The first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, after a gap year induced by COVID, has finally arrived. Starting at 12:15 pm (Eastern Time) on Friday and throughout the day, we will be treated with overlapping hoops as the bracket slowly begins to take shape.
On the first full day, some of the biggest brands will play. Two No. 1 seeds – Illinois and Baylor – are in action. And so are No. 2 Ohio State and Houston seeds, as well as No. 3 Arkansas and West Virginia seeds. The only complaint you may have on Friday is figuring out how to track all the action on your various devices.
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To prepare for the day, our team has compiled your picks for all of Friday’s games, so roll away and feel who we like – and don’t like – before spending some hard-earned money on the action.
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Time: 12h15 | Localization: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Virginia Tech has played only three games since February 6 and lost two of them. But Florida has not been more consistent recently, with the Gators defeating three of their last four games. The justification for choosing the Hokies is simply that their best player, Keve Aluma, will be a tough match for Florida. With 6 feet-9, Aluma can score on all three levels, and he has been very good in the second half of this season. Prediction: Virginia Tech 76, Florida 70. – Cobb
(14) Colgate VS. (3) Arkansas
Time: 12:45 | Localization: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: truTV | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
What to expect when two high-flying offenses collide in this one? All points! Vegas has over / under as the highest of all games from the first round to Friday’s action. I’m taking Razorbacks – one of my Final Four picks – but that can be difficult for Eric Musselman and his team. Colgate and star Jordan Burns can add a ton of points to maintain that balance. Prediction: Arkansas 82, Colgate 77. – Kyle Boone
(16) Drexel vs. (1) Illinois
Time: 1:15 pm | Localization: Farmers Coliseum
TV: TBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
It’s hard to believe that this is Illini’s first appearance at the NCAA tournament since 2013. Now that Illinois is here, though, don’t expect them to give up anytime soon. The journey begins with what must be an easy victory over Drexel. After a race in the CAA Tournament, Dragons must be respected. But they don’t have the firepower to hang with a # 1 seed that flies high. Prediction: Illinois 91, Drexel 58. – Cobb
Time: 1:45 pm | Localization: Assembly Hall
TV: TNT | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Texas Tech is a team that forces you to make mistakes and capitalizes on those mistakes. Utah State is a team that turns the ball a lot and does not have the composition on duty to come out of a deficit if it falls into one. So it’s an automatic inclination for me to hang out with Texas Tech and Chris Beard. He has taken this program to a Final Four and two Elite Oights since his arrival and thrives in the postseason. Prediction: Texas Tech 71, Utah State 65. – Boone
Time: 15h | Localization: Mackey Arena
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
The Buckeyes face an interesting opponent in the first round in this game. Oral Roberts boasts the country’s top scorer, Max Abmas. The 6-foot-1 guard is a true shooter with 3 points of volume and leads a team that can add up some important points. Ohio has no problem running, and the Buckeyes looked really good at the Big 12 Tournament. Therefore, this may be closer than expected, but the state of Ohio is expected to survive. Prediction: Ohio State 95, Oral Roberts 85. – Cobb
(16) Hartford vs. (1) Baylor
Time: 3:30 pm | Localization: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: truTV | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Baylor is tied for second in the scoring margin this season, playing in one of the most difficult leagues in the country (Big 12). There should be no problem with debutant dancer Hartford. But a spread greater than two dozen points? I’ll get the stitches. The Bears are still quite capable of controlling the table, but this team has not yet returned to its dominant form in the middle of the season. Easy win, but Hartford covers. Prediction: Baylor 80, Hartford 64. – Boone
(9) Georgia Tech vs. (8) Loyola Chicago
Time: 16h | Localization: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
TV: TBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
People are going to love Loyola in this because ACC Player of the Year, Moses Wright, is not going to play. This is reflected in the fact that the Ramblers are the favorites of 5.5 points. But I’m picking up the Yellow Jackets right after seeing what they’ve done in the past few weeks. Not having Wright hurts, but José Alvarado is going to prepare his teammates for this great moment and, as the emotional leader of the GT, I think they are having as much success as they have been and yet being an underdog in this game will be highly motivating. Coach Josh Pastner will undoubtedly use this to his advantage before the game. Prediction: Georgia Tech 71, Loyola Chicago 68. – Boone
Time: 4:30 pm | Localization: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Understanding this confrontation is a struggle. Tennessee is full of talent, but has been incredibly inconsistent for the past two months. Oregon State, on the other hand, won three consecutive wins in the Pac-12 Tournament to reach Big Dance. But it’s worth wondering if a few days off may have cooled the Beavers’ spirits. OSU was not very offensive for most of the season, and may have difficulty scoring against a defensive team from Tennessee. Prediction: Tennessee 68, Oregon State 66. – Cobb
Time: 18:25 | Localization: Farmers Coliseum
TV: TBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Oklahoma’s state of fashion is a black horse in the vaunted midwest region because of its recent heat wave and Cade Cunningham, but don’t sleep on this Liberty team. He won 23 games behind a top-10 3-point attack in the country and a Virginia-style grind-it-out style. If any team can kick the Pokes out of their rhythm, it is this small, old bunch of Flames. Prediction: Oklahoma State 77, Liberty 74 – Boone
Time: 19h10 | Localization: Mackey Arena
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
These teams are trending strongly in opposite directions, and UNC talent should shine through here as young Tar Heels try to flourish on the big stage. The flashes of brightness shown by UNC recently make it the choice here. Wisconsin has simply been very inconsistent, despite having a list of veterans, and it is difficult to pinpoint any position in which the Badgers have a clear advantage. Prediction: North Carolina 83, Wisconsin 77 – Cobb
Time: 19h15 | Localization: Assembly Hall
TV: truTV | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Houston has not been tested frequently in a weak AAC. But the Cougars have been the defensive elite for the entire season and have enough athletes to dominate Cleveland State. It is fair to imagine how Houston will overcome this game, but there should be no reason to worry about the cougars in this match. Prediction: Houston 73, Cleveland State 60 – Cobb
Time: 19h25 | Localization: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: TNT | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Don’t let Purdue’s Big Ten tournament display distract you from the fact that this team has won its last five games of the regular season and has rounded the corner behind its young stars in Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey. The Boilermakers have a fabulous mix of young and old on their list that, together, make them quite capable of being a threat in the first round and beyond. Place the dots. Prediction: Purdue 71, North Texas 60 – Boone
Time: 21:29 | Localization: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: TBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Clemson boasts impressive depth, but success at the NCAA Tournament is often related to the power of the stars, and Rutgers is better in that department with Ron Harper Jr. and Jacob Young. In addition, the Scarlet Knights are breaking a 30-year NCAA tournament drought here. They will be motivated to make their race last longer than a game. After going through the Big Ten routine, this team is tested and ready to deal with Clemson and his star Aamir Simms. Prediction: Rutgers 67, Clemson 62. – Cobb
Time: 21:40 | Localization: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Syracuse and the state of San Diego have one thing in common: the two play games much. So, while I really like San Diego State and the MWC-winning Aztecs, it’s hard to think that this will be anything other than a game of possession in the end. Prediction: San Diego State 69, Syracuse 68. – Boone
Time: 21:50 | Localization: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: truTV | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
West Virginia’s mountain of man, Derek Culver, may not be the incompatibility that most teams would consider, thanks to the appearance at the end of the season by Morehead State freshman Johni Broome. But Mountaineers have guards who can shoot you in waves between Deuce McBride, Sean McNeil and Taz Sherman, making this a game that WVU must handle relatively easily. He must.. Prediction: West Virginia 70, Morehead State 62. – Boone
Time: 21:57 | Localization: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
TV: TNT | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
It is difficult to exaggerate how difficult it is to lose Collin Gillespie to Villanova. The senior guard commanded the entire operation, and the Wildcats are 0-2 without him. If there is a concern about choosing Winthrop, it is that the Eagles were simply not tested against high level competition. But they were so dominant at the Big South Tournament, and Villanova looked so lackluster without Gillespie, that choosing Winthrop to win here shouldn’t be considered a bad choice. Prediction: Winthrop 74, Villanova 72. – Cobb