2023 March Madness Predictions: NCAA Bracket Expert Picks vs. Spread, Odds in Friday’s Round 1 Games

The NCAA tournament field will be reduced to 48 teams by the start of the first round on Friday. When the sun goes down and we start the weekend, there will be 32 teams left – and they might not be the ones you’re expecting considering March Madness lived up to its name on Thursday.

The only problem you might have is consuming all the action that’s on the way this week. But if the only struggle you have with March Madness is finding a second, third, and fourth screen to capture the action, then you’re probably fine, right?

Of course, getting some more skins in the games can help to get you in the tournament spirit (if you’re not already). Below, our CBS Sports experts have shared their insights with tips straight to the top And against the spread for some of the top games on Friday’s extended board. Our Expert brackets can offer some help on that front as well.

While surviving and progressing is clearly the most important thing for most, we care about whether these teams are covering their spreads and we’ve been tracking the season since November to provide our own thoughts on each game.

Stay with CBS Sports for the rest of the month for coverage of the NCAA tournaments until the end of the Final Four. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for the last day of Friday’s first round.

Odds on Caesars Sportsbook | All times Easter

Featured NCAA Tournament Picks

(3) Baylor vs. (14) UCSB

Friday, 1:30 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: UCSB, which won 27 games this season, was probably a trending 14-a-3 pick for people in their pools, which was… a mistake. This Baylor team has struggled to be consistent at various points this season, but they can score in heaps, led by the second most efficient offense in the sport and a top 40 percentage 3-point shooting team. Bears roll big. Choice: Baylor -11.5

(5) Saint Mary’s vs. (12) VCU

Friday, 2 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: Everyone loves a good 12v5 pick, as do I, but I’m not going for an edge in this particular matchup. Saint Mary’s has been a borderline top-10 team in terms of KenPom and BartTorvik metrics all season. I tend to put the points with the Gaels here. The actual game is probably the bottom one; It’s one of the few first-round matchups between two teams with top-20 defenses in adjusted efficiency scores. Selection: Saint Mary’s -34

(4) UConn vs. (13) Iona

Friday, 4:30 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: Think UConn wins this and advances, but I also think Iona, led by Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, will give the Huskies a run for their money and keep it in the single digits. This Gaels team is well trained, hard defending and sized to mitigate – maybe not eliminate, but mitigate – the advantages UConn has with its athleticism and length. Choice: Iona +9

(3) Gonzaga vs. (14) Grand Canyon

Friday, 7:35 p.m. | truTV, March Madness Live: Gonzaga has a top-10 points lead this season and is in the NCAA tournament, leading the country in that category for the past three games. Grand Canyon is a better opponent than your WCC midfield foe, but the Zags have too much length and athleticism not to win this one with ease. Choice: Gonzaga -15.5

(8) Memphis vs. (9) Florida Atlantic

Friday, 9:20 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: FAU recorded 31 wins this season after dominating Conference USA with a good mix of offense and defense. The sticking point in FAU’s takeover is fading Memphis guard Kendric Davis – a jack of all trades and creator who might be the best at his position – but I’m betting coach Dusty May needs to at least set a game plan making things difficult for him. I like it when the owls win this game outright, so I’ll take the 2.5 points. Choice: FAU +2

(4) Indiana vs. (13) State of Kent

Friday, 9:55 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: What we’ve seen from Indiana over the past month is equal parts encouraging and terrifying when projecting his prospects for the tournament. There is no telling what you will get from this team. But At this point, since many people think Kent State can pull this off, coach Mike Woodson will have IU ready. Big game coming in from Trayce Jackson-Davis, big second half from Jalen Hood-Schifino – and an IU win (by more than the number). Choice: Indiana -4