The NCAA March Madness Tournament tips off with the First Four on Tuesday, March 14. Then on Thursday, the tournament really starts with first round games. Which contests should college basketball handicappers put on their radar? Check out against the spread odds, analysis, and free picks for six of this week’s best March Madness contests.

Top 2023 March Madness First Round Betting Predictions

Imagine if the only bracket we ever knew was the radial bracket #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/UVdN663qgS

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 14, 2023

READ MORE: Top 2023 March Madness Betting Picks of the Week – March 13th

Charleston Cougars vs. San Diego State Aztecs

• When: Thursday, March 16th, 2023. 3:10pm EST.
• Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL

Favored San Diego State will roll into the NCAA Tournament. The 5-seed Aztecs have won 14- of-16. SDSU beat a solid team in Utah State to take the Mountain West Tournament.

So there’s reason to believe SDSU gets it done on Thursday, but the Charleston Cougars are a talented bunch. The 12-seed in this averages 81.7 points per while allowing 68 each game. The +5.5 makes the Cougars more than playable.

NCAAB Betting Pick: Charleston Cougars +5.5

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. Duke Blue Devils

• When: Thursday, March 16th, 2023. 7:10pm EST.
• Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL

Thursday’s other 12 versus 5 game pits one of the hottest teams in the nation against a solid mid-major. The mid-major, that’s Oral Roberts, is on a 17-game winning streak. The Golden Eagles haven’t lost since New Mexico beat them 82-75 on Jan. 9.

Duke is also on a winning streak. The Blue Devils have won 9 straight and took home the ACC Tournament trophy. The Blue Devils are a legit hot team, meaning Duke beat different opponents during the streak. The Blue Devils should be a higher seed, no worse than a 3. Duke rolls.

NCAAB Betting Pick: Duke Blue Devils -6.5

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Texas A&M Aggies

• When: Thursday, March 16th, 2023. 9:55pm EST.
• Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL

Penn State made it all the way to the Big Ten Tournament Final, which is the reason they grabbed a bid to the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

But although the Nittany Lions looked good beating their Big Ten rivals, Texas A&M is a different beast. The SEC Tournament runner ups have gone 12-3 straight up in their last 15.

Texas A&M point guard Wade Taylor IV is one of the best in the nation. Although the Crimson Tide blasted A&M in the SEC title game, the Aggies upset Bama in a contest during the regular season. The Aggies have a chance to be this season’s Cinderella squad.

NCAAB Betting Pick: Texas A&M Aggies -2.5

VCU Rams vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels

• When: Friday, March 17th, 2023. 1:50pm EST.
• Where: MVP Arena, Albany, NY

Saint Mary’s is a good team, but it’s difficult to believe they’re more than 2 points better than VCU. The Gaels upset Gonzaga during the regular season, which might be the reason they’re a 5-seed.

VCU finished their season going 9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS. The Rams head into this as winners of 3 straight SU and ATS. Don’t be surprised if the Rams take this straight up.

NCAAB Betting Pick: VCU Rams +4.5

Vermont Catamounts vs. Marquette Golden Eagles

• When: Friday, March 17th, 2023. 2:45pm EST.
• Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH

The Catamounts are playing excellent basketball, but Vermont got a tough draw. Marquette was the best team in a better than usual Big East Conference.

The Golden Eagles won the Big East Tournament title as well as the conference regular season. Marquette beat Creighton, Xavier, and Connecticut this season. The Golden Eagles show how good they are with a win and cover.

NCAAB Betting Pick: Marquette Golden Eagles -11.5

Providence Friars vs. Kentucky Wildcats

• When: Friday, March 17th, 2023. 7:10pm EST.
• Where: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC

This should be a great game. Not because either one of these teams is playing well, but because both enter the tournament with a lot to prove.

Providence finished the season going 1-4 SU and ATS. Kentucky finished their season winning 5-of-7. However, the Wildcats lost to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament.

This can go either way. Coach Cal, though, knows how to win NCAA Tournament games. Give the Wildcats the edge.

NCAAB Betting Pick: Kentucky -3.5

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2023 March Madness previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest college basketball betting odds on our online bitcoin sportsbook.