March Madness First Round: Expert Picks, Schedule, How To Watch & Odds
March Madness has arrived, and the opening round is set to deliver an exhilarating lineup of games packed with surprises, last-second shots, and intense competition. As March Madness First Round action tips off today, both bettors and basketball enthusiasts are excited to finalize their selections and identify the top matchups for wagering.
In the following sections, we will provide the complete schedule for today’s games, expert March Madness First Round picks with detailed analysis, viewing options, and the most recent odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
March Madness First Round Schedule For Today, 3/20
Here’s the complete lineup of the first-round games happening today:
- (8) Louisville vs. (9) Creighton – 12:15 p.m. | CBS
- (4) Purdue vs. (13) High Point – 12:40 p.m. | truTV
- (3) Wisconsin vs. (14) Montana – 1:30 p.m. | TNT
- (1) Houston vs. (16) SIU Edwardsville – 2:00 p.m. | TBS
- (1) Auburn vs. (16) Alabama State – 2:50 p.m. | CBS
- (5) Clemson vs. (12) McNeese – 3:15 p.m. | truTV
- (6) BYU vs. (11) VCU – 4:05 p.m. | TNT
- (8) Gonzaga vs. (9) Georgia – 4:35 p.m. | TBS
- (2) Tennessee vs. (15) Wofford – 6:50 p.m. | TNT
- (7) Kansas vs. (10) Arkansas – 7:10 p.m. | CBS
- (4) Texas A&M vs. (13) Yale – 7:25 p.m. | TBS
- (6) Missouri vs. (11) Drake – 7:35 p.m. | truTV
- (7) UCLA vs. (10) Utah State – 9:25 p.m. | TNT
- (2) St. John's vs. (15) Omaha – 9:45 p.m. | CBS
- (5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego – 10:00 p.m. | TBS
- (3) Texas Tech vs. (14) UNC Wilmington – 10:10 p.m. | truTV
March Madness First Round Expert Picks & Best Bets
VCU vs. BYU Prediction Today, 3/20: March Madness First Round
The 11-seed VCU Rams are entering this game as slight underdogs against the 6-seed BYU Cougars, but there’s a good chance they could pull off an upset.
- Why VCU Has a Chance to Win
VCU is known for its strong defense, ranking 8th in the country for points allowed per game at 62.7. They also limit opponents to a shooting percentage of just 39.4%. This defensive strength will be crucial when facing a high-scoring BYU team that averages 81.4 points per game, which is 26th in the nation.
On the offensive side, the Rams are powered by Max Shulga, who scores 15.5 points per game with a 41.3% shooting rate from three-point range, and Joe Bamisile, who adds 15.3 points per game. Both players have shown they can perform well in crucial situations. If VCU can manage the pace of the game and disrupt BYU’s fast style, they have a good shot at winning.
- BYU’s Weaknesses
Even though BYU has a strong offense, they have trouble at the free-throw line, hitting only 69.4% of their shots, which ranks them 274th in the nation. Their defense is also not very strong, sitting at 127th for points allowed, giving up 70.1 points per game. Against a disciplined team like VCU that forces turnovers and limits second-chance points, BYU might find it hard to score easily.
- Expert March Madness First Round Picks: Rams Money Line (+114 at DraftKings)
With their strong defense and ability to control the game, VCU is a solid underdog in this matchup. Betting on them to win outright at plus money offers great value.
Yale vs. Texas A&M Prediction Today, 3/20: March Madness First Round
Yale enters the tournament as a formidable 13-seed, showcasing one of the top offenses in the nation. They are up against a strong Texas A&M team, but the betting odds offer great potential for the underdog.
- Why Yale Can Succeed
Yale has one of the most effective offenses in the country, ranking 11th in field goal percentage at 49.0% and 10th in three-point percentage at 38.8%. With standout player John Poulakidas (19.2 points per game, 40.9% from three) and versatile forward Nick Townsend (15.4 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 49.1% from three), the Bulldogs can compete in high-scoring games.
On the flip side, Texas A&M is a solid team but has had trouble against efficient offenses. Their defense allows opponents to shoot 40.6% from the field, ranking 29th in the nation, and their perimeter defense is weak, which could be a significant problem against Yale’s strong outside shooting.
- Game Plan & Betting Advantage
Texas A&M will likely focus on being physical and getting to the free-throw line. However, Yale’s efficient shooting and disciplined play style mean they can keep the game competitive.
- Expert March Madness First Round Picks: Bulldogs +7.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
With their ability to shoot three-pointers and their offensive efficiency, Yale should be able to cover the spread, and they might even pull off an upset.
How To Watch 2025 March Madness First Round Games
March Madness games will be shown on various networks, offering fans numerous options to catch the action. Here’s how you can watch today’s games:
- CBS: Check your local CBS stations for game coverage. You can also stream through Paramount+.
- TNT, TBS, truTV: These channels can be accessed via cable or streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.
- March Madness Live: This is the NCAA’s official streaming service, giving you live access to every game.
2025 March Madness First Round Odds & Betting Lines Via DraftKings Sportsbook
Here are the most recent odds for today’s matchups, thanks to DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Louisville (-3.5) vs. Creighton – O/U 145.5
- Purdue (-7.5) vs. High Point – O/U 154.5
- Wisconsin (-16.5) vs. Montana – O/U 152.5
- Houston (-28.5) vs. SIU Edwardsville – O/U 126.5
- Auburn (-32.5) vs. Alabama State – O/U 149.5
- Clemson (-7.5) vs. McNeese – O/U 134.5
- BYU (-1.5) vs. VCU – O/U 147.5
- Gonzaga (-6.5) vs. Georgia – O/U 151.5
- Tennessee (-18.5) vs. Wofford – O/U 133.5
- Kansas (-5.5) vs. Arkansas – O/U 145.5
- Texas A&M (-7.5) vs. Yale – O/U 138.5
- Missouri (-6.5) vs. Drake – O/U 133.5
- UCLA (-5.5) vs. Utah State – O/U 144.5
- St. John's (-18.5) vs. Omaha – O/U 148.5
- Michigan (-2.5) vs. UC San Diego – O/U 142.5
- Texas Tech (-14.5) vs. UNC Wilmington – O/U 143.5
With a lot of exciting games lined up, these March Madness First Round matchups promise to be full of intense moments. Whether you're watching the action or betting on our March Madness First Round picks, this year's tournament is sure to provide some thrilling experiences. Keep your focus and enjoy the games!
Player News
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Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
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Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
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