It's time for some Madness.
The NCAA Tournament Round of 64 kicks off on Thursday, March 19, at different sites around the country.
Of course, our experts are locked in on three college basketball picks and March Madness best bets for the early-afternoon window on this glorious day.
College Basketball Picks: 2026 March Madness Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12:15 PM | |
  | 1:50 PM | |
  | 2:50 PM | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
TCU vs. Ohio State Picks, Best Bet
By Evan Abrams
This game triggered one of our Action PRO betting systems for the NCAA Tournament:
"Seed Threes Turnovers" comes alive in the NCAA Tournament when two teams separated by only a narrow seed difference meet on a neutral floor, and the market leans too heavily on surface narratives.
In this setting, a team that shoots well from 3 while limiting its own turnovers carries a structural edge because tournament games tighten into half-court possessions where each mistake is magnified.
When that same team faces a defense allowing a higher field goal rate, the quality of clean perimeter looks rises, and variance shifts toward the more disciplined offense.
With the seed difference minimal, the perceived talent gap is small, yet the betting line often reflects brand bias rather than possession efficiency.
In the pressure of March, where every trip down the floor carries weight, the combination of reliable outside shooting, controlled ball handling, and an opponent defense that bends just enough becomes the quiet driver of covers that feel methodical rather than explosive.
Want more PRO betting systems? Download the Action Network App today:
Pick: Ohio State -3 or Better
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High Point vs. Wisconsin NCAAB Picks, Predictions
By Joshua Nunn
Wisconsin scored 80 or more points in 10 of its first 11 games this season when playing KenPom sub-50 teams.
The Badgers have the most efficient and talented offense that High Point has seen all season. High Point likes to gamble on defense, but Wisconsin doesn't turn the ball over, which should lead to plenty of easy buckets at the rim for Wisconsin.
The Badgers have been white-hot from deep. This group made 16 triples against Michigan and 41 overall during its Big Ten Tournament run, which concluded in the semifinals. Austin Rapp has been shooting the ball well since logging more minutes at the four, and Nick Boyd has scored 23 or more in four of his past five games.
Both High Point and Wisconsin are comfortable in high-possession games, so I don't see one team trying to throttle down the pace.
I anticipate that High Point will score alright, keeping the pressure on the Badgers. This game should look and feel similar to recent Wisconsin bouts against Purdue, Washington, and Illinois.
High Point has a deep bench and plays a lot of guys, but the drop-off between Terry Anderson, Rob Martin, and Cam'Ron Fletcher compared to the second platoon is huge.
I would anticipate High Point relying less on the bench, and I wouldn't be surprised to see fatigue set in late in the second half, leaving High Point at a significant disadvantage in size and physicality.
Wisconsin should win this game and move on. It has the offensive talent to score 90 points against teams like Michigan, Purdue, and Illinois.
Follow Duck in the Action Network App to tail all of his March Madness bets:
Pick: Wisconsin TT Over 88 or Better
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Siena vs. Duke Best Bets, Odds, Picks
I project Duke as a 26-point favorite in this first-round matchup, so I’m willing to play the Saints at +29 or better, representing a minimum three-point difference between my projection and the market.
I was happy to see that I projected value on the Saints right as Stuckey logged a bet on the MAAC Champs.
It’s tough to envision how Siena’s ball-screen-centric offense scores against Duke’s terrifying wing defenders. Meanwhile, Cameron Boozer could run wild against Siena’s soft frontcourt.
That said, this game should be played at a snail’s pace. I project only 63 possessions for this game, and it’s tough to ask any team to cover a 30-point spread in a game with that few possessions.
Duke is also banged up, so the Devils likely want to get in and out with a smooth win, rather than a complete beatdown.
Also, 7-footer Riley Mulvey has played some awesome basketball lately. Maybe he’ll give Boozer some two-way issues.
Check out all of Tanner's NCAA Tournament projections for the Round of 64 here:
Pick: Siena +29 or Better
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