NCAA Tournament: Odds and picks for every Friday game

Friday, March 22 NCAA first-round games

9 Northwestern vs. 8 Florida Atlantic
East Region, 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS

FAU just has more threats on offense than a short-handed Northwestern team right now. It just seems like the Wildcats are limping into the tournament (literally and figuratively), so FAU could win with depth.

14 Colgate vs. 3 Baylor
West Region, 12:40 p.m. ET, truTV

Just because this Colgate team is the least likely of the five recent Raiders teams to go dancing to pull off an upset doesn't mean it can't or won't. That's why we play the games!

12 UAB vs. 5 San Diego State
East Region, 1:45 p.m. ET, TNT

With the early tip-off, two poor perimeter jump-shooting teams and the Aztecs likely to control the pace with their experience and discipline, points will be hard to come by.

15 Western Kentucky vs. 2 Marquette
South Region, 2 p.m. ET, TBS

Despite Western Kentucky's resilience and effective shooting, Marquette's superior efficiency on both ends of the court positions it as the likely dominant force in this matchup.

16 Stetson vs. 1 UConn
East Region, 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS

Both teams play at deliberate tempos, but UConn's efficient offense allows it to score more than teams that push the pace. The Huskies could easily crack the 85-point mark against Stetson's dreadful defense. 

11 New Mexico vs. 6 Clemson
West Region, 3:10 p.m. ET, truTV

New Mexico has become a public darling, and this line continues to move in its favor. Now is the time to buy Clemson, which is still a very good basketball team and is now an underdog in this spot.

13 Yale vs. 4 Auburn
East Region, 4:15 p.m. ET, TNT

The Ivy League's penchant for upsets has to be considered, yet it's hard to see a path for Yale to stay competitive for 40 minutes here.

10 Colorado vs. 7 Florida
South Region, 4:30 p.m. ET, TBS

The Buffaloes' shooting efficiency, coupled with their offensive rebounding ability, positions them well. Also, the SEC tends to underperform during the NCAA Tournament.

9 Texas A&M vs. 8 Nebraska
South Region, 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT

The over has hit in each of Texas A&M's last five games. Meanwhile, Nebraska's last three games have gone over. What will happen Friday?

13 Vermont vs. 4 Duke
South Region, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

This one's shaping up to be a big 'ol rock fight in Brooklyn. Do the Catamounts have what it takes to knock off the Blue Devils?

16 Grambling vs. 1 Purdue
Midwest Region, 7:25 p.m. ET, TBS

The Boilermakers have a statement to make after their failures over the last few years. Don't be afraid to lay the big number; Purdue will get the job done.

13 Charleston vs. 4 Alabama
West Region, 7:35 p.m. ET, truTV

We'e starting to believe Alabama is a bit undervalued. We're fully on board with the Crimson Tide being a quick out in the NCAA Tournament, but it shouldn't happen in this game.

16 Longwood vs. 1 Houston
South Region, 9:20 p.m. ET, TNT

Does this game match the recipe for another top seed to fall? If you squint really, really hard, there's something there. Houston's slow pace adds some variance. Longwood can steal some extra possessions with turnovers and putbacks.

12 James Madison vs. 5 Wisconsin
South Region, 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS

We're comfortable snagging the Dukes as two-possession dogs. Wisconsin shouldn't blow JMU out, even if it does win, which is far from certain. James Madison should shoot it early and often from 3.

9 TCU vs. 8 Utah State
Midwest Region, 9:55 p.m. ET, TBS

This is a game that should be closely contested until the final buzzer. The Horned Frogs are not a great 3-point shooting team, so the Aggies' inability to hit shots from deep shouldn't play too much of a factor.  

12 Grand Canyon vs. 5 Saint Mary's
West Region, 10:05 p.m. ET, truTV

This Grand Canyon team shouldn't be slept on, and given the condition of Saint Mary's — shorthanded frontcourt and a snail's pace offensively — possessions will be limited and points could come at a premium.