NCAAB Picks: March Madness Round of 64 – Thurs, March 20

We’ve finally arrived at March Madness, as the First Four begins Tuesday night. However, the real action starts Thursday afternoon, and we have multiple March Madness picks for the slate. Let’s get into it, as the games begin at 12:15 PM ET on March 20.

No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia – 4:35 PM ET, Midwest Region – Wichita, Kansas

Mr. Sweet 16 himself, Mark Few, has Gonzaga back in the tournament for the 26th straight year, second only to Michigan State’s active streak. The Bulldogs were once ranked No. 3 in the country earlier this season, earning marquee wins over San Diego State and Baylor but falling short against West Virginia, Kentucky, UConn and UCLA. Despite a lower-than-usual seeding at No. 8, they enter the tournament as WCC champions after avenging two regular-season losses to Saint Mary’s in a strong final performance.

Georgia, led by head coach Mike White, has overachieved to reach this stage. With an elite freshman in Asa Newell, a volatile shooter in Blue Cain, a tough guard in Silas Demary and a physical frontcourt that will challenge Gonzaga’s inside game, the Georgia Bulldogs are no joke. However, Georgia lacks tournament experience and struggled away from home this season, making neutral-site play a tough adjustment.

The key to this game lies in foul trouble and turnovers. Georgia relies on getting to the free-throw line, and Gonzaga’s leading scorer, big man Graham Ike, has had foul issues at times. However, Gonzaga plays disciplined defense without fouling and ranks fifth nationally in free-throw percentage, a major advantage. Additionally, Gonzaga forces turnovers at a high rate, while Georgia has struggled with ball control all year. Expect Gonzaga to control the tempo, score off turnovers and secure a decisive victory in this 8-9 matchup.

Our Pick: Ryan Nembhard to Record 12+ Points

No. 11 Drake vs. No. 6 Missouri – 7:35 PM ET, West Region – Wichita, Kansas

This matchup features two of the best stories in college basketball. Under Dennis Gates, Missouri went winless in the SEC last year but enters this year’s tournament as the No. 15 team in KenPom, an incredible turnaround. However, their draw is tough, as Drake enters the tournament with 30 wins and a disciplined, methodical style of play that could cause problems for the Tigers.

Drake’s success under Ben McCollum, a coach with a history of dominance at the Division II level, is a remarkable story. He brought a group of D2 players with him and turned them into a force. Drake thrives on rebounding, efficiency, and ball control, ranking among the most disciplined teams in the country. Missouri, on the other hand, is hyper-athletic and plays at one of the fastest paces in college basketball.

The opening minutes of this game will be crucial. If Drake can grab an early lead and slow the game down, they have a real shot at pulling the upset. The Bulldogs excel at offensive rebounding, while Missouri struggles to secure defensive boards. If Drake can generate second-chance opportunities, they can disrupt Missouri’s tempo. However, Missouri’s pressure defense is elite at forcing turnovers, an area where the Bulldogs have shown vulnerability.

Drake will look to exploit Missouri’s over-aggressive defense by getting to the free-throw line, but Missouri’s sheer athleticism presents a challenge Drake has yet to face this season. This game could easily come down to the final minute, with the team dictating tempo likely emerging victorious.

Our Pick: Mark Mitchell to Record 15+ Points

No. 11 VCU vs. No. 6 BYU – 4:05 PM ET, East Region – Denver, Colorado

This game features a fascinating clash of styles. VCU boasts the No. 1 defense in the country in terms of effective field goal percentage allowed, making life miserable for teams that rely on attacking the paint. BYU, however, lives and dies by the three-point shot, ranking among the highest-volume three-point shooting teams in the nation while shooting an efficient 37.4% from deep.

Unfortunately for BYU, VCU’s defensive strategy focuses on running shooters off the three-point line and funneling them into their shot-blocking duo of Luke Bamgboye (2.2 blocks per game) and Christian Fermin (1.5 blocks per game). This could spell trouble for BYU, whose guards lack the length and athleticism to thrive in contested situations. VCU’s defense should make things difficult for the Cougars’ perimeter attack.

On the other end, VCU is comfortable launching threes themselves, ranking 27th in three-point attempts per game. However, their efficiency from deep is just 33.5%, making their reliance on the outside shot somewhat risky. BYU, meanwhile, struggles to defend the three, often giving up open looks. This presents an opportunity for VCU, especially with their ability to dominate the offensive glass – they rank 12th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage.

One major factor working against VCU is travel. They just won the A-10 tournament in Washington, D.C., and now must adjust to playing at altitude in Denver on Thursday. BYU, on the other hand, is comfortable in this environment and should have a conditioning advantage.

With a fifth-year point guard in Zeb Jackson leading the way, VCU has the experience to keep this game close, but their success may depend on how well they adapt to the altitude challenge.

Our Pick: Max Shulga to Make 3+ Three Pointers