March Madness expert picks: Our first round predictions for 2024 NCAA men's tournament

2024-12-19 11:51:33 Markets

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

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(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