March Madness Betting – Second-Round Predictions/Picks
(Based On our Picks From Our Round 1 Picks Article >>>)
Now that the first round has been primed, previewed and predicted, let’s take a look at the matchups and results for the second round of March Madness betting based on our first-round picks.
CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR EXPERTS PICKS FOR ROUND 2 GAMES —->
2nd Round – Midwest Region
No. 1 Louisville vs No. 9 Siena
Projected sportsbook odds: Louisville -13
A first round win over Ohio State would be a success for Siena but they don’t have what it takes to beat a team like Louisville. Also, Louisville should have an easy time of their first round matchup with Morehead State so they should be fresh for this contest.
Pick: Louisville
No. 4 Wake Forest vs No. 12 Arizona
Projected sportsbook odds: Wake Forest -7
Arizona has the talent to get by in their first round matchup but they will require some serious focus to get past Wake Forest. Arizona has stubbed its toe against premier competition all season long and this game won’t be any different.
Pick: Wake Forest
No. 6 West Virginia vs No. 3 Kansas
Projected sportsbook odds: Kansas -4
The West Virginia Mountaineers have a real chance to crash the Sweet Sixteen party as Kansas is a potentially vulnerable No. 3 seed. Kansas doesn’t have a ton of experience left after most of their Championship-winning roster went to the NBA. The Mountaineers are freshmen based, but they are well-coached by Bob Huggins. Don’t be surprised to see this talented team make a run.
Pick: West Virginia
No. 2 Michigan State vs No. 10 USC
Projected sportsbook odds: Michigan State -9
Pulling an upset in the first sound would be adequate for the USC Trojans to view their season as successful while the Spartans have big plans. The Trojans are a 10-seed for a reason and they simply don’t have the entire package required to take down Michigan State.
Pick: Michigan State
2nd Round – West Region
No. 1 UConn vs No. 9 Texas A&M
Projected sportsbook odds: UConn -9.5
This is a matchup that could easily be BYU versus UConn but focusing on this specific one, UConn is clearly the superior team. Texas A&M did win six straight heading into the Big 12 Tournament but it lost to Texas Tech in the first round. UConn is humming right now and it will take a strong team to knock them off. A&M isn’t that team.
Pick: UConn
No. 5 Purdue vs No. 4 Washington
Projected sportsbook odds: Washington -1
Washington is overrated as No. 4 seed while Purdue is underrated as No. 5 seed. The Huskies had an excellent regular season but the postseason is a different story. Purdue is finally healthy with Robbie Hummel and company clicking. Purdue should ride some hot shooting into the Sweet Sixteen.
Pick: Purdue
No. 11 Utah State vs No. 3 Missouri
Projected sportsbook odds: Missouri -11
The Aggies pulled a nice upset over Marquette in the first round but Missouri is nowhere near as vulnerable. While experience may be an issue for Mizzou, their stellar defense will allow them to stay in games and work those butterflies off. The Big 12 team moves on to the Sweet Sixteen.
Pick: Missouri
No. 10 Maryland vs No. 2 Memphis
Projected sportsbook odds: Memphis -11
The Memphis Tigers are simply too good to lose to Maryland. They are versatile, athletic and deep, which Maryland won’t be able to match. On top of that, the Tigers are a solid defensive team, which has seemingly gone unnoticed. They can still score with ease but now they play well at both ends of the court.
Pick: Memphis
2nd Round – East Region
No. 1 Pittsburgh vs No. 8 Oklahoma State
Projected sportsbook odds: Pittsburgh -8
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have won eight of their last 10 games – and would be at nine of their last 11 if they made this point – but they are a perimeter team. The Panthers have a big beast in the middle in DeJuan Blair and the Cowboys won’t have any answers for that. They are an undersized squad.
Pick: Pittsburgh
No. 12 Wisconsin vs No. 4 Xavier
Projected sportsbook odds: Xavier -6
This is a matchup that should be nip-tuck but Wisconsin could be able to pull another surprise. Xavier doesn’t have great point guards and Wisconsin is a very solid defensive team. If they crank up the pressure, the pipes might burst for Xavier. Wisconsin has won seven of its last 10 and heads into this tournament on a high, which is not how Xavier walks in having lost four of its last nine games.
Pick: Wisconsin
No. 6 UCLA vs No. 3 Villanova
Projected sportsbook odds: Villanova -4
The UCLA Bruins might have a problem if Darren Collison’s tailbone isn’t 100 per cent healed. They might not even be at this point if he’s not healthy. But in a matchup against a superior Big East squad, even if Collison is around, it would be difficult to expect UCLA to advance. They are young and inexperienced, and also played in a much worse conference.
Pick: Villanova
No. 10 Minnesota vs No. 2 Duke
Minnesota will be happy to just be in the second round but Duke is focused to make sure that they at least make the Sweet Sixteen. Both teams are well coached but Duke has been playing well since they shook their lineup. Minnesota won’t make it easy on them, though.
Pick: Duke
2nd Round – South Region
No. 1 North Carolina vs No. 9 Butler
Projected sportsbook odds: North Carolina -14
Butler is actually capable of pulling this upset if Ty Lawson doesn’t play, so keep that in mind. If he does and is completely healthy, Butler will likely keep it close for about a half, but eventually get run off the court. They just can’t match UNC part-for-part.
Pick: North Carolina
No. 12 Western Kentucky vs No. 4 Gonzaga
Projected sportsbook odds: Gonzaga -9
Gonzaga is a fraud but Western Kentucky isn’t a team that is likely to expose them. Gonzaga’s five losses came against Arizona, Memphis, Connecticut, Portland State and Utah, but all of those teams are better than Western Kentucky. Look for the ‘Zags to go one more round before being shown the exit.
Pick: Gonzaga
No. 3 Syracuse vs No. 6 Arizona State
Projected sportsbook odds: Syracuse -2
This will be a great matchup of two of the best individuals in the Tournament: Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn and Arizona State’s James Harden. Syracuse is the more complete team, though, and has more weapons than just Flynn. But the Sun Devils play stellar defense, which is likely to be the difference. Also, at this point, fatigue might be an issue for Syracuse as Arizona State will make this game into a grind.
Pick: Arizona State
No. 7 Clemson vs No. 2 Oklahoma
Projected sportsbook odds: Oklahoma -11.5
The Oklahoma Sooners will get a challenge in this game as Clemson is clearly a step up from Morgan State. The Tigers faltered down the stretch of the season with losses in three of their last four games. Clemson won’t have any answers for Blake Griffin.
Pick: Oklahoma