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Free NCAA Tournament Betting Picks for March Madness First Round

by Jeremy Block - 3/17/2026

Free NCAA Tournament betting picks Labaron Philon Alabama Crimson Tide

Finally, it’s the most wonderful time of the year—and no, I’m not talking about Christmas or the Super Bowl. March Madness is back, and it’s time to start locking in those brackets, and putting your email on Do Not Disturb. The Round of 64 tips off this Thursday, March 19, and there’s a full lineup of games you don’t want to miss, especially if you’re trying to make a little money from your couch.

For most people filling out a bracket, every round turns into a guessing game. You talk yourself into a few upsets, convince yourself you’ve got it all figured out, and then watch it fall apart by the end of the first weekend. Lucky for you, here at Doc Sports Service, I’ve got four first-round picks that are likely money-makers. So, let’s get right into it and see which four teams are worth putting your money on.

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

#12 McNeese State vs. #5 Vanderbilt

Point Spread

McNeese State: +11 (-110)

Vanderbilt: -11 (-110)

Over: 149.5 (-115)

Under: 150.5 (-110)

Moneyline: McNeese State +460, Vanderbilt -615

Leading off my picks, we have a 12 vs 5 matchup between the McNeese Cowboys and the Vanderbilt Commodores. I’m warning you now, this game has upset written all over it. The 5-seed has won this matchup 35% of the time, and this feels like one of those spots.

Look, let’s not get things twisted. Vanderbilt is a dangerous offensive team that loves to push the tempo. It’s putting up 86.4 points per game to McNeese’s 80, has a deeper lineup of scorers, and can fill it up on all three levels. 

So where’s the angle? Defense. McNeese ranks 24th in the country in points allowed, giving up just 66.2 per game, and it forces 10.5 steals a night. This team has been a defensive stopper all season, and loves to disrupt offenses, and that could be trouble for the Commodores.

As for offense, McNeese is limited. Only three players average double figures, led by Larry Johnson at 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, with T’yshawn Archie adding another 14.3 points. It’s not built to go shot-for-shot with a team like Vanderbilt, especially if the pace gets pushed.

But the Cowboys have been in these kinds of games before. This team knows how to slow things down, apply pressure, and keep opponents from getting comfortable. Add in the history of the 5-seed vs 12-seed, and I’m taking McNeese getting the points. This is just too many points to pass up on for a team that can defend like this.

#12 Akron vs. #5 Texas Tech

Point Spread

Akron: +8 (-110)

Texas Tech: -8 (-110)

Over: 156.5 (-110)

Under: 156.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Akron +280, Texas Tech -350

The 12-versus-5 matchup always comes with a twist in March Madness, and this year is no different. Looking at the way things have lined up, I’ve got no choice here—I’m backing the Akron Zips getting the points against Texas Tech. 

If you asked me a month ago to pick a winner, I’d take the Red Raiders a hundred times over. But since it is without its leading scorer and rebounder, JT Toppin, who was averaging a team-high 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. That changes everything. All signs point to the Zips covering the spread, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Offensively, Akron may be one of the most dangerous teams in this tournament. It’s averaging 88.4 points per game, ranking seventh in the nation in scoring, shooting 50% from the floor and 37% from deep, and it has four players averaging double digits. That’s bad news for Texas Tech, especially without its main engine suiting up.

Defensively, Akron surrenders 73 points per game, which isn’t exactly elite, but when an offense is this potent, it’s not a huge problem. And Texas Tech without its go-to scoring option? That just makes the Zips life easier.

Bottom line: from the jump, Texas Tech is already in a tough spot. Without Toppin, coming off a three-game winning streak, everything is aligning for an early-round exit. Vegas doesn’t see it that way, which makes this a gift. Akron has the healthier, deeper, more potent lineup and everything it needs to take care of a banged-up Texas Tech. Give me Akron and the points.

#9 Saint Louis vs #8 Georgia 

Point Spread

Saint Louis: +2 (-110)

Georgia: -2 (-110)

Over: 170 (-110)

Under: 170 (-110)

Moneyline: Saint Louis +120, Georgia -140

Jumping right into the 9-seed vs 8-seed, the St. Louis Billikens take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Both teams are coming off conference tournament losses and are looking to get back in the win column. And even though the eight vs. nine game has historically been a coin flip, I have the Billikens winning this outright.

On paper, both teams bring scoring threats and can light it up in a hurry. St. Louis averages 87.2 points per game, Georgia 89.8. Both teams shoot the ball well—The Bilikens are shooting 51% from the field, and the Bulldogs at 47%. So if the scoring looks somewhat even, where's the edge? Rebounding and defense.

St. Louis has been just as efficient on defense as it has on offense, giving up 69.5 points per game and grabbing nearly 40 rebounds a night, mostly thanks to senior 6'10” big man Robbie Avila, who’s leading the team with 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and protecting the paint. Georgia, on the other hand, has had massive defensive issues all season, surrendering 79 points per game and has shown no signs of improvement.

Look, I expect Georgia to come out hungry, with leading scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson looking to bounce back after a quiet 8-point conference tournament showing. 

But St. Louis runs a disciplined offense that exploits defensive gaps, and Georgia has shown vulnerabilities on that end all season. This game stays tight early, but the Billikens' defensive edge pulls them through. Take St. Louis and the points

#13 Hofstra vs. #4 Alabama

Point Spread

Hofstra: +11.5 (-110)

Alabama: -11.5 (-110)

Over: 159.5 (-110)

Under: 159.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Hofstra +580, Alabama -850

Wrapping up my picks for the first round, the 4-seed Alabama Crimson Tide will match up with 13-seed Hofstra. And while everyone loves a Cinderella story, it’s not happening here for the Pride.

Sure, Hofstra comes in on a five-game win streak and has some momentum, but it’s going head-to-head with a dangerous SEC team that does not take no for an answer on offense. Alabama averages 91.7 points per game, first in the nation, compared to Hofstra’s 75.6. 

The Crimson Tide have six players averaging double digits, led by Labaron Philon with 21.7 points and 4.7 assists per game, followed by Aden Holloway with 16.8 points per night. Hofstra, meanwhile, leans heavily on Cruz Davis, who posts 22.2 points per game, with Preston Edmead chipping in just under 16 a game, and the rest of the team averaging under 10. If that doesn’t tell you something, I don’t know what will.

Now, while Hofstra surrenders just 66 points per game, which is solid, don’t forget those numbers come against weaker competition in the CAA. Against a Crimson Tide team that’s consistently in the tournament and the nation’s top offenses, the Pride are outmatched on every level. 

I’m expecting Alabama to run Hofstra out of the gym and take this one by a landslide. Don’t be afraid to lay the points with the Crimson Tide in the first round.

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