Current:Home > StocksMarch Madness expert picks: Our first round predictions for 2024 NCAA men's tournament -OceanicInvest
March Madness expert picks: Our first round predictions for 2024 NCAA men's tournament
View
Date:2025-04-15 13:08:39
There's still plenty of time to fill in your March Madness brackets. By now you have considered this year's best upset picks and the top seeds (looking at you, North Carolina) that got the easiest path in their region.
If you're looking for more help, here's a look historically at how seeds have performed in the NCAA Tournament. UConn is a popular Final Four pick, but there's a reason why the East is considered the toughest of the four.
First Four games begin Tuesday night, but brackets aren't officially due until Thursday (before first round games tip off). If you need the full tournament schedule and where to watch on TV, here it is.
Here's a look at first round game picks from experts Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg and Dan Wolken:
East
(1) UConn vs. (16) Stetson
- Mendoza: UConn
- Myerberg: UConn
- Wolken: UConn
IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
(8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Northwestern
- Mendoza: Florida Atlantic
- Myerberg: Florida Atlantic
- Wolken: Northwestern
(5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB
- Mendoza: San Diego State
- Myerberg: San Diego State
- Wolken: UAB
(4) Auburn vs. (13) Yale
- Mendoza: Auburn
- Myerberg: Auburn
- Wolken: Auburn
(6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne
- Mendoza: Duquesne
- Myerberg: BYU
- Wolken: BYU
(3) Illinois vs. (14) Morehead State
- Mendoza: Illinois
- Myerberg: Illinois
- Wolken: Illinois
(7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake
- Mendoza: Washington State
- Myerberg: Washington State
- Wolken: Drake
(2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State
- Mendoza: Iowa State
- Myerberg: Iowa State
- Wolken: Iowa State
West
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Howard/(16) Wagner
- Mendoza: North Carolina
- Myerberg: North Carolina
- Wolken: North Carolina
(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State
- Mendoza: Mississippi State
- Myerberg: Michigan State
- Wolken: Mississippi State
(5) Saint Mary's vs. (12) Grand Canyon
- Mendoza: Saint Mary's
- Myerberg: Saint Mary's
- Wolken: Saint Mary’s
(4) Alabama vs. (13) College of Charleston
- Mendoza: Alabama
- Myerberg: Alabama
- Wolken: College of Charleston
(6) Clemson vs. (11) New Mexico
- Mendoza: New Mexico
- Myerberg: Clemson
- Wolken: New Mexico
(3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate
- Mendoza: Baylor
- Myerberg: Baylor
- Wolken: Baylor
(7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada
- Mendoza: Nevada
- Myerberg: Dayton
- Wolken: Dayton
(2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State
- Mendoza: Arizona
- Myerberg: Arizona
- Wolken: Arizona
South
(1) Houston vs. (16) Longwood
- Mendoza: Houston
- Myerberg: Houston
- Wolken: Houston
(8) Nebraska vs. (9) Texas A&M
- Mendoza: Nebraska
- Myerberg: Nebraska
- Wolken: Nebraska
(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) James Madison
- Mendoza: JMU
- Myerberg: Wisconsin
- Wolken: JMU
(4) Duke vs. (13) Vermont
- Mendoza: Duke
- Myerberg: Duke
- Wolken: Duke
(6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State
- Mendoza: Texas Tech
- Myerberg: Texas Tech
- Wolken: Texas Tech
(3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland
- Mendoza: Kentucky
- Myerberg: Kentucky
- Wolken: Kentucky
(7) Florida vs. (10) Colorado/(10) Boise State
- Mendoza: Florida
- Myerberg: Boise State/Colorado
- Wolken: Boise State/Colorado
(2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky
- Mendoza: Marquette
- Myerberg: Marquette
- Wolken: Marquette
Midwest
(1) Purdue vs. (16) Grambling/Montana State
- Mendoza: Purdue
- Myerberg: Purdue
- Wolken: Purdue
(8) Utah State vs. (9) TCU
- Mendoza: Utah State
- Myerberg: Utah State
- Wolken: Utah State
(5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese
- Mendoza: McNeese
- Myerberg: Gonzaga
- Wolken: McNeese
(4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford
- Mendoza: Samford
- Myerberg: Kansas
- Wolken: Samford
(6) South Carolina vs. (11) Oregon
- Mendoza: Oregon
- Myerberg: South Carolina
- Wolken: Oregon
(3) Creighton vs. (14) Akron
- Mendoza: Creighton
- Myerberg: Creighton
- Wolken: Creighton
(7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State/(10) Virginia
- Mendoza: Colorado State/Virginia
- Myerberg: Texas
- Wolken: Texas
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter's
- Mendoza: Tennessee
- Myerberg: Tennessee
- Wolken: Tennessee
veryGood! (35)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- WeWork — once one of the world's hottest startups — declares bankruptcy
- Oregon GOP senators who boycotted Legislature file federal lawsuit in new effort to seek reelection
- How to see word count on Google Docs: Check progress on your writing project in real time.
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- What's the best way to ask for a flexible telework schedule? Ask HR
- Prominent 22-year-old Palestinian protester Ahed Tamimi arrested by Israel on suspicion of inciting violence
- Russell Brand accused of sexually assaulting actress on set of Arthur
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Governments plan more fossil fuel production despite climate pledges, report says
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Los Angeles Rams to sign QB Carson Wentz as backup to Matthew Stafford
- Netanyahu faces rising anger from within Israel after Hamas attack
- A prosecutor says a foreign link is possible to the dozens of Stars of David stenciled around Paris
- Bodycam footage shows high
- An Alabama mayor ended his life after a website showed pictures of him cross-dressing
- Rhinestones on steering wheels may be a fashion statement, but they're a terrible idea. Here's why.
- Michael Strahan will not return to 'Good Morning America' this week amid 'personal family matters'
Recommendation
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
Peace Corps agrees to pay $750,000 to family of dead volunteer
Voting machines in one Pennsylvania county flip votes for judges, an error to be fixed in tabulation
Judge to rule on temporary block of North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
President Joe Biden to host Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the White House Nov. 13
Historic hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin partially collapses after massive fire
Horoscopes Today, November 7, 2023