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Men’s NCAA basketball tournament: Odds, spreads and totals for every game of the first round

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Men’s NCAA basketball tournament: Odds, spreads and totals for every game of the first round

The 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament is nearly upon us, with the field of 68 teams announced and the First Four matchups set to tip off on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida are the four No. 1 seeds, and are heavy favorites to win their first round matchups.

In the First Four, UMBC is a slight favorite over Howard and NC State are slight favorites over Texas. Texas owns a head-to-head win over NC State from the Maui Invitational on a neutral court from earlier in the season.

On Wednesday night, SMU have opened as significant favorites over Miami (OH), who went undefeated in the regular season. Lastly, Patriot League champion Lehigh have opened as slight favorites over the SWAC champion Prairie View A&M.

MORE: Odds for every team to advance, win championship

Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook as of latest time-stamp and are subject to change.

TUESDAY– First Four

(16) UMBC Retrievers -1.5
(16) Howard Bison

Dayton, OH, 6:40 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
UMBC Retrievers (-120)
Howard Bison (+EVEN)
Total: 139.5
UMBC: 24-8, 14-2 in Am. East play
Howard: 23-10, 11-3 in MEAC play

BPI Projection: UMBC Retrievers by 1.5 points, straight up 55.9% of the time


(11) Texas Longhorns
(11) NC State Wolfpack -1.5

Dayton, OH, 9:15 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Texas Longhorns (-105)
NC State Wolfpack (-115)
Total: 158.5
Texas: 18-14, 9-9 in SEC play
NC State: 20-13, 10-8 in ACC play

BPI Projection: NC State Wolfpack by 0.1 points, straight up 50.2% of the time


WEDNESDAY

(16) Prairie View A&M Panthers
(16) Lehigh Mountain Hawks -3.5

Dayton, OH, 6:40 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Prairie View A&M Panthers (+140)
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (-166)
Total: 142.5
Prairie View A&M: 18-17, 9-9 in SWAC play
Lehigh: 18-16, 11-7 in PAT play

BPI Projection: Lehigh Mountain Hawks by 0.9 points, straight up 53.7% of the time


(11) Miami (OH) RedHawks
(11) SMU Mustangs -6.5

Dayton, OH, 9:15 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Miami (OH) RedHawks (+250)
SMU Mustangs (-310)
Total: 164.5
Miami (OH): 31-1, 18-0 in MAC play
SMU: 20-13, 8-10 in ACC play

BPI Projection: SMU Mustangs by 6.7 points, straight up 74.5% of the time


THURSDAY

(9) TCU Horned Frogs
(8) Ohio State Buckeyes -2.5

Greenville, SC, 12:15 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
TCU Horned Frogs (+120)
Ohio State Buckeyes (-142)
Total: 146.5
TCU: 22-11, 11-7 in Big 12 play
Ohio State: 21-12, 12-8 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: Ohio State Buckeyes by 4 points, straight up 65.4% of the time


(13) Troy Trojans
(4) Nebraska Cornhuskers -12.5

Oklahoma City, OK, 12:40 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Troy Trojans (+650)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (-1000)
Total: 137.5
Troy: 22-11, 12-6 in Sun Belt play
Nebraska: 26-6, 15-5 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: Nebraska Cornhuskers by 15.9 points, straight up 92.7% of the time


(11) South Florida Bulls
(6) Louisville Cardinals -5.5

Buffalo, NY, 1:30 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
South Florida Bulls (+185)
Louisville Cardinals (-225)
Total: 165.5
South Florida: 24-8, 15-3 in American play
Louisville: 23-10, 11-7 in ACC play

BPI Projection: Louisville Cardinals by 9.1 points, straight up 81% of the time


(12) High Point Panthers
(5) Wisconsin Badgers -9.5

Portland, OR, 1:50 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
High Point Panthers (+360)
Wisconsin Badgers (-470)
Total: 164.5
High Point: 30-4, 15-1 in Big South play
Wisconsin: 24-10, 14-6 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: Wisconsin Badgers by 7.3 points, straight up 76.3% of the time


(16) Siena Saints
(1) Duke Blue Devils -29.5

Greenville, SC, 2:50 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Siena Saints (+3500)
Duke Blue Devils (-20000)
Total: 136.5
Siena: 23-11, 13-7 in MAAC play
Duke: 32-2, 17-1 in ACC play

BPI Projection: Duke Blue Devils by 28.9 points, straight up 99% of the time


(12) McNeese Cowboys
(5) Vanderbilt Commodores -11.5

Oklahoma City, OK, 3:15 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
McNeese Cowboys (+455)
Vanderbilt Commodores (-625)
Total: 150.5
McNeese: 28-5, 19-3 in Southland play
Vanderbilt: 26-7, 11-7 in SEC play

BPI Projection: Vanderbilt Commodores by 9.2 points, straight up 81.2% of the time


(14) North Dakota State Bison
(3) Michigan State Spartans -16.5

Buffalo, NY, 4:05 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
North Dakota State Bison (+1000)
Michigan State Spartans (-1800)
Total: 143.5
North Dakota State: 27-7, 14-2 in Summit play
Michigan State: 25-7, 15-5 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: Michigan State Spartans by 17.4 points, straight up 94.2% of the time


(13) Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
(4) Arkansas Razorbacks -15.5

Portland, OR, 4:25 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (+800)
Arkansas Razorbacks (-1350)
Total: 160.5
Hawai’i: 24-8, 14-6 in Big West play
Arkansas: 25-8, 13-5 in SEC play

BPI Projection: Arkansas Razorbacks by 15 points, straight up 91.6% of the time


(11) VCU Rams
(6) North Carolina Tar Heels -2.5

Greenville, SC, 6:50 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
VCU Rams (+120)
North Carolina Tar Heels (-142)
Total: 154.5
VCU: 26-7, 15-3 in A-10 play
North Carolina: 24-8, 12-6 in ACC play

BPI Projection: North Carolina Tar Heels by 2.9 points, straight up 61.5% of the time


(16) Howard Bison/ UMBC Retrievers
(1) Michigan Wolverines

Buffalo, NY, 7:10 p.m. ET

Betting lines TBD

Michigan: 31-2, 19-1 in Big Ten play


(11) NC State Wolfpack/ Texas Longhorns
(6) BYU Cougars

Portland, OR, 7:25 p.m. ET

Betting lines TBD

BYU: 23-11, 9-9 in Big 12 play


(10) Texas A&M Aggies
(7) Saint Mary’s Gaels -3.5

Oklahoma City, OK, 7:35 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Texas A&M Aggies (+136)
Saint Mary’s Gaels (-162)
Total: 147.5
Texas A&M: 21-11, 11-7 in SEC play
Saint Mary’s: 27-5, 16-2 in WCC play

BPI Projection: Saint Mary’s Gaels by 0.8 points, straight up 53.2% of the time


(14) Pennsylvania Quakers
(3) Illinois Fighting Illini -24.5

Greenville, SC, 9:25 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Pennsylvania Quakers (+2000)
Illinois Fighting Illini (-6500)
Total: 150.5
Pennsylvania: 17-11, 9-5 in Ivy play
Illinois: 24-8, 15-5 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: Illinois Fighting Illini by 22.4 points, straight up 97.3% of the time


(9) Saint Louis Billikens
(8) Georgia Bulldogs -2.5

Buffalo, NY, 9:45 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Saint Louis Billikens (+136)
Georgia Bulldogs (-162)
Total: 169.5
Saint Louis: 28-5, 15-3 in A-10 play
Georgia: 22-10, 10-8 in SEC play

BPI Projection: Georgia Bulldogs by 0.2 points, straight up 50.9% of the time


(14) Kennesaw State Owls
(3) Gonzaga Bulldogs -20.5

Portland, OR, 10 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Kennesaw State Owls (+1400)
Gonzaga Bulldogs (-3200)
Total: 154.5
Kennesaw State: 21-13, 10-10 in C-USA play
Gonzaga: 30-3, 16-2 in WCC play

BPI Projection: Gonzaga Bulldogs by 19.2 points, straight up 95.6% of the time


(15) Idaho Vandals
(2) Houston Cougars -23.5

Oklahoma City, OK, 10:10 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Idaho Vandals (+2200)
Houston Cougars (-8000)
Total: 136.5
Idaho: 13-20, 5-13 in Big Sky play
Houston: 28-6, 14-4 in Big 12 play

BPI Projection: Houston Cougars by 25.1 points, straight up 98.2% of the time


FRIDAY

(10) Santa Clara Broncos
(7) Kentucky Wildcats -3.5

St. Louis, MO, 12:15 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Santa Clara Broncos (+140)
Kentucky Wildcats (-166)
Total: 160.5
Santa Clara: 26-8, 15-3 in WCC play
Kentucky: 21-13, 10-8 in SEC play

BPI Projection: Kentucky Wildcats by 6 points, straight up 72.2% of the time


(12) Akron Zips
(5) Texas Tech Red Raiders -7.5

Tampa, FL, 12:40 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Akron Zips (+260)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (-325)
Total: 156.5
Akron: 29-5, 17-1 in MAC play
Texas Tech: 22-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play

BPI Projection: Texas Tech Red Raiders by 9.5 points, straight up 81.9% of the time


(16) Long Island University Sharks
(1) Arizona Wildcats -31.5

San Diego, CA, 1:35 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Long Island University Sharks (+5000)
Arizona Wildcats (-100000)
Total: 151.5
Long Island University: 24-10, 15-3 in NEC play
Arizona: 32-2, 16-2 in Big 12 play

BPI Projection: Arizona Wildcats by 28.5 points, straight up 99% of the time


(14) Wright State Raiders
(3) Virginia Cavaliers -18.5

Philadelphia, 1:50 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Wright State Raiders (+1200)
Virginia Cavaliers (-2400)
Total: 145.5
Wright State: 23-11, 15-5 in Horizon play
Virginia: 29-5, 15-3 in ACC play

BPI Projection: Virginia Cavaliers by 16.2 points, straight up 93% of the time


(15) Tennessee State Tigers
(2) Iowa State Cyclones -25.5

St. Louis, MO, 2:50 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Tennessee State Tigers (+2200)
Iowa State Cyclones (-8000)
Total: 149.5
Tennessee State: 23-9, 15-5 in OVC play
Iowa State: 27-7, 12-6 in Big 12 play

BPI Projection: Iowa State Cyclones by 25.6 points, straight up 98.4% of the time


(13) Hofstra Pride
(4) Alabama Crimson Tide -12.5

Tampa, FL, 3:15 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Hofstra Pride (+625)
Alabama Crimson Tide (-950)
Total: 159.5
Hofstra: 24-10, 12-6 in CAA play
Alabama: 23-9, 13-5 in SEC play

BPI Projection: Alabama Crimson Tide by 13.8 points, straight up 90.1% of the time


(9) Utah State Aggies -2.5
(8) Villanova Wildcats

San Diego, CA, 4:10 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Utah State Aggies (-135)
Villanova Wildcats (+114)
Total: 147.5
Utah State: 28-6, 15-5 in MW play
Villanova: 24-8, 15-5 in Big East play

BPI Projection: Utah State Aggies by 0.4 points, straight up 51.6% of the time


(11) SMU Mustangs/ Miami (OH) RedHawks
(6) Tennessee Volunteers

Philadelphia, 4:25 p.m. ET

Betting lines TBD

Tennessee: 22-11, 11-7 in SEC play


(9) Iowa Hawkeyes -2.5
(8) Clemson Tigers

Tampa, FL, 6:50 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Iowa Hawkeyes (-135)
Clemson Tigers (+114)
Total: 129.5
Iowa: 21-12, 10-10 in Big Ten play
Clemson: 24-10, 12-6 in ACC play

BPI Projection: Clemson Tigers by 0.1 points, straight up 50.6% of the time


(12) Northern Iowa Panthers
(5) St. John’s Red Storm -10.5

San Diego, CA, 7:10 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Northern Iowa Panthers (+440)
St. John’s Red Storm (-600)
Total: 131.5
Northern Iowa: 23-12, 11-9 in MVC play
St. John’s: 28-6, 18-2 in Big East play

BPI Projection: St. John’s Red Storm by 10.8 points, straight up 85% of the time


(10) UCF Knights
(7) UCLA Bruins -5.5

Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
UCF Knights (+200)
UCLA Bruins (-245)
Total: 152.5
UCF: 21-11, 9-9 in Big 12 play
UCLA: 23-11, 13-7 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: UCLA Bruins by 6 points, straight up 72.2% of the time


(15) Queens University Royals
(2) Purdue Boilermakers -25.5

St. Louis, MO, 7:35 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Queens University Royals (+2200)
Purdue Boilermakers (-8000)
Total: 163.5
Queens University: 21-13, 13-5 in ASUN play
Purdue: 26-8, 13-7 in Big Ten play

BPI Projection: Purdue Boilermakers by 23.8 points, straight up 97.8% of the time


(16) Lehigh Mountain Hawks/ Prairie View A&M Panthers
(1) Florida Gators

Tampa, FL, 9:25 p.m. ET

Betting lines TBD

Florida: 26-7, 16-2 in SEC play


(13) California Baptist Lancers
(4) Kansas Jayhawks -14.5

San Diego, CA, 9:45 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
California Baptist Lancers (+750)
Kansas Jayhawks (-1200)
Total: 137.5
California Baptist: 25-8, 13-5 in WAC play
Kansas: 23-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play

BPI Projection: Kansas Jayhawks by 15.8 points, straight up 92.6% of the time


(15) Furman Paladins
(2) UConn Huskies -20.5

Philadelphia, 10 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Furman Paladins (+1700)
UConn Huskies (-4500)
Total: 137.5
Furman: 22-12, 10-8 in SoCon play
Uconn: 29-5, 17-3 in Big East play

BPI Projection: UConn Huskies by 20.6 points, straight up 96.4% of the time


(10) Missouri Tigers
(7) Miami Hurricanes -1.5

St. Louis, MO, 10:10 p.m. ET

Moneyline:
Missouri Tigers (+110)
Miami Hurricanes (-130)
Total: 147.5
Missouri: 20-12, 10-8 in SEC play
Miami: 25-8, 13-5 in ACC play

BPI Projection: Miami Hurricanes by 1.3 points, straight up 55.1% of the time


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