2023 March Madness Predictions: NCAA Bracket Expert Picks vs. Spread, Odds in Saturday’s Second Round Games – CBS Sports

March Madness is officially in full swing and after two hectic days of the 2023 NCAA Tournament we already have only 32 teams left and are now ready to halve the remaining competitors over the next two days. Round 2 action begins on Saturday, where we will have eight games spread throughout the day, with eight teams ultimately punching tickets to the Sweet 16 while another eight teams’ seasons conclude.

Saturday’s action is the first of a two-day bonanza of second-round games that will officially bow out the first full weekend of this year’s NCAA tournament, and the numbers on deck will be just as delicious as the first few days of action. We have #1 seeds Kansas as the shortest favorite in a second-round game in more than two decades, No. 1 seed Houston in a quasi-Street environment vs. No. 9 seed Auburn in Birmingham and many other appetizing matchups that could yield big results. Buckle up.

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 picks direct and against the spread for some of the top games on Saturday’s extended chart. Here, too, our expert brackets can help.

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 Saturday’s opening day of round two.

Odds on Caesars Sportsbook | All times Easter

Featured NCAA Tournament Picks

(4) Tennessee vs. (5) Duke

Saturday, 2:40 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: Duke bested plucky No.12 seed Oral Roberts in Round 1 to extend his winning streak to 10 games, showing what looks title-worthy in a wide-open east region. So Duke-3 could be tempting. However, for all their attacking struggles — of which there are many — Tennessee have a capable defense that could limit this in numbers and in the end to a single possession. Choice: Tennessee +3.5

(1) Kansas vs. (8) Arkansas

Saturday, 5:15 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: This is the shortest favorite for a No. 1 in a second round matchup since 1996 and the history of short favorites against the spread is not encouraging. However, Kansas is poised to buck this trend as it makes a pretty good matchup with Arkansas with its balanced defense and defensively strong offensive attack. The length of the razorbacks – from their guards and wings – might bother KU and bring this one close, but I like it when KU wins, say, 73-66 or something close by. Choice: Kansas -3

(1) Houston vs. (9) Auburn

Saturday, 7:10 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: In addition to an ongoing groin injury to Houston’s top scorer Marcus Sasser, who left the team’s first-round game after suffering an illness at the AAC tournament, the Cougars are also grappling with Jamal Shead’s knee injury. Both are expected to try, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said Friday, but at what level they will be effective is unclear. The injury worries associated with that game in Birmingham are making me slim and taking away the 5.5 points with Auburn who will effectively be playing a home game. Selection: Maroon +5.5

(2) UCLA vs. (7) Northwest

Saturday, 8:40 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: UCLA dominated their first-round game against UNC-Asheville and didn’t seem to be slowed by the absence of defenseman Jaylen Clark, who is out for the season. However, this is where the undermanned Bruins’ luck ran out in my opinion. Northwestern is an experienced team with two stars in Boo Buie and Chase Audige that will give UCLA everything they can handle. This will be one to watch where I think Northwestern has a real chance to pull off the excitement. Choice: Northwest +7.5