March Madness Second-Round Predictions: Expert Picks & Odds for Every Round 2 Game
How our updated March Madness bracket will look after the first four days of the NCAA Tournament remains to be seen, but we're rolling ahead now with the Round of 32 set to conclude on Sunday. By the end of the day we'll know what teams have advanced into the Sweet 16.
We've compiled all of our best March Madness second-round predictions, expert picks, and live odds for every game of the NCAA Tournament as part of our March Madness predictions, including the thrilling contests set for Sunday.
Florida, Duke, and Alabama are getting the most action against the spread at BetMGM, while Colorado State, Kentucky, and UConn are generating the most moneyline tickets.
👉 Want AI-driven bracket insights? Check out our full March Madness AI bracket predictions with score predictions for every game.
🏀 March Madness predictions & expert picks for Sunday
🔮 Kentucky vs. Illinois prediction (5:15 p.m. ET)
Illinois and Kentucky are practically mirror images due to their respective metric profiles, with both teams boasting a top-15 offensive efficiency and defenses that lag slightly behind that level. The comparisons extend to the preferred pace at which this game could unfold, with both squads operating at a top-25 adjusted tempo in the country.
Illinois dispatched a feisty Xavier team in the first round, a far more difficult task than Kentucky’s handling of Troy. Illinois has been mediocre against the spread this season, but the Illini’s profile improves considerably when featured as a favorite. Illinois is 15-11 against the spread as the favored side.
We like the Illini to neutralize Kentucky’s strength from behind the arc, as Illinois ranks third in the nation in limiting opposing 3-point percentage. With both teams trotting out elite offenses, we’re siding with Illinois, which holds the clear edge on defense (29th in effective field-goal percentage defensively, compared to 143rd for Kentucky).
After an 8-0 ATS run for the Big Ten in the opening round of the tournament, we like Illinois to keep that rolling for the conference on Sunday.
✅ Illinois to cover the spread: -1.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kentucky vs. Illinois prediction made by Brenden Schaeffer.
Kentucky vs. Illinois odds
🔮 Alabama vs. Saint Mary's prediction (6:10 p.m. ET)
The Gaels won't be able to keep the Crimson Tide under control. The Crimson Tide struggled in the first round against the Robert Morris Colonials, trailing 65-64 with just 7:10 remaining. Then the offense came to life and the Crimson Tide put the game away.
This spread feels like a massive overreaction to how the Crimson Tide played in the first round. They beat the Auburn Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats right before the tournament, so writing Alabama off after sleepwalking against an inferior opponent seems unwise.
And when you consider the Gaels didn’t look great in their first-round win, this spread seems way too favorable to them. The Crimson Tide will speed this game up and knock down enough shots to win easily.
✅ Alabama to cover the spread: -5.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alabama vs. Saint Mary's prediction made by Phil Wood.
Alabama vs. Saint Mary's odds
🔮 Maryland vs. Colorado State prediction (7:10 p.m. ET)
The Big Ten went 8-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Mountain West is 2-2 - San Diego State and Utah State got smoked, but both Colorado State and New Mexico advanced. I’m still skeptical of the conference and its representatives, especially when compared to this red-hot Maryland team.
The advanced stats paint a rosy picture of Maryland. Since February 1, the Terps rank sixth in T-Rank led by their first-ranked defense. Importantly, Maryland is 15th in 3-point percentage allowed through that stretch at 28.3%. Colorado State is a very solid 19th in T-Rank, but its offense has depended upon its third-ranked 3-point percentage (43%).
If Maryland can maintain its strong defensive form and limit Colorado State’s efficiency from beyond the arc, this one could be ugly from the jump. Back Maryland to cover a modest 7-point spread before this line ticks up to 7.5.
✅ Maryland to cover the spread: -7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maryland vs. Colorado State prediction made by Brenden Schaeffer.
Maryland vs. Colorado State odds
🔮 Iowa State vs. Ole Miss prediction (7:45 p.m. ET)
The Rebels barely survived a furious comeback from the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round after holding a lead as high as 22. The Tar Heels then cut that to two, but the Rebels held on for the seven-point victory. Rather than dwell on the near collapse, I’ll focus on what the Rebels did well.
The Rebels shot 40% from beyond the arc while outrebounding the Tar Heels 40-34. Sean Pedulla was excellent, leading the way with 20 points while making huge shots every time the Rebels were in need. The Rebels have now won four of their last six games, and their only two losses during that stretch were to the highly talented Florida Gators and Auburn Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Cyclones were essentially perfect in their first game. They shot 58.3% from the field while pulling away early and never looking back.
However, I’m not putting much stock in that blowout. The Cyclones didn't feel the absence of Keshon Gilbert much in the first round. But that will change now, as the battle-tested Rebels should keep this close and potentially pull off the upset.
✅ Ole Miss to cover the spread: +5.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Iowa State vs. Ole Miss prediction made by Phil Wood.
Iowa State vs. Ole Miss odds
🔮 Michigan State vs. New Mexico prediction (8:40 p.m. ET)
While Michigan State - who are among the March Madness odds contenders - uses its tempo as an advantage over most teams, Richard Pitino’s bunch will not be fazed, as it plays at the sixth-fastest tempo in the country. With this Spartans team ranking outside the top 300 in 3-point shooting, I'm taking the Lobos to cover.
✅ New Mexico to cover the spread: +7.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Michigan State vs. New Mexico made by Mike Spector.
Michigan State vs. New Mexico odds
🔮 Arizona vs. Oregon prediction (9:40 p.m. ET)
Arizona dominated the two head-to-head regular-season meetings last year, beating Oregon 87-78 and 103-83. But Altman showed his ability to adjust, conjuring a masterful game plan in a 67-59 win in last year’s Pac-12 Tournament semifinals.
The Ducks have much more size this season with 7-foot Nate Bittle healthy (he was limited to six games last season) to compete with Arizona’s frontcourt.
Oregon’s only loss since Feb. 8 is to Michigan State, and the Ducks should be well rested for this matchup, with no player playing more than 27 minutes in Friday’s rout of Liberty.
As of this writing, bet365 is the only shop where one can back the Ducks at +4, as the rest of our best sportsbooks are a half-point lower at +3.5.
✅ Oregon to cover the spread: +4 ⭐⭐⭐
Arizona vs. Oregon prediction made by Mike Spector.
Arizona vs. Oregon odds
💰 March Madness betting odds pages
| March Madness odds | March Madness MVP odds |
| Women's March Madness odds | March Madness MVP predictions |
| Final Four odds | March Madness prop bets |
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