Current:Home > reviewsMarch Madness expert picks: Our first round predictions for 2024 NCAA men's tournament -MoneyStream
March Madness expert picks: Our first round predictions for 2024 NCAA men's tournament
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-09 12:00:13
There's still plenty of time to fill in your March Madness brackets. By now you have considered this year's best upset picks and the top seeds (looking at you, North Carolina) that got the easiest path in their region.
If you're looking for more help, here's a look historically at how seeds have performed in the NCAA Tournament. UConn is a popular Final Four pick, but there's a reason why the East is considered the toughest of the four.
First Four games begin Tuesday night, but brackets aren't officially due until Thursday (before first round games tip off). If you need the full tournament schedule and where to watch on TV, here it is.
Here's a look at first round game picks from experts Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg and Dan Wolken:
East
(1) UConn vs. (16) Stetson
- Mendoza: UConn
- Myerberg: UConn
- Wolken: UConn
IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
(8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Northwestern
- Mendoza: Florida Atlantic
- Myerberg: Florida Atlantic
- Wolken: Northwestern
(5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB
- Mendoza: San Diego State
- Myerberg: San Diego State
- Wolken: UAB
(4) Auburn vs. (13) Yale
- Mendoza: Auburn
- Myerberg: Auburn
- Wolken: Auburn
(6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne
- Mendoza: Duquesne
- Myerberg: BYU
- Wolken: BYU
(3) Illinois vs. (14) Morehead State
- Mendoza: Illinois
- Myerberg: Illinois
- Wolken: Illinois
(7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake
- Mendoza: Washington State
- Myerberg: Washington State
- Wolken: Drake
(2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State
- Mendoza: Iowa State
- Myerberg: Iowa State
- Wolken: Iowa State
West
(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Howard/(16) Wagner
- Mendoza: North Carolina
- Myerberg: North Carolina
- Wolken: North Carolina
(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State
- Mendoza: Mississippi State
- Myerberg: Michigan State
- Wolken: Mississippi State
(5) Saint Mary's vs. (12) Grand Canyon
- Mendoza: Saint Mary's
- Myerberg: Saint Mary's
- Wolken: Saint Mary’s
(4) Alabama vs. (13) College of Charleston
- Mendoza: Alabama
- Myerberg: Alabama
- Wolken: College of Charleston
(6) Clemson vs. (11) New Mexico
- Mendoza: New Mexico
- Myerberg: Clemson
- Wolken: New Mexico
(3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate
- Mendoza: Baylor
- Myerberg: Baylor
- Wolken: Baylor
(7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada
- Mendoza: Nevada
- Myerberg: Dayton
- Wolken: Dayton
(2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State
- Mendoza: Arizona
- Myerberg: Arizona
- Wolken: Arizona
South
(1) Houston vs. (16) Longwood
- Mendoza: Houston
- Myerberg: Houston
- Wolken: Houston
(8) Nebraska vs. (9) Texas A&M
- Mendoza: Nebraska
- Myerberg: Nebraska
- Wolken: Nebraska
(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) James Madison
- Mendoza: JMU
- Myerberg: Wisconsin
- Wolken: JMU
(4) Duke vs. (13) Vermont
- Mendoza: Duke
- Myerberg: Duke
- Wolken: Duke
(6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State
- Mendoza: Texas Tech
- Myerberg: Texas Tech
- Wolken: Texas Tech
(3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland
- Mendoza: Kentucky
- Myerberg: Kentucky
- Wolken: Kentucky
(7) Florida vs. (10) Colorado/(10) Boise State
- Mendoza: Florida
- Myerberg: Boise State/Colorado
- Wolken: Boise State/Colorado
(2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky
- Mendoza: Marquette
- Myerberg: Marquette
- Wolken: Marquette
Midwest
(1) Purdue vs. (16) Grambling/Montana State
- Mendoza: Purdue
- Myerberg: Purdue
- Wolken: Purdue
(8) Utah State vs. (9) TCU
- Mendoza: Utah State
- Myerberg: Utah State
- Wolken: Utah State
(5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese
- Mendoza: McNeese
- Myerberg: Gonzaga
- Wolken: McNeese
(4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford
- Mendoza: Samford
- Myerberg: Kansas
- Wolken: Samford
(6) South Carolina vs. (11) Oregon
- Mendoza: Oregon
- Myerberg: South Carolina
- Wolken: Oregon
(3) Creighton vs. (14) Akron
- Mendoza: Creighton
- Myerberg: Creighton
- Wolken: Creighton
(7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State/(10) Virginia
- Mendoza: Colorado State/Virginia
- Myerberg: Texas
- Wolken: Texas
(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter's
- Mendoza: Tennessee
- Myerberg: Tennessee
- Wolken: Tennessee
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Georgia, Ohio State start at top of college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134
- Trump is set to hold his first outdoor rally since last month’s assassination attempt
- Former assistant dean of Texas college accused of shaking, striking infant son to death
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Lawsuit accuses Oregon police department of illegally monitoring progressive activists
- Nordstrom Rack Top 100 Deals: Score $148 Jeans for $40 & Save Up to 73% on Cotopaxi, Steve Madden & More
- Kelly Stafford Reveals What Husband Matthew Stafford Really Thinks About Her Baring All on Her Podcast
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Split: Look Back at Their Great Love Story
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Several factors may be behind feelings of hypochondria. Here are the most common ones.
- Here's What Jennifer Lopez Is Seeking in Ben Affleck Breakup
- 3 ways you could reduce your Social Security check by mistake
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Long recovery underway after deadly and destructive floods ravage Connecticut, New York
- The Latest: Walz is expected to accept the party’s nomination for vice president at DNC Day 3
- Beware of these potential fantasy football busts, starting with Texans WR Stefon Diggs
Recommendation
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Atlanta hospital accused of losing part of patient's skull following brain surgery: Lawsuit
Love Island USA's Nicole Jacky Shares Kendall Washington Broke Up With Her Two Days After Planning Trip
Trump is set to hold his first outdoor rally since last month’s assassination attempt
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Canada’s two major freight railroads may stop Thursday if contract dispute isn’t resolved
Hunter Biden’s lawyers, prosecutors headed back to court ahead of his trial on federal tax charges
Olympian Aly Raisman Shares Mental Health Advice for Jordan Chiles Amid Medal Controversy