If you’re ready for the start of the second round and you’re looking for some March Madness betting predictions that could help you increase your betting haul, then consider your ticket punched. If you’re a college hoops betting buff, then you’re going to find the pair of expert picks that you’re about to get – simply salivating. Now, let’s get started.
Top 2019 March Madness Second Round Betting Predictions
Day 1 of Round 1 was wild… Who’s ready for more #MarchMadness? 👀 pic.twitter.com/4EEgE3VG2b
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) 22 de marzo de 2019
No. 10 Florida (20-15) vs. No. 2 Michigan (29-6)
- When: Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 5:15 PM ET
- Where: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
- 2019 March Madness Odds: Michigan -7 / Total: 120.5
Analysis: Florida pulled off what I consider to be a huge upset by beating seventh-seeded Nevada 70-61 on Thursday as senior center Kevarrius Hayes scored 16 points and senior guard Jalen Hudson added 15 points in the win. However, it was Florida’s lock-down defense that really got the job done by limiting Nevada to just 34.5 percent shooting from the field in the win. Florida almost blew a commanding 18-point second half lead before closing out their opener by scoring the game’s final seven points.
“I felt like we didn’t pay attention enough, felt like we got a little bit of a lead, a little too casual, and reminded the team it was far from over,” Hayes said during the postgame press conference. “We had to stay locked in, in the moment and we had to stand together and eventually we dug ourselves out and could do enough to finish the game.”
Michigan rolled all over overmatched Montana 74-55 in their opener as senior guard Charles Matthews scored a team-high 22 points while adding 10 rebounds to lead the way to victory. Matthews’ performance erased any doubts about the ankle injury that limited him in the Big Ten conference tournament.
“Dealing with any injury can be tough and understanding it’s a process to get back to where you were before it happened,” Matthews said afterward. “I had a great group of guys around me. Our athletic trainer was tremendous helping me with rehab and the coaching staff did a great job of supporting me as well, and I was able to take my time and get back to where I wanted to be.”
Prediction
While Florida Gators picked up an impressive win and ranks an encouraging 21st in points allowed (63.6 ppg), the Gators also struggle to score the ball (68.3 ppg) as evidenced by the fact that they have been held to 62 points or less in three of their last four losses. Michigan might have suffered three losses inside their last 10 games, but all three defeats came against Big Ten rival Michigan State and the Wolverines are ranked a phenomenal second nationally in points allowed (58.5 ppg).
Still, I think the spread is just a bit too high for Michigan to cover, which is why I’m going to advise you to back the Gators to cover in this one.
Florida State has gone 5-0 ATS in their last five games and 6-0 ATS in their last six neutral site matchups. While Michigan has gone 3-1-1 ATS in their last five NCAA Tournament games, the Wolverines are also just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games and 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games against teams from the SEC.
2019 March Madness Pick: Michigan 68 Florida 66
No. 9 Baylor (20-13) vs. No. 1 Gonzaga (31-3)
- When: Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 7:10 PM ET
- Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
- 2019 March Madness Odds: Gonzaga -12.5 / Total: 148
Analysis: Baylor man-handled Syracuse en route to a solid 78-69 win in their opener on Thursday as they drained a season-high 16 threes on 34 attempts from beyond the arc.
“We knew we had to make shots, and we got good looks,” Bears coach Scott Drew said. “The key for us is playing with joy. When we share that ball and we put others first … we’re in great shape.”
Point guard Makai Mason scored a a team-high 22 points while making four shots from deep despite dealing with a lingering foot issue. Jared Butler added 14 points in the while Mario Kegler chipped in 13 points.
“But it doesn’t matter when you step on the court,” Mason said afterward. “No one is caring about your injuries. You’ve got to give it all you’ve got. Each and every guy did that tonight.”
Gonzaga absolutely throttled overmatched Fairleigh Dickinson 87-49 in their first round matchup on Thursday as team leader Rui Hachimura scored a team-high 21 points and Killian Tillie scored a season-high 17 points, including one thunderous running one-handed dunk over two opponents.
“That was really crazy,” said teammate Brandon Clarke. “That shows how bouncy he is, plus he can shoot threes. Floaters, too. So he’s a really, really tough player to deal with.
Prediction
Baylor lost three straight before the start of March madness and should just be thankful they made it into the Big Dance this year. Unfortunately for the Bears, this is where their run comes to a screeching halt against a Gonzaga team that is simply better than they are at both ends of the floor.
Baylor has gone 1-5-1 ATS over their last seven games and 0-4-1 ATS over their last five games following an SU win. Conversely, Gonzaga has gone a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five non-conference games while also going 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 vs. Big 12 and 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. I wouldn’t be too worried about the double-digit spread here…the Bulldogs will cover it.
2019 March Madness Pick: Gonzaga 81 Baylor 67
