The first day of the 2025 NCAA Tournament is in the books, and it lived up to the hype. We had upsets, choke jobs, and blow outs. It was an absolute buffet of college hoops. The good news is that the meal continues today with the second day of the first round. We’ve gone through the slate and found a trio of projections that you’ll want to consider for an Underdog Fantasy college basketball entry.
Keep in mind that playing all three legs of our plays in Underdog Fantasy could win you 6X your money on a single entry. Let’s dig into tonight’s plays and remember to let it ride!
Underdog Fantasy College Basketball Picks March 21
Matt Dewoskin Underdog Fantasy College Basketball Pick Em Record (Est 11/4/2024)
All Pick Em Selections: 192-167-4
Perfect 3-0 Pick Em Entries: 20-101
Nate Bittle Higher Than 7.5 Rebounds
Oregon draws Liberty in a first-round match up in the NCAA tournament tonight. Liberty comes into this game allowing opponents to average 34.7 rebounds per game this year. That’s 194th in the nation, and Conference USA teams rarely have the size that Big Ten teams can bring.
Oregon big man Nate Bittle enters this game averaging 7.4 rebounds per game this season. He’s gone higher than 7.5 rebounds in five of his last eight. He also routinely dominated the glass against opponents in the Oregon non-conference schedule this year. Bittle racked up at least eight boards in eight of 11 non-conference games this season.
Liberty has a few guys with size, but all of their regular bigs are under seven feet tall. Bittle should find room to clean the glass, and get plenty of opportunities to do so in this match up. Let’s lock up Bittle to go higher than 7.5 rebounds in today’s Underdog Fantasy college basketball entry.
Elliot Cadeau Higher Than 2.5 Turnovers
North Carolina gets Ole Miss in the first-round of the 2025 NCAA tournament. The Ole Miss defense averages 14.3 turnovers generated per game this year. That’s 30th in the nation. They’re going to make today’s game a challenge for North Carolina guard Elliot Cadeau.
Cadeau comes into this match up averaging 3.1 turnovers per game. This year, he faced Alabama, Florida, and Auburn in the non-conference slate. Cadeau went higher than 2.5 turnovers in two out of three games. In terms of recent play, Cadeau has been a bit better than his season average, but he’s still gone higher than 2.5 turnovers in six of his last 11 games.
Ole Miss is good at messing with opposing guards and taking away clear passing lanes. Cadeau has shown that he plays loose with the ball this year, and that’s exactly what you don’t want to do against a hungry Rebels defense. Look for Cadeau to go higher than 2.5 turnovers in this match up for your Underdog Fantasy college basketball entry for March 21st.
Augustus Marciulionis Higher Than 14.5 Points
St. Mary’s has to face Vanderbilt in the first-round of the 2025 NCAA tournament today. Vanderbilt allows opponents to average 74.8 points per game this year. That’s 239th in the nation. They also allow opponents to shoot 36.9% from beyond the arc. That’s 336th in the nation.
Vandy is also higher than 300th in the nation in average free throw attempts allowed, and free throw attempts made against this season.
This is a great match up for St. Mary’s point guard Augustus Marciulionis to go higher than 14.5 points.
Marciulionis comes into this game averaging 14.3 points per game for the Gaels. He’s gone higher than 14.5 points in seven of his last 10 games played. He also shoots 34.8% from deep and 79.6% from the free throw line this year.
Marciulionis is capable of scoring from deep, getting to the rack, and drawing fouls. He also could come into play if Vanderbilt needs to play the foul game at the end of this one. Marciulionis can score, and he should get more than enough opportunities to go higher than 14.5 points in this match up.
The College Basketball Experience
For more analysis on every college basketball game for the 2024-25 season, make sure you tune into The College Basketball Experience. Colby Dant, Moneyline Mac, and Noah Bieniek talk about each game on the entire slate. Listen for input on ATS and moneyline college basketball picks every night!
