College basketball fans everywhere are ecstatic because, after a long wait, the 2021 NCAA Tournament is here. After COVID-19 canceled March Madness in 2020, the greatest event in sports is back! All day Friday, we'll be treated with overlapping hoops action as the bracket slowly begins to take shape.
The first-round has already delivered some fantastic moments. None have been bigger than that of No. 15 seed Oral Roberts scoring the shocking upset of No. 2 seed Ohio State on Friday. The Eagles secured their first tournament win since 1974 and became just the ninth No. 15 seed to ever win against a No. 2 seed.
To gear up for the rest of the day, our team has compiled their picks for every game Friday so scroll away and get a feel for who we like -- and don't like -- before you throw down some hard-earned cash on the action.
Who wins and covers every game? And which teams should be on upset alert? Visit SportsLine now to see which team to back in every matchup, all from the model that's up $2,600 for $100 players.
(11) Syracuse vs. (6) San Diego State
Time: 9:40 p.m. | Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Syracuse and San Diego State have one thing in common: They both play close games a lot. So while I like San Diego State and the MWC-winning Aztecs a lot, I have a hard time thinking this one will be anything other than a one-possession game by the end. Prediction: San Diego State 69, Syracuse 68. -- Boone
(14) Morehead State vs. (3) West Virginia
Time: 9:50 p.m. | Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: truTV | Live stream: March Madness Live
West Virginia's mountain-of-a-man Derek Culver may not be the mismatch that most teams would consider thanks to the late-season emergence of Morehead State freshman big man Johni Broome. But the Mountaineers have guards they can throw at you in waves between Deuce McBride, Sean McNeil and Taz Sherman, making this a game that WVU should handle with relative ease. Should.. Prediction: West Virginia 70, Morehead State 62. -- Boone
(12) Winthrop vs. (5) Villanova
Time: 9:57 p.m. | Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
TV: TNT | Live stream: March Madness Live
It's hard to overstate just how tough the loss of Collin Gillespie is for Villanova. The senior guard keyed the entire operation, and the Wildcats are 0-2 without him. If there's a worry with picking Winthrop, it's that the Eagles simply haven't been tested against to-notch competition. But they were so dominant in the Big South Tournament, and Villanova has looked so lackluster without Gillespie, that picking Winthrop to win here shouldn't even be considered an upset pick. Prediction: Winthrop 74, Villanova 72. -- Cobb
(13) Liberty vs. (4) Oklahoma State
Time: 6:25 p.m. | Location: Farmers Coliseum
TV: TBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Trendy Oklahoma State is a darkhorse in the vaunted Midwest Region because of its recent hot streak and Cade Cunningham, but do not sleep on this Liberty team. It won 23 games behind a top-10 3-point attack in the country and a grind-it-out style akin to Virginia. If any team can kick the Pokes off their rhythm, it's this old, undersized Flames bunch. Prediction: Oklahoma State 77, Liberty 74 -- Boone
| OSU -7.5 | ||||||
| S/U |
(9) Wisconsin vs. (8) North Carolina
Time: 7:10 p.m. | Location: Mackey Arena
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
These teams are trending hard in opposite directions, and UNC's talent edge should shine through here as the young Tar Heels try and blossom on the big stage. The flashes of brilliance shown by UNC recently make it the pick here. Wisconsin has simply been too inconsistent, despite having a veteran roster, and it's hard to pinpoint any position where the Badgers have a clear advantage. Prediction: North Carolina 83, Wisconsin 77 -- Cobb
| OSU -7.5 | ||||||
| S/U |
(15) Cleveland State vs. (2) Houston
Time: 7:15 p.m. | Location: Assembly Hall
TV: truTV | Live stream: March Madness Live
Houston wasn't tested often in a weak AAC. But the Cougars have been elite defensively all season and have enough athletes to overpower Cleveland State. It's fair to wonder how Houston will fair past this game, but there shouldn't be any reason to worry about the Cougars in this matchup. Prediction: Houston 73, Cleveland State 60 -- Cobb
| OSU -7.5 | ||||||
| S/U |
(13) North Texas vs. (4) Purdue
Time: 7:25 p.m. | Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: TNT | Live stream: March Madness Live
Don't let Purdue's one-and-done Big Ten tourney showing distract you from the fact that this team won its final five regular-season games and turned a corner behind its young stars in Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey. The Boilermakers have a fabulous blend of young and old on their roster that, together, makes them plenty capable of being a threat in the first round and beyond. Lay the points. Prediction: Purdue 71, North Texas 60 -- Boone
| OSU -7.5 | ||||||
| S/U |
(10) Rutgers vs. (7) Clemson
Time: 9:29 p.m. | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: TBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Clemson boasts impressive depth, but success in the NCAA Tournament is often about star power, and Rutgers is better in that department with Ron Harper Jr. and Jacob Young. Plus, the Scarlet Knights are breaking a 30-year NCAA Tournament drought here. They are going to be motivated to make their run last longer than a game. After going through the grind of the Big Ten schedule, this team is tested and ready to handle Clemson and its star Aamir Simms. Prediction: Rutgers 67, Clemson 62. -- Cobb
| OSU -7.5 | ||||||
| S/U |
