NCAA First Round Friday Picks

Once again, lines are provided by PinnacleSports.com “for entertainment purposes only.”

Tennessee (-19) vs. American: Tennessee is not Duke. American is not Belmont. No close call in this one. Tennessee 88, American 61.

Gonzaga (+1.5) vs. Davidson: Pretty funny that Gonzaga gets a high seed but they’re still the underdogs in Vegas and most of America. I picked Davidson in all my brackets, but the more I think about it the more I like the Zags. Hardest game to pick in the entire first round. Davidson 57, Gonzaga 55.

Drake (-4) vs. Western Kentucky: Drake should win easily, but it scares me that they’re walking in completely untested as far as tournament experience. Western Kentucky already has really not beaten anyone of note all season. Drake 84, Western Kentucky 78.

Miami (+1) vs. St. Mary’s: Duke was just the first in a string of unimpressive showings by the ACC. St. Mary’s 85, Miami 74.

Butler (-4.5) vs. South Alabama: I think South Alabama was one of the most undeserving at-large bids, I’m surprised this wasn’t brought up more. Only RPI Top 50 games were Western Kentucky, who I’ve already called out, and a December win at home against Mississippi State. Plus they bowed out of their conference tournament way too early. I don’t understand what was so outstanding on their resume. The Horizon is a better conference top to bottom than the Sun Belt. Butler got screwed on seeding. Butler 86, South Alabama 63.

Georgetown(-16.5) vs. UMBC: Who let the dogs out? That seems like a lot to ask Georgetown to cover a 16.5 with their deliberate offense. Georgetown 67, UMBC 55.

Connecticut (-11.5) vs. San Diego: Stay classy, San Diego. This one will be a lot better game than most people think. Connecticut 71, San Diego 64.

Texas (-15.5) vs. Austin Peay: I watched their conference championship, and I put Austin Peay in my back pocket as a team to watch for a possible first-round upset. But then they drew Texas. Texas 85, Austin Peay 66.

North Carolina (-25) vs. Mount St. Mary’s: There will be no comeback Mounted. UNC 79, Mount 50.

Oklahoma (-1) vs. St. Joseph’s: St. Joe’s is another team that I’m ready to get over hearing about. They made a nice conference tourney run, but prior to that they lost 6 of their last 9 regular season games, three of those at home. And they haven’t faced a player like Blake Griffin all year in the A-10. Oklahoma 68, St. Joseph’s 54.

Vanderbilt (-6.5) vs. Siena: Siena was another low-major I thought could give somebody fits, but I think people don’t realize how good Vandy really is. Vandy 76, Siena 65.

Mississippi State (-2.5) vs. Oregon: This is a tough one to pick, I guess that’s the way the 8-9 game should be. I like both team’s game a lot. Jamont Gordon is the best player under the radar maybe in all of college basketball. Oregon is entertaining to watch, but to win in the tournament you have to play some defense at some point. MSU 77, Oregon 74.

Indiana (-2) vs. Arkansas: Screw you, Dan Dakich. Arkansas 67, Indiana 60.

Louisville (-13.5) vs. Boise State: Remember the 2004 Liberty Bowl? Lots of offense in that game. Not quite so much in this one. Louisville 66, Boise State 50.

Clemson (-5.5) vs. Villanova: Keep picking the 12-5 upset and eventually it will happen, right? Villanova 65, Clemson 58.

Memphis (-25) vs. UT Arlington: Calipari will love running up the score for this one. Memphis 106, UT Arlington 62.

Tags: Bracket, First Round, March Madness, NCAA tournament, Predictions