2024 March Insanity predictions: Skilled picks in opposition to the unfold, NCAA bracket odds in Friday first spherical video games

The primary spherical of the 2024 NCAA Event continues rolling Friday as continuous March Insanity motion enters its second day starting simply after midday ET. The sector will quickly shrink from 64 to 48 groups, and one other 16 might be whittled away earlier than the weekend commences

The sun-up to sun-down schedule is exclusive within the sports activities world, and now that your brackets are set — hopefully with out too many crimson marks after the primary 16 video games — there are different picks that may be made within the first spherical. Getting some additional pores and skin within the sport can actually put you within the event spirit or liven issues up much more.

Our CBS Sports activities consultants have convened to offer you additional perception into Friday’s first-round video games with picks straight up and in opposition to the unfold. Our knowledgeable brackets might provide some assist, too, particularly in case you’re contemplating seed-line upsets.

The NCAA Event is all about surviving and advancing, however for these plunking down on their coach or pulling as much as their desk to eat as a lot March Insanity content material as doable — particularly over the subsequent 4 days — which groups cowl their spreads might be fairly essential as properly. The CBS Sports activities faculty basketball consultants have been protecting the game for years and positively all season since November, and they don’t seem to be shy with their picks for these video games.

Be sure you keep on with CBS Sports activities for the remainder of the month as NCAA Event protection continues via the tip of the Closing 4. Let’s check out our knowledgeable picks as first spherical video games proceed Friday.

Odds by way of SportsLine concensus | All occasions Japanese

2024 NCAA Event picks

(8) FAU vs. (9) Northwestern

Friday, 12:15 p.m. | CBS, March Insanity Stay: That is too many factors to provide to Mr. Clutch Boo Buie and the Wildcats. This can be a staff that is defeated Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State this season, and in whole, has extra wins in opposition to NCAA Event groups (5) than FAU. The Owls have been a bit inconsistent over the past month, going 5-3 of their final eight video games with losses in a few of their hardest video games. When Buie has a historical past of developing massive in shut sport eventualities, I really like getting Northwestern now catching greater than an entire possession of factors. Choose: Northwestern +3.5 — Chip Patterson

Friday, 3:10 p.m. | truTV, March Insanity Stay: What a poor draw for Clemson, catching a New Mexico staff whose high quality is far more becoming of a No. 8 seed and due to this fact supplies a a lot harder check than the Tigers would have confronted in one other bracket. The backcourt trio of Donovan Dent, Jaelen Home and Jamal Mashburn Jr. are going to trigger all types of havoc for Clemson’s protection, and I am unsure if the Tigers’ ball-handlers are going to succeed sufficient in opposition to New Mexico’s strain. Clemson does have a measurement benefit that New Mexico will need to keep away from, however with tempo and strain, the Lobos can dictate the phrases of the sport. Choose: New Mexico -2.5 — Chip Patterson

(7) Florida vs. (10) Colorado

Friday, 4:30 p.m. | TBS, March Insanity Stay: A staff from the First 4 has made the second spherical of the NCAA Event in three of the final 4 years, and the Buffaloes appear best-equipped to maintain that development rolling. They scooted previous a extremely gifted Boise State staff within the First 4 on Wednesday with one in every of their finest defensive outings of the season and have quite a few weapons inside and outside to maintain Florida on alert. I just like the Buffs by a smidge right here, so I am going to take the free factors. Choose: Colorado +2 — Kyle Boone

Who will win each faculty basketball sport, and which favorites ought to be on upset alert? Go to SportsLine now to get picks and predictions for each faculty basketball sport, all from a mannequin that simulates each sport 10,000 occasions.

(8) Nebraska vs. (9) Texas A&M

Friday, 6:50 p.m. | TNT, March Insanity Stay: Texas A&M has received 5 of its final six video games, together with a convincing win over Kentucky within the SEC Event. The Aggies are discovering their stride offensively and starting to seem like the staff that was anticipated to compete for the SEC title. With veteran guards Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford main the best way, TAMU goes to be a tricky out for a Nebraska program unaccustomed to this stage. The Aggies are ferocious on the glass and might flip right into a juggernaut once they make 3s. Choose: Texas A&M +1 — David Cobb

(4) Alabama vs. (13) Faculty of Charleston

Friday, 7:35 p.m. | truTV, March Insanity Stay: Alabama comes into the NCAA Event struggling defensively, which makes Charleston a difficult opponent. The Cougars are one of many nation’s prime 3-point taking pictures groups and might be completely high quality enjoying at Bama’s most well-liked uptempo tempo. Charleston took San Diego State, an eventual Closing 4 staff, right down to the wire in final 12 months’s event. That have will serve the Cougars properly in opposition to a Crimson Tide squad that’s looking for rhythm. Choose: Charleston +9 — David Cobb

(8) Utah State vs. (9) TCU

Friday, 9:55 p.m. | TBS, March Insanity Stay: In what turned out to be a terrific 12 months for the Mountain West, Danny Sprinkle’s Aggies stood above the remainder in successful the regular-season title with a potent and balanced offensive assault. TCU has been cold and hot on that finish, and it is coming off a season-low 45 factors vs. Houston within the Large 12 Event. Utah State has the products to maintain it throughout the quantity and doubtlessly pull off the upset. Choose: Utah State +4 — Kyle Boone