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UConn coach Dan Hurley and players react during the first half of the tema’s NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s in the semifinals of the Big East men’s tournament Friday, March 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Two of the best sporting days of the year are on the horizon as the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Thursday afternoon.
Let’s get you geared up for all 32 games with the latest schedule, odds, courtesy of DraftKings, and our predictions for each matchup.
Thursday, March 21
#8 Mississippi State vs. #9 Michigan State (12:15 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Spread: Michigan State -1
- Mississippi St. Moneyline: +100
- Michigan St. Moneyline: -120
- Over/Under: 130.5
- Prediction: Mississippi State
- Why? The duo of guard Josh Hubbard and big man Tolu Smith prove too much for the Spartans, who struggled mightily against Purdue’s 7-foot star, Josh Edey in the Big 10 Tournament.
#6 BYU vs. #11 Duquesne (12:40 p.m., truTV)
- Spread: BYU -9.5
- Duquesne Moneyline: +370
- BYU Moneyline: -485
- Over/Under: 142
- Prediction: BYU
- Why? It will not be easy considering Duquesne’s defense against three-pointers is one of the best in the country (29.5% vs. A-10 opponents) and BYU’s offense spends plenty of time beyond the arc. But the Cougars are a fast, chaotic team that should pull through.
#3 Creighton vs. #14 Akron (1:30 p.m., TNT)
- Spread: Creighton -12.5
- Akron Moneyline: +600
- Creighton Moneyline: -900
- Over/Under: 141
- Prediction: Creighton
- Why? The Blue Jays are an experienced, efficient NCAA Tournament team that has top-10 odds to win the national championship. Akron is making its second appearance in 10 years and its path to the Big Dance was not pretty through the MAC Tournament.
#2 Arizona vs. #15 Long Beach State (2 p.m., TBS)
- Spread:…
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