2020 was one of the saddest years in recent sports gambling history. Everything was cancelled. SGPN had to simulate football games on Madden for content, and as a nation, we struggled to get through a pandemic. Sports re-emerged in 2021, including an NCAA tournament that had been canceled the previous year. SGPN’s own Ryan Kramer went back in on a gambling trend that he had been playing for years. 1st half unders went 26-7-3, and multiple viewers paid off their cars with 1st half under parlays. Last year? 1st half unders went 22-13-1.
If you’re going to play 1st-half unders, you have to play all of them. That means the play-in games and ALL the first round games. The thought process is that almost every team is playing on an unfamiliar floor with unfamiliar sight lines. Most teams also don’t usually play on national TV. Also, several teams have been on a lengthy layoff between the conference tournament and the NCAA tournament.
If you’re going to do this, play every first half under. However, there are a few games that you may want to put more than one unit on or look to parlay. Let’s get into the best 1st half under plays for the first round of the NCAA tournament.
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First Half Unders Betting Guide for March Madness in 2026
TCU vs Ohio State
Date: March 19th
Start Time: 12:15 PM EST
TCU comes into this game averaging 35.9 points per game in the first half and allowing teams to score 35.5 points per game. Ohio State enters this matchup averaging 37.9 points per game in the first half and allowing opponents to score 34.1 points per game. It’s pretty clear where the number came from here.
The handicap here is simple. This is the first game of the day, and it’s played in Greenville, SC. Both teams will be playing early, on an unusual floor, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see a partisan crowd. Neither team’s fans are known to travel for basketball, and this gym could be dead.
Ohio State can shoot, but TCU has a top-25 defense in the country and matches up well with the Buckeyes. TCU is 200th in the country in shooting efficiency and has to face a Big Ten-tested defense. This could be more of a defensive battle in the first half than it appears on paper.
Ohio State is also 251st in pace of play, while TCU is 159th in pace of play. TCU will have been off for six days. Ohio State will be five days removed from its last game played. Between the situation, the pace, and the layoff, let’s lock up the first game of the day to start us right with a first half under cash.
Best Bet: Under 69.5
Siena vs Duke
Date: March 19th
Start Time: 2:50 PM EST
Duke comes into this game averaging 41.1 points per game in the first half and only allows opponents to score 30.8 points per game in the first half. Siena averages 34.2 points per game in the first half, and allows opponents to score 31.9 points per game in the first half.
This is another game at Greenville, SC, but this will likely have a few more partisans in the crowd. The Cameron Crazies travel and should be in attendance for this game.
Siena hasn’t played since March 10th, and Duke will be on five days’ rest for this game.
Duke will be without guard Caleb Foster, and will start freshman Cayden Boozer in their backcourt.
Siena played at the 319th slowest pace in the country, while Duke played at the 287th slowest pace in the country. Duke is also ranked as the second-best defensive team in the country. Siena might not break 50 points for the game in this matchup. On the other side, Duke will be playing on an unfamiliar court against a fired-up opponent. Siena is also a solid defensive team. They won’t slow down Cam Boozer, but they can guard the perimeter and try to stay in front of guys. They’ll also likely keep the pace slow to limit possessions and try to keep this one close.
This is another game that should stay under the 1st half total. This matchup features two teams that are capable of defending. One much more athletic than the other, but Siena may be able to hang with the Blue Devils for the first half. Also, Siena isn’t very good offensively and will struggle to score points. Let’s add this first half under our ‘extra unit card for Thursday’s games.
Best Bet: Under 64.5
Idaho vs Houston
Date: March 19th
Start Time: 10:10 PM EST
Idaho enters this matchup averaging 35.4 points per game in the first half and allowing opponents to score 33.3 points per game. Houston comes into this game averaging 38.1 points per game in the first half and allowing opponents to score 30.1 points per game. Houston is sixth in the nation in 1st half points allowed while playing mostly power programs. Now they get a mid-major in a game that matters.
The handicap here is simple. Houston takes these first-round games personally, just like they’ve historically taken ‘Buy Games’ personally. There’s a chance that Idaho doesn’t break 20 points in the first half against this Houston defense. The Cougars are off a loss and will want to send a message to the rest of the field. Idaho might not be able to get a cup of Gatorade without a hand in their faces.
Idaho is 156th in the nation in pace of play, while Houston is 352nd in pace of play. Disregard the Idaho number. This will be played at Houston’s pace.
This game will be played at a neutral site in Oklahoma City, OK. Houston will be well represented, while Idaho might have 20 fans outside of their traveling party.
The handicap here is simple. Houston is going to clamp Idaho for the majority of the game. The Cougars will have the Vandals’ back court in hell and deny just about everything to the inside. Idaho is another team that might not break 50 points for the game, but there’s a chance that they don’t score 20 points in the first half. Houston might blow this open late, but they’ll be in the high 30’s or low 40’s in the first half of this game. Lock up this first half under to close out our parlay.
Best Bet: Under 63.5
3-way parlay odds: +505
The College Basketball Experience
For more analysis of every college basketball game in the 2025-26 season, tune in to 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!
