Written by Rohit Ghosh & AccuScore Staff
Follow @RohitGhosh & @AccuScore
SPECIAL 48-Hour SaleJoin now using coupon code MMadness and get $150 off an annual ALL-SPORTS membership instantly. Offer only good for the first round of games & expires when the Round of 64 ends: Join Today!
March Madness Tournament Picks
Click here for all NCAA basketball picks against the Spread
The 2016 NCAA Tournament projects to be one of the more exciting brackets in recent memory, given the level of parity in college basketball this season. Kansas, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia all earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions, but there are plenty of lower seeds that have the talent to stay alive for multiple rounds of the tourney.
So, AccuScore went region by region with the help of the Bracketcaster to see how each region breaks down in the eyes of the computer.
East Region
Click on the image and simulate Your Own Printable Bracket
The computer clearly likes North Carolina to advance early, but the Sweet 16 matchup against Kentucky poses a problem for the Tar Heels according to the computer. Xavier and West Virginia provides another exciting Sweet 16 if all goes according to plan, but, again, the computer is calling for the upset and West Virginia is the pick to make it through to face Kentucky in the Elite 8. Worth noting that if North Carolina and Xavier make it to the Elite 8, the computer gives the Tar-Heels a 62% chance of knocking off Xavier and reaching the Final Four.
Upset Watch:
No. 9 Providence over No. 8 Southern California
Despite having a potent offense, USC's inconsistencies on the defensive end of the floor make it tough to pick the Trojans in this matchup. Providence's Kris Dunn is one of the better players in the country and has the style of play to dominate a one-and-done tournament, at least for a round or two. AccuScore gives the 9-seed Providence a 54% chance of knocking off the 8-seed USC.
West Region
Click on the image and simulate Your Own Printable Bracket
Duke causing upsets and advancing is nothing new, and the man on the bench has a great deal to do with that. However, we were a bit surprised when Duke came out of the West region. However, one should be aware that the computer is only giving Duke a 53-47 edge over Oregon and a 52-48 edge over Texas A&M. In either case, Duke advancing is essentially a coin flip, and Mike Schefsky has his special way of winning coin flips.
Upset Watch:
No. 10 Virginia Commonwealth over No. 7 Oregon St.
This should be one of the more popular upset picks of the first round, with VCU's defense leading the way for an experienced roster. Gary Payton Jr. will make some noise, but simulations suggest taking the lower seed in this one. VCU wins about 68 percent of simulated games.
South Region
Click on the image and simulate Your Own Printable Bracket
The South is a bit more straight-forward in the sense that no. 1 Kansas and no. 2 Villanova expect to advance to the Elite 8 without any major scares. Both are clear favorites in every matchup leading to the Elite 8. However, the computer gives Villanova a 54% edge to upset Kansas and make the Final 4.
Upset Watch:
No. 9 UConn over No. 8 Colorado
This will be one of the more quietly competitive matchups of the first round, given Colorado's rebounding, but it's tough to pick them over UCONN come March. UConn wins over 67 percent of simulations, setting up a second-round matchup against Kansas.
Midwest Region
Click on the image and simulate Your Own Printable Bracket
While AccuScore is calling for massive upsets elsewhere, the Midwest is an anomaly. Virginia and Michigan State are the no. 1 and no. 2 seeds and both make it to the Elite 8. Michigan State narrowly edges Dayton in the Round of 32, but from there on in, it’s clear daylight for the Spartans. Virginia, though, expects to make the Final Four with ease, and AccuScore has Virginia as its favorite to make the NCAA title game.
Upset Watch:
No. 9 Butler over No. 8 Texas Tech
Texas Tech has some big wins over Iowa St., Oklahoma and Baylor, but the consensus is that they're a bit overrated this year. Butler's a solid pick for a 9-8 upset, with the Bulldogs winning 66 percent of AccuScore sims.
AccuScore’s Premium Picks: Round of 64
Members, sign in at the top right to reveal AccuScore’s best bets against the spread for the round of 64.
Not a member? Join now using coupon code MMadness and get $150 off an annual membership instantly. If you’re new to AccuScore, join using a monthly membership and get a free 7-day trial: Join Today!
AccuScore has expert picks against the spread & totals for every game in the NCAA Tournament and beyond: NCAA Tournament Picks Against the Spread
