NCAA Tournament 2021: How to bet every second-round March Madness game
By Jason McIntyre
FOX Sports Betting Analyst
After a successful opening round betting every game of March Madness (18-13 against the spread), we're rolling those winnings into the second round.
With Day 3 in the books, here are my picks against the spread for every game on the second day of the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
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Overall record against the spread so far: 29-18*
*VCU vs. Oregon canceled due to COVID-19 protocols
EAST REGION
No. 1 Michigan (-5) vs. No. 8 LSU
The Wolverines didn’t miss second-leading scorer Isaiah Livers in round one, but they will against LSU.
The Tigers' offense is thin inside and will have trouble with 7-footer Hunter Dickinson, but I’ve got to take the points with the much better offensive team. Pick: LSU +5
Result: Michigan covers with an 86-78 win
No. 2 Alabama (-5) vs. No. 10 Maryland
Two scrappy defensive teams square off in a game in which 60 points might be enough to move on.
Maryland must rebound better after giving UConn 22 offensive boards. Alabama has more talent, but the Terps might have the best player on the floor in guard Eric Ayala (23 points in the first round). Pick: Alabama -5
Result: Alabama covers with a 96-77 win
No. 4 Colorado (+1) vs. No. 5 Florida State
The Seminoles were unimpressive in the second half Saturday, unable to pull away from a feisty UNC Greensboro team. Plus, senior guard MJ Walker turned an ankle.
Colorado's senior point guard, McKinley Wright, will not be overwhelmed by the big stage, but the Buffaloes also won’t shoot 16-for-25 on 3-pointers again. Pick: FSU -1
Result: Florida State covers with a 71-53 win
No. 11 UCLA (-4.5) vs. No. 13 Abilene Christian
The Wildcats play suffocating, physical defense, which might rattle the one-on-one-loving Bruins. Abilene Christian has faced Texas Tech and Arkansas, so it is battle-tested.
Still, it's tough to go against the Pac-12 right now, as the conference has won and covered in every game (6-0). Pick: UCLA -4.5
Result: UCLA covers with a 67-47 win
WEST REGION
No. 1 Gonzaga (-14) vs. No. 8 Oklahoma
The undefeated Zags don’t figure to be tested much by an Oklahoma team that does nothing well outside of the phenomenal shooting of Austin Reaves.
Gonzaga has won 24 straight games by double digits. Don’t overthink this. Pick: Gonzaga -14
Result: Gonzaga covers with an 87-71 win
No. 2 Iowa (-5) vs. No. 7 Oregon
The Ducks' game against VCU was canceled due to COVID-19 protocol, so they haven’t played since losing to Oregon State on March 12 in the Pac-12 tournament.
As long as the Ducks can survive the first half, Dana Altman should be able to scheme up a defense to contain Luka Garza and Iowa. Pick: Oregon +5
Result: Oregon covers with a 95-80 win
No. 3 Kansas (+1) vs. No. 6 USC
The Jayhawks were putrid for a half before rallying past Eastern Washington, a horrendous defensive team that gave up 55 second-half points.
Between lottery pick Evan Mobley and the 11th-rated defense in the country, the Trojans should win, unless foul shooting (ranked 328th) does them in. Pick: USC -1
Result: USC covers with an 85-51 win
No. 5 Creighton (-5.5) vs. No. 13 Ohio
The Bobcats took on money all week and rallied to beat Virginia, a team that wilted late after not practicing all week because of COVID. Creighton, meanwhile, survived a last-second missed layup to beat UCSB.
The Blue Jays, who want to push the tempo, should have success offensively against the 152nd defense in the country. Pick: Creighton -5.5
Result: Creighton covers with a 72-58 win
Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports gambling analyst, and he also writes about the NFL and NBA Draft. He joined FS1 in 2016 and has appeared on every show on the network. In 2017, McIntyre began producing gambling content on the NFL, college football and NBA for FOX Sports. He had a gambling podcast for FOX, "Coming Up Winners," in 2018 and 2019. Before arriving at FOX, he created the website The Big Lead, which he sold in 2010.
Play the FOX Super 6 Tourney Challenge all tournament long for your chance to win thousands of dollars every round! Just download the FOX Super 6 app for free and make your picks now.
