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The nightcap of the first full day of NCAA Tournament betting action will get underway just before 7:00 ET, and in this session, there will be some of the best and brightest teams in the land kicking off what they hope will be deep runs into this tourney. But which ones will get the axe with premature exits from the dance? Check out our March Madness picks for Thursday evening.

Matchup: #15 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs. #2 Florida Gators
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 6:50 ET
Location: Southeast Region, Tampa Bay, FL
NCAA Basketball Odds: Florida -13
Over/Under 127

Both the Gators and the Gauchos have a lot of returning experience this season, as both teams went dancing last season and brought back the mass majority of their key components this year. The Big West champs are sneaky though, as they have Orlando Johnson, one of the best scorers in the nation at just over 21 points per game. James Nunnally can get his 20+ any given night as well. Sure, Florida has a lot more experience and a lot of potential Final Four types of athletes, but if it does end up going to Houston, it probably isn’t covering every spread along the way. Chandler Parsons and company are great, but the Gators aren’t going to win this one by more than a dozen points. Free March Madness Picks: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos +13

Matchup: #14 Wofford Terriers vs. #3 BYU Cougars
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 7:15 ET
Location: Southeast Region, Denver, CO
NCAA Basketball Odds: BYU -8.5
Over/Under 147

If you love offensive fireworks, you’re going to love this game to pieces. Wofford has no issues running up and down the court with gusto, while BYU’s offense is all about trying to figure out how to get the ball in the hands of Jimmer Fredette. As long as it’s on the right side of half court, Fredette will jack it up without any hesitations, and especially this time of year, everything he touches seems to turn to gold. However, remember the name Noah Dahlman. This is a man that is scoring 20 points per game, and he is a big that can really bring some bulk into the paint against a BYU team that doesn’t have its starting big man in Brandon Davies. No. 14 seeds don’t beat No. 3s all that often, and it would be a real travesty to not see Jimmer in the second weekend of the tournament, but don’t be shocked if the Terriers are dogs with some real bite. March Madness Free Picks: Wofford Terriers +8.5

Matchup: #14 Bucknell Bison vs. #3 Connecticut Huskies
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 7:20 ET
Location: West Region, Washington DC
NCAA Basketball Odds: Connecticut -10
Over/Under 132.5

Do the Bison really have a shot at pulling off the upset in this one? We know that the Huskies dominated games out of conference play this year, but they all weren’t the easiest wins in the world. All too often, this offense just gets into a lull because Kemba Walker isn’t on his game. In fairness to Walker, he did put up five amazing games in the Big East Tournament, and this is why this team really caught some fire. Bucknell was a great mid major all season long, and it certainly has the ability to shoot the three pointer, connecting on 40.2 percent of all long range shots. The Bison are the real deal, and though they might not ultimately end up pulling off the great upset, they certainly can stick around and make this a game down the stretch. Free March Madness Picks: Bucknell Bison +10

Matchup: #13 Belmont Bruins vs. #4 Wisconsin Badgers
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 7:25 ET
Location: Southwest Region, Tucson, AZ
NCAA Basketball Odds: Wisconsin -4.5
Over/Under 126

More upsets on the horizon? Ever since the brackets were released on Sunday, there had to be a heck of a lot of teams that had to be thrilled that Belmont wasn’t the team that they were playing against. This is a team that can shoot three pointers like no one’s business, and it certainly has the winning mentality, having done so 30 times on the season. However, Wisconsin’s last time on the court was an embarrassment that ugly defeat at the hands of the Penn State Nittany Lions in which neither team scored even 40 points. Don’t be surprised if the Badgers get great games out of Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor, and that these two men carry them to victory against an overvalued bunch of Bruins. Free March Madness Picks: Wisconsin Badgers -4.5

Matchup: #10 Michigan State Spartans vs. #7 UCLA Bruins
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 9:20 ET
Location: Southeast Region, Tampa Bay, FL
NCAA Basketball Odds: Michigan State -1.5
Over/Under 125.5

Did someone just forget to tell us about a few things here? Sure, we know that Michigan State was the trendy pick in the NCAA Tournament odds several months ago, but what has this team done to deserve this type of recognition now? The Spartans really struggled with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Tournament, while they were kicked out of the field by the Penn State Nittany Lions. Now, we know that PSU had a special run and earned its place in this tournament, but if you think that that team was one of the best 37 at large teams in the country, you’re crazy. In fact, we know that these Spartans are only here on merit only. Sure, we know that UCLA was booted out of the Pac-10 Tournament by about 100 points by a bad Oregon Ducks team, but we also know that it has the ability to beat anyone in the conference. If the Bruins can beat the likes of the Arizona Wildcats and the Washington Huskies, they can certainly take down Michigan State from an overrated Big Ten conference as well. March Madness Free Picks: UCLA Bruins +1.5

Matchup: #11 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. #6 St. John’s Red Storm
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 9:45 ET
Location: Southwest Region, Denver, CO
NCAA Basketball Odds: St. John’s -1.5
Over/Under 135

What just an awful spot this is for the Johnnies… Haven’t these guys been through enough already? They lost DJ Kennedy for the season in the Big East Tournament, and they had to play the hardest schedule in the nation this season. Now, they have to fly to the West Coast to deal with a Gonzaga team from the West Coast, and Head Coach Mark Few and company have the gripe of being the hottest team on this side of the Rocky Mountains in the country. The Bulldogs could really care less whether or not they are underdogs or favorites in this one, as they have a ton of NCAA Tournament experience and have pulled out wins in both roles. After a great season, the Red Storm will finally succumb to the pressure and will get bounced from the NCAA Tournament prematurely. Free March Madness Picks: Gonzaga Bulldogs +1.5

Matchup: #11 Missouri Tigers vs. #6 Cincinnati Bearcats
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 9:50 ET
Location: West Region, Washington DC
NCAA Basketball Odds: Cincinnati -1
Over/Under 137.5

The Tigers are one of the more public underdog choices in this year’s March Madness, and for good reason. Marcus Denmon and company just play this ridiculous style of defense that presses for the full 40 minutes, and when push comes to shove, we have to admit that this is a tactic that just works in the dance. It might not win the tourney, but in these early games, fans get on your side when you do things like that, and on the neutral court, that’s a great way to swing momentum. Even though the Bearcats figured out how to win a ton of games this season, their non conference schedule was paper thin. This is a totally different type of challenge, and it is one in which UC doesn’t even know is really this dangerous. Not only is this going to be an upset. This is going to be a romp. March Madness Free Picks: Missouri Tigers +1

Matchup: #12 Utah State Aggies vs. #5 Kansas State Wildcats
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 9:55 ET
Location: Southeast Region, Tucson, AZ
NCAA Basketball Odds: Kansas State -2.5
Over/Under 129

We do love the makeup of this Utah State team, as it really does have a lot of veterans and has the potential to pull off a lot of upsets in this tournament. However, this is virtually a pick ‘em game, and it is a game against the likes of which the Aggies haven’t seen this year. Utah State really hasn’t played that well against big time foes, as its only “signature” win came against a St. Mary’s team that, when push comes to shove, ended up in the NIT. K-State is on fire, and Jacob Pullen will make sure that this is a team that just will not lose. Free March Madness Picks: Kansas State Wildcats -2.5

Though the NCAA Tournament has already gotten started, this is the first day in which most NCAA basketball betting fans are paying close attention. The first slate of games is always the most exciting, and we have all of the ins and outs covered for the start of what should be a great day of March Madness picks!

Matchup: #12 Clemson Tigers vs. #5 West Virginia Mountaineers
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 12:15 ET
Location: East Region, Tampa Bay, FL
NCAA Basketball Odds: West Virginia -2
Over/Under 123

This is going to be an ugly, ugly slugfest here at the St. Pete Times Forum to start off the NCAA Tournament, and there is no doubt that we have to go with the Tigers. These teams in the Big East might be amongst the best in the country, but they also have been through the mill and often times aren’t ready for the dance once it begins. Clemson has already gotten its feet wet with that win over the UAB Blazers on Tuesday in the “First Four.” Sure, it’s been an arduous journey to get here to Tampa Bay, but we still have no reservations that this one is coming down to the last shot, one way or the other. Free March Madness Picks: Clemson Tigers +2

Matchup: #9 Old Dominion Monarchs vs. #8 Butler Bulldogs
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 12:40 ET
Location: Southeast Region, Washington DC
NCAA Basketball Odds: Old Dominion -2
Over/Under 122

My, how quickly we all forget about that run that the Bulldogs made to the NCAA Tournament finale last year! No, this Butler team isn’t the same squad as last year, but it really did well in the Horizon League and really turned it on when it counted down the stretch. Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard are the real deal. Don’t get us wrong. We love Old Dominion and we love the fact that this team plays stellar defense. In fact, the Monarchs already have one win over a Horizon League team this season, beating down the Cleveland State Vikings in BracketBusters. Of course, that CSU team was one that the Bulldogs were able to handle this year, even with Norris Cole going crazy. This is another one of these games that really could go either way, and we have to back the ‘dogs’ in this one. March Madness Free Picks: Butler Bulldogs +2

Matchup: #13 Morehead State Eagles vs. #4 Louisville Cardinals
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 1:40 ET
Location: Southwest Region, Denver, CO
NCAA Basketball Odds: Louisville -9.5
Over/Under 131

At the start of the season, many were high on both the Eagles and the Murray State Racers out of the OVC, and many thought that both might be able to sneak into the NCAA Tournament. Instead, both underachieved, and Morehead State was just lucky to end up here. The Redbirds are fantastic, as they play stout defense and surprisingly stellar offense. Don’t let the injury to Raheem Buckles worry you… at least not yet… Terrence Jennings and the crew should be able to put forth a great effort to put this Morehead State team away once and for all by a comfortable double digit margin of victory. Free March Madness Picks: Louisville Cardinals -9.5

Matchup: #10 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. #7 Temple Owls
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 2:10 ET
Location: West Region, Tucson, AZ
NCAA Basketball Odds: Temple -2
Over/Under 121.5

The Nittany Lions are just really particularly lucky to be here in the NCAA Tournament, as they really weren’t even on the radar a bit over a week ago before the Big Ten Tournament started. This is a team that probably should be a CBI team that just happened to catch some fire at the right time to get here. Teams like that generally don’t last all that long in the dance. Temple has dealt with some injuries, but this is a team that really knows how to ball, especially out of the A-10, even though the conference was down this year. Head Coach Fran Dunphy hasn’t had a great history here in the dance, but that should all change this week with a big win over PSU. Free March Madness Picks: Temple Owls -2

Matchup: #13 Princeton Tigers vs. #4 Kentucky Wildcats
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 2:45 ET
Location: East Region, Tampa Bay, FL
NCAA Basketball Odds: Kentucky -13.5
Over/Under 130

Just like it’s really quick that we forgot about Butler, it’s really quickly that we forgot about the Ivy League as well. No, Princeton really isn’t as strong of a shooting team as last year’s Cornell Big Red were, but that doesn’t mean that the Ivy Leaguers really aren’t dangerous. This was a team that fought tooth and nail just to get here, as it took a buzzer beater to knock off the Harvard Crimson. Kentucky is one of the most overrated teams in the country as well at this point. Sure, the talent level is there, but this is definitely a time in which the Selection Committee got this one right. Head Coach John Calipari’s team might have won the SEC, but it’s only a matter of time until someone exposes this team as a fraud. The Cats will get through this one, but it won’t be by two TDs. March Madness Free Picks: Princeton Tigers +13.5

Matchup: #16 UNC Asheville Bulldogs vs. #1 Pittsburgh Panthers
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 3:10 ET
Location: Southeast Region, Washington DC
NCAA Basketball Odds: Pittsburgh -18.5
Over/Under 135

The Panthers know that they are supposed to get through this one in a big time way. The Bulldogs had their day, as they picked up that win in Dayton on Wednesday. U-Pitt really hasn’t had a great history in this tournament, but there is a point that Head Coach Jamie Dixon really has to get his team going. Last year, this team couldn’t get out of the first weekend of the dance. Though we really don’t think there is any doubt that the Panthers are going to get through this game, there is still that doubt about this spread. This could go either way, but when push comes to shove, we’ll take the chance that Pittsburgh tries to make a real statement. Free March Madness Picks: Pittsburgh Panthers -18.5

Matchup: #12 Richmond Spiders vs. #5 Vanderbilt Commodores
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 4:10 ET
Location: Southwest Region, Denver, CO
NCAA Basketball Odds: Vanderbilt -3
Over/Under 134.5

We hate these stupid 5/12 games, because they really feel like pick ‘em games at times. In a rare twist though, we do have something to base this off of. The Commodores figured out how to not just beat, but destroy a very comparable St. Mary’s Gaels team at home. John Jenkins is coming off of a god awful game against the Florida Gators in the SEC Tournament, and he is going to want to make amends for sure. The Richmond defense is fantastic, but it just isn’t good enough to figure out this Vandy offense, which really can be a force at times. March Madness Free Picks: Vanderbilt Commodores -3

Matchup: #15 Northern Colorado Bears vs. #2 San Diego State Aztecs
Date: Thursday, March 17th, 4:40 ET
Location: West Region, Tucson, AZ
NCAA Basketball Odds: San Diego State -15.5
Over/Under 130.5

This is the first time the Bears are ever playing in the NCAA Tournament, while it is very likely going to be the first win for the Aztecs in school history in the dance. Kawhi Leonard is one of the biggest men in this game, as he can score, block shots, and rebound like none other out there. Northern Colorado is just going to be happy to be in this game, and with a tremendous home court advantage, there is no doubt that the Aztecs are going to get rid of the Bears really quickly. Free March Madness Picks: San Diego State Aztecs -15.5

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We’re just one day away from the madness officially starting! Here at Cappers Info, we have started to compile our list of teams that really can make a huge impact in the field as big time underdogs with high seeds. Check out the double digit seed squads that we are keeping the closest eyes on in this tournament.

Gonzaga Bulldogs: The Zags might have gotten a bit of a rough draw in this bracket, knowing that they are an 11 seed, but they do get the benefit of playing a St. John’s team that might not react all that well to playing without DJ Kennedy for the first time. Still, Gonzaga has a great front line, anchored by men like Robert Sacre, and it really has a great ability to be able to play any style of play against any team in the land. The Sweet 16, or maybe even beyond could be in the future of the Bulldogs this year, as this could be a big time, wide open Southeast bracket.

Bucknell Bison: The Connecticut Huskies need to be really, really careful with this one. The Patriot League champs have had all week to prepare for what amounts to be a really, really simple game plan: Stop Kemba Walker. This is the simplistic offense that is that of UConn, and if the Bison can figure out how to even remotely contain it, they’re going to have a legit chance at becoming a No. 14 that is going to make a lot of noise.

Clemson Tigers: Sure, Clemson might have been the last team that got into the field of 68 this season, but it certainly has proven that it can play with the best and brightest that this country has to offer. Just ask the North Carolina Tar Heels just how tough these guys are. The Tigers play great defense and have some fantastic bigs in Jerai Grant and Demontez Stitt. The West Virginia Mountaineers had better watch out! Clemson could be coming to get them!

Florida State Seminoles: Florida State is probably in a bit of a pick ‘em type of scenario with the Texas A&M Aggies, but either team that wins that one is going to have a great chance of getting rid of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish over the weekend. FSU plays great defense, and it knows how to defend like no other team in the land. Chris Singleton is coming back into the lineup as well, and he could really make a world of difference for a team that has lulled around just a bit. This could be the sleeper of the Southwest Bracket.