Zags, Saint Mary’s, Razorbacks All Favored To Win First Round

• Gonzaga is a 23-point favorite to beat the Georgia State Panthers.
• The Indiana Hoosiers have -105 odds to cover a +2.5-point spread against Saint Mary’s.
• The Arkansas Razorbacks are 5-point favorites to beat the Vermont Catamounts.

LAS VEGAS – March Madness has finally started and there are tons of different games to keep an eye on in terms of the betting odds that are given to them. One matchup to keep in mind, in particular, is the 1/16 matchup between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Georgia State Panthers.

Other matchups include the Indiana Hoosiers and the Saint Mary’s Gaels as well as the Arkansas Razorbacks and Vermont Catamounts. Each of these game, while many would be quick to lean on the favorite, have money to be made on both sides.

#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs Vs. #16 Georgia State Panthers

While many might not think too much about this matchup between Gonzaga and Georgia State being that the spread is set so wide, it could be seen as a chance to bet on the Panthers to cover. Gonzaga has been a powerhouse all season long, however, when it comes to the spread, they are just like any other team having gone 15-12-2.

Of their games though, they have been favored by 20-points or more 15 times this season and have gone 7-8 ATS in those games. In fact, they have not covered a 20 or more-point spread there last two times out. They are also just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games of the season.

As for the Panthers, they are 13-12-1 against the spread this season and have picked things up to finish the year. They finished on a 10-game win streak and went 8-2 ATS in those games. They have also kept things extremely close in their last six losses having lost each of those games by 10 points or less. With that said, they might not be able to pull off the major upset, but can certainly keep things close.

Pick: Georgia State +23

#5 Saint Mary’s Gaels Vs. #12 Indiana Hoosiers Odds

This 5/12 matchup should have a close eye kept on them as upsets tend to come from this spot more often than not. Since 2010, 12 seeds have beaten the 5 seed 17 times and 51 times total since the tournament expanded in 1985. In the last 36 March Madness tournaments, a 12 seed has upset a 5 seed 31 times. That said, the Indiana Hoosiers have a great chance of cashing the longer odds on legal betting sites.

Indiana has one of the top defenses in the county as they sat at the top of the Big 10 in defense when going against two- and three-point shots. Looking at Saint Mary’s they have some incredible three-point shooters on their team, however, they could struggle against a defense from one of the top conferences in the country. Something else to keep in mind is that Saint Mary’s has seven losses this season and, in those losses, their opponents have held them to under 40% from three-point range.

The Gaels also do not have much going for them in the paint on both offense and defense which is sure to carry into this game against one of the top inside players in the country, Trayce Jackson-Davis. Jackson-Davis is putting up 18.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, and is in the top-30 in the country in blocks at 2.4 per game. With the Hoosiers looking to limit both inside and outside options, they certainly have what it takes to hit the upset.

Pick: Indiana +125

#4 Arkansas Razorbacks Vs. #13 Vermont Catamounts Odds

Although the Razorbacks are the much higher seed here, they could be in some serious trouble against a Catamounts team that has gone 22-1 in their last 23 games of the season. Arkansas has been impressive as well, however, while they can still win, the Catamounts will certainly keep things close on the CBB odds.

Arkansas has one of the best records against the spread this season at 20-13, but have taken a back seat in their last five games going 2-3 in that span. As for Vermont, they have been red hot on the spread having covered three straight and six of their last eight. Also, they have been a 15 point or more favorite in their last seven games and still manage to cover all but two games during that stretch. Not much more could be said other than the Catamounts are on a mission and the Razorbacks are their next target.

Pick: Vermont +5

News tags: Arkansas Razorbacks | basketball | College Basketball | Georgia State Panthers | Gonzaga Bulldogs | Indiana Hoosiers | March Madness | NCAA Tournament | Saint Mary’s Gaels | Vermont Catamounts