2025 NCAA Tournament Best Bets: Round 1 (Friday)

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Another March Madness is upon us and it is time to watch one team have their shining moment. The best part is figuring out which juggernauts will be tough to stop and which Cinderella teams will implode your bracket. Let's dissect some games on Day 2 and share our best bets.

2025 NCAA Tournament March Madness Bracket Strategy & Betting Picks>>

March Madness Pick'Em Contest

2025 Men's NCAA Tournament Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

No. 12 Colorado State (-125) at No. 5 Memphis (+105) | O/U 147.5 (-105/-115)

Memphis got the No. 5 seed and now Penny Hardaway's team has to prove it deserves that spot. The Tigers should have steamrolled through the American Coast Conference (ACC). Instead, they played a lot of close games. The out-of-conference schedule could have been what got them this spot, with wins against UConn, Ole Miss and Clemson.

That offense needs to come out and gain a sizable lead quickly. They will have some of the best guards in the tournament, with the quickness of PJ Haggerty, who will drive the lane, and the long-range shooting of Tyler Hunter and Colby Rogers, who can score from different spots.

Sometimes, in the tournament, it's not about how good you are but how hot you are. Colorado State is coming in on fire after winning 10 straight, including the Mountain West title. They had a tough start to the season, but this team has significantly improved, especially with its perimeter shooting. 

The Rams will look at potential NBA Draft pick Nique Clifford to lead this offense as he did in the Mountain West tournament, where he averaged 25 points per game.

When Memphis struggles, you can see it. They press too much and settle for low-percentage shots, but you can't do that in a single-elimination-style tournament.

It isn’t surprising that Colorado State is a slight favorite, but Memphis’ recent history doesn’t warrant it. They could have trouble later, but they can push past Colorado State because there isn't another confident second option for the Rams after Clifford.

Pick: Memphis +1.5 (-108)

No. 10 Vanderbilt (+160) at No. 7 Saint Mary’s (-192) | O/U 135.5 (-112/-108)

Saint Mary's looked great throughout the season and was the favorite for the West Coast Conference (WCC) title. They were defeated by their rivals Gonzaga in the WCC Championship but were still deservingly given a No. 7 seed. 

Their staple this season has been defense, as they finished eighth in defensive rating, according to KenPom. They pressure you at the perimeter and are disciplined, as opponents have trouble drawing fouls. 

They aren’t strong offensively, so they like to slow the game down and limit possessions. They come in with the ninth-slowest pace of play in the country (65.6).

Vanderbilt may not be one of the elite teams in a tough Southeastern Conference (SEC), but being tested throughout the season will have them ready. They move the ball very well, with Jason Edwards, Devin McGlockton, AJ Hoggard and Tyler Nickel, who are all great perimeter shooters - especially Nickel and Edwards, who are each shooting over 36% from behind the arc.

Many more up-tempo teams will need to use it to get Saint Mary's out of sync. This Gaels squad looks poised to make a good run. With them ranking 43rd in opponents’ three-point percentage (31.2%), they should neutralize Vanderbilt's offense.

Pick: Saint Mary’s -4.5 (-105)