Ricky Dimon
There has never been a perfect March Madness bracket, and – let’s be honest – there’s never going to be. However, going 16 for 16 on the first day of the NCAA Tournament certainly isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
That’s what we are going for in this piece. It’s a 16-team March Madness money line parlay as we hope to start the Big Dance in a bigger-than-big way. Also, get ready for the madness with our expert’s NCAA Tournament winner predictions, including a +6000 longshot! Plus, don’t miss our comprehensive March Madness 68-team bracket guide, featuring analysis of EVERY team in the tournament!
Louisville Cardinals over Creighton Bluejays (-142)
This should be a good one to begin the tournament. Louisville is one of the few legit ACC teams.
Read our full Louisville vs Creighton prediction
Purdue Boilermakers over High Point Panthers (-350)
A lot of people like High Point, but this is a game you can kind of steal against everyone backing the underdog.
Read our full High Point vs Purdue prediction
Wisconsin Badgers over Montana Grizzlies (-2100)
Wisconsin won’t worry about a loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament final, but a win over Michigan State in the semis was impressive.
Read our full Montana vs Wisconsin prediction
Houston Cougars over SIUE Cougars (-20000)
We have actually seen 2 upsets of 16s over 1s, both in the relatively recent past. I highly doubt Houston will be added to the list.
Read our full SIU Edwardsville vs Houston prediction
Auburn Tigers over Alabama State Hornets (-8000)
And neither will the Tigers. Auburn vs Alabama would be fun. Auburn vs Alabama State? Not so much.
Read our full Alabama State vs Auburn prediction
Clemson Tigers over McNeese Cowboys (-315)
This is another matchup in which the underdog is generating a lot of love. It’s a no from me, dawg.
Read our full McNeese vs Clemson prediction
VCU Rams over BYU Cougars (+120)
Now this is an underdog I’m talking about. VCU was the cream of the crop in a respectable Atlantic 10 Conference and can get the better of BYU.
Read our full VCU vs BYU prediction
Gonzaga Bulldogs over Georgia Bulldogs (-275)
The Bulldogs are going to win this game. But will it be the Zags or the Dawgs? Gonzaga is a much more experienced NCAA Tournament program and that should count here.
Read our full Georgia vs Gonzaga prediction
Tennessee Volunteers over Wofford Terriers (-2800)
There is a lot of pressure on the SEC to live up to the hype. Even if some of its best representatives lose early, I’m not expecting it to be in the first round.
Read our full Wofford vs Tennessee prediction
Arkansas Razorbacks over Kansas Jayhawks (+180)
In fact, the SEC is so good that even it’s relatively lower-level teams could advance. This is not your grandfather’s Kansas team.
Read our full Arkansas vs Kansas prediction
Texas A&M Aggies over Yale Bulldogs (-330)
About a decade ago, we found out how Yale out-rebounded Baylor. We won’t find out how Yale will outscore Texas A&M.
Read our full Yale vs Texas A&M prediction
Missouri Tigers over Drake Bulldogs (-258)
An upset is not out of the question here, but I think Missouri is battle-tested enough from the SEC to advance at least 1 round.
Read our full Drake vs Missouri prediction
Utah State Aggies over UCLA Bruins (+190)
This game is likely to be very slow and therefore low scoring. That can level the playing field, and it could be enough for Utah State to beat a mediocre UCLA squad.
Read our full Utah State vs UCLA prediction
St. John’s Red Storm over Omaha Mavericks (-3200)
I would probably have the Red Storm in the Final Four if they weren’t in Florida’s region. Whatever the case, I can’t see them losing their first game.
Read our full Ohama vs St. John’s prediction
UC San Diego Tritons over Michigan Wolverines (+120)
Pretty much everyone seems to be picking this, and I won’t be an exception to that rule. San Diego is no joke and Michigan is overrated.
Read our full UC San Diego vs Michigan prediction
Texas Tech Red Raiders over UNCW Seahawks (-1650)
UNCW faced a Big 12 opponent during the regular season and lost to Kansas by 18 points. Kansas is considerably worse than Texas Tech, so the Red Raiders should have little trouble taking care of business here.
Read our full UNCW vs Texas Tech prediction
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