Have you entered the VSiN March Bracket Challenge yet? You have until 11:45 a.m. ET today to register for the contest and make your picks. Read the rules and sign up for a chance to win $5K.
FYI: We’ve set up a separate competition in parallel for Team VSiN. Check out who has entered and their picks, including mine!
The Madness begins
There is nothing better than the NCAA opening weekend in Las Vegas. Not the Super Bowl. Not New Year’s Eve.
Wish you were here.
And if you are, please stop by the VSiN studio at Circa and say hello.
We have a lot to cover here, so let’s keep it simple:
If you go to one link, this is the one I would use to see the depth and breadth of our tournament coverage.
(That’s assuming you already have downloaded and read the VSiN March Mania Betting Guide. You can get the guide and everything else we do for the next 30 days for just $9.99. Sign up here.)
If you want to savor your victories and find solace in your bracket busters, make sure you tune into VSiN today.
16 first-round previews
We have previews for every game and I’ve included links to our matchup pages, which include lines, ATS records, splits and picks (for VSiN Pro subscribers).
>Creighton vs. Louisville (12:15 p.m. ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup page
>High Point vs. Purdue (12:40 p.m. ET, truTV). Preview / Matchup page
>Montana vs. Wisconsin (1:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Preview / Matchup page
>SIU Edwardsville vs. Houston (2:00 p.m. ET, TBS). Preview / Matchup page
>Alabama State vs. Auburn (2:50 p.m. ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup page
>McNeese vs. Clemson (3:15 pm. ET, truTV). Preview / Matchup page
>VCU vs. BYU (4:05 p.m. ET, TNT). Preview / Matchup page
>Georgia vs. Gonzaga (4:35 p.m. ET, TBS). Preview / Matchup page
>Wofford vs. Tennessee (6:50 p.m. ET, TNT). Preview / Matchup page
>Arkansas vs. Kansas (7:10 p.m. ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup page
>Yale vs. Texas A&M (7:25 p.m. ET, TBS). Preview / Matchup page
>Drake vs. Missouri (7:35 p.m. ET, truTV). Preview / Matchup page
>Utah State vs. UCLA (9:25 p.m. ET, TNT). Preview / Matchup page
>Omaha vs. St. John’s (9:45 p.m. ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup page
>UC San Diego vs. Michigan (10 p.m. ET). Preview / Matchup page
>UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech (10:10 p.m. ET). Preview / Matchup page
Go deeper on today’s games with Steve Makinen‘s first-round analytics report, full of trends and betting systems.
Picks & Best Bets
The Circa College Hoops Challenge resumed last night with the 15 contestants making 12 first-round selections.
Texas pro handicapper Paul Stone and VSiN host Tim Murray are atop the standings through the first four weeks of the competition.
>>All 180 selections are listed here.
Worth noting: Georgia (+6.5) vs. Gonzaga was the unanimous pick by 10 contestants.
Best Bets columns for today’s action:
>Adam Burke (later this morning)
VSiN fan contribution: Artie “The Swami” Alonzo (1-0, thanks to Xavier covering the -2.5 vs. Texas last night) weighs in:
BYU -2.5: I think that the BYU pro offense is tough to prepare for and despite how good defensively VCU is I don’t think they have the dogs to slow this team down. I think BYU blows them out!
UC San Diego +2.5: The Swami hit last night — and my agreement with Bill is one game a night (short and sweet), but The Swami can’t help himself. I like this very professional offense that takes advantage of turnovers!
>VSiN Pro picks for the tournament (more than 400!).
The March Mania Bracket Guide has brackets from 13 VSiN staffers. Here is what Brent Musburger‘s looks like.
Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen will have his plays later this morning.
NHL: Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later, too.
Tennis: Zach has posted his plays for today’s action at the Miami Open.
Horse Racing: 1/ST BET handicapper Jeremy Plonk offers his picks for today’s Gulfstream card. 1/ST Bet offers wagering on hundreds of races every day from across the country and around the world. Sign up at 1STBET.COM with promo code VSIN200 to claim a 20% rebate for your first 60 days, up to $200.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Thursday, March 20. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
