2023 March Madness Predictions: NCAA Bracket Expert Picks vs. Spread, Odds in Thursday’s Round 1 Games – CBS Sports

Technically, the 2023 NCAA tournament began Tuesday with the First Four, but the real mayhem of March begins on Thursday and Friday when first-round action takes place across the country. Between the two days, the field is cut in half from 64 to 32 teams as a (nearly) sun to sunset schedule eats up the sport

That’s what March Madness does, well, March Madness.

Getting some extra skin in the games can also help get you in the tournament spirit. Below, our CBS Sports experts have shared their insights with picks direct and against the spread for some of the top games on Thursday’s expanded list. 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 when the first round matches kick off on Thursday.

Odds on Caesars Sportsbook | All times Easter

Featured NCAA Tournament Picks

(7) Missouri vs. (10) State of Utah

Thursday, 1:40 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: That line opened at Utah State -2 and has dropped to -1 in the last day or so as Missouri picks up momentum among the public bettors. I’m staying here on the Utah State Train. Coach Ryan Odom led the Aggies to seven wins in the last eight games leading up to the NCAA tournament, with the only loss falling to a fifth-place San Diego State team that has what it takes to make a deep run. Selection: State of Utah -1

(1) Kansas vs. (16) Howard

Thursday, 2 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: Every year it feels like the lines for 1-16 games feel too high, and yet almost every year the #1 seed proves why it deserves such respect. Last year, KU beat Texas Southern by 27 points as a 21.5-point favorite in Round 1, and it could do the same despite the big number here against Howard. Choice: Kansas -21

(1) Alabama vs. (16) Texas A&M CC

Thursday, 2:45 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: No team has been better able to kick opponents’ tails even against good competition this season than Alabama. The Crimson Tide are ranked No. 3 in college basketball and go into action Thursday as a 24-point favorite against Texas A&M-CC. It still feels low. If Alabama can beat Mississippi State with 23 or Texas A&M with 19 points, it could easily cover the 24 points against the Islanders if they’re ready. Choice: Alabama -24

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(8) Arkansas vs. (9) Illinois

Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: I feel like I’m on the right side after taking Illinois when it was +3 to open. Arkansas has the talent that is very appealing — Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr. are potential top-10 picks — but they haven’t clicked for most of the season and are entering the NCAA tournament with virtually no momentum. Illinois has blitzed and won in big games at least intermittently this season, and it should be up to the task with win-or-go home appearances. Choice: Illinois +2.5

(8) Iowa vs. (9) Maroon

Thursday, 6:50 p.m. | TNT, March Madness Live: Strangely, as Jerry Palm wrote Wednesday, the selection committee awarded Auburn a spot on the Birmingham grounds to open the NCAA tournament. So this is effectively a home game for the Tigers. That’s enough for me to approach them in a narrow spread, so I’ll put the point. Choice: Maroon -1

(5) Duke vs. (12) Oral Roberts

Thursday, 7:10 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: I took Oral Roberts when that line was +6.5 and I’m staying at +6 (although I’m glad I got the hook on the opening line). The Golden Eagles are one of only four teams this season to win at least 30 games, and they go into the tournament having won 27 of their last 28. With sniper Max Abmas, they have what it takes to make Duke sweat to the max. Selection: Oral Roberts +6.5