas Southern
Against the Spread: Texas Southern
Final Score Prediction: Texas Southern 76 Prairie View A&M 65
Why this pick? Texas Southern always wins this conference, it won’t change in this one.
Seton Hall vs. Villanova
6:30 PM ET on FOX
Line: Villanova -4
Pick: Seton Hall
Against the Spread: Seton Hall
Final Score Prediction: Seton Hall 76 Villanova 74
Why this pick? I’ve been backing Seton Hall since this tournament began, I’ll take the Pirates in this game.
Bowling Green vs. Buffalo
7:30 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Buffalo -10.5
Pick: Buffalo
Against the Spread: Buffalo
Final Score Prediction: Buffalo 77 Bowling Green 69
Why this pick? Buffalo wins another close game in this one to win the MAC auto bid.
Eastern Washington vs. Montana
8 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: Montana -6
Pick: Montana
Against the Spread: Montana
Final Score Prediction: Montana 76 Eastern Washington 67
Why this pick? The Grizzlies will repeat and win the Big Sky.
Florida State vs. Duke
8:30 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Duke -8
Pick: Duke
Against the Spread: Duke
Final Score Prediction: Duke 78 Florida State 67
Why this pick? I think Florida State used their best performance yesterday, this will be a letdown game for them.
Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion
8:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network
Line: Western Kentucky -1
Pick: Western Kentucky
Against the Spread: Western Kentucky
Final Score Prediction: Western Kentucky 76 Old Dominion 71
Why this pick? The Hiltoppers have more talent, that will play out in this game.
New Orleans vs. Abilene Christian
9:30 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Abilene Christian -5
Pick: Abilene Christian
Against the Spread: Abilene Christian
Final Score Prediction: Abilene Christian 84 New Orleans 75
Why this pick? Abilene Christian has been the better team throughout the season, I’ll take them over a New Orleans team that just pulled off an upset.
Grand Canyon vs. New Mexico State
10 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: New Mexico State -3.5
Pick: New Mexico State
Against the Spread: New Mexico State
Final Score Prediction: New Mexico State 72 Grand Canyon 62
Why this pick? The Aggies always seem to win the WAC, that shouldn’t change tonight.
Washington vs. Oregon
10:30 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Oregon -1.5
Pick: Oregon
Against the Spread: Oregon
Final Score Prediction: Oregon 65 Washington 68
Why this pick? The Ducks won at Washington about a week ago, same result holds in this one.
Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Irvine
Midnight ET on ESPN2
Line: UC Irvine -9.5
Pick: UC Irvine
Against the Spread: Cal State Fullerton
Final Score Prediction: UC Irvine 76 Cal State Fullerton 73
Why this pick? UC Irvine has been really good all year but asking any team to win by 10 in a Championship is hard to do.
Yesterday’s Picks: 8-6
Year to date: 389-326–17