The First Four games are in the books, and the field of 64 is set. The March 19th slate brings the first true taste of March Madness. The schedule has 16 games listed. Eight teams will survive and advance. The other eight teams will head home. We’ve gone through the numbers and found three college basketball picks that you’ll want to lock up for today’s action. Let’s get into it.
Are you looking for a sportsbook to place bets on our college basketball picks? Check out MyBookie.ag!
College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for March 19
Matt Dewoskin ATS College Basketball Picks Record (Est 11/3/2025)
All Selections: 207-175-5
Perfect 3-0 Cards: 19-110
TCU (9) vs Ohio State (8)
Start Time: 12:15 PM EST
This is a first-round game in the NCAA tournament and will be played at a neutral site in Greenville, SC.
TCU enters this game with a 22-11 overall record and a 19-14 mark against the spread. Ohio State comes into this matchup with a 21-12 overall record and an 18-15 mark ATS.
TCU has won eight of its last 10 games outright. The Horned Frogs are also 8-2 ATS over that stretch. Ohio State has only won six of its last 10 games. However, the Buckeyes are 8-2 ATS over that stretch.
This game is a bit of a clash of styles. TCU is stronger defensively than Ohio State, but the Buckeyes have a much better offense than the Horned Frogs. Ohio State has a clear advantage in shooting, but TCU is effective at staying in front of its opponents. The Horned Frogs are also the better team on the boards and are 28th in the nation in turnovers generated.
The thought process here is that both teams have to play in a strange arena that will likely be a bit empty for two teams not affiliated with the area they’re playing in. Shots may be hard to come by early, and that favors the Horned Frogs’ ability to generate second chances. This could come down to the final possession, and we’ll lock up the Horned Frogs catching a possession.
Best Bet: TCU +2.5
South Florida (11) vs Louisville (6)
Start Time: 1:30 PM EST
This is a first-round game in the NCAA tournament and will be played at a neutral site in Buffalo, NY.
South Florida enters this game with a 25-8 overall record and an 18-14 mark ATS. Louisville comes into this matchup with a 23-10 overall record and a 15-18 mark ATS.
Louisville point guard Mikel Brown has been ruled out for the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament.
South Florida has won 11 games in a row coming into this matchup and is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played. Louisville has won six of its last 10, but is only 4-6 ATS over that stretch. South Florida wrapped up their season on March 15th, while Louisville hasn’t played since March 12th.
South Florida is one of the few mid-major programs that has the athletes and pace to match Louisville. The Bulls are also solid on the boards and really handsy on the defensive end. South Florida is 11th in the nation in steals per game and 24th in the nation in turnovers generated per game. This Louisville team is also a little soft in the middle, and South Florida’s best player is big man Izaiyah Nelson. Nelson averaged 15.7 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game in his first year with South Florida. He should eat against Louisville.
Louisville has struggled to cover all year long. The Cardinals are without their point guard. They’ve also had a week without competitive basketball. South Florida can get after Louisville on the defensive end, and they have the firepower to stay with the Cardinals on the scoreboard. Lock up South Florida to keep this game close and potentially steal this one.
Best Bet: South Florida +4.5
Idaho (15) at Houston (2)
Start Time: 10:10 PM EST
This is a first-round game in the NCAA tournament and will be played at a neutral site in Oklahoma City, OK.
Idaho enters this game with a 21-14 overall record and a 16-16 mark ATS. Houston comes into this game with a 28-6 overall record and a 16-18 mark ATS.
Idaho has won eight of its last 10 games, and it’s 8-2 ATS over that stretch. Houston is 6-4 in their last 10 games played. However, the Cougars are only 2-8 ATS over that stretch.
We’re going to throw out the recent records and go with recent history. Houston has won each of its last two first-round matchups by more than 34 points. The Cougars take these opening-round games personally, and they look to send a message by putting these double-digit seeds to the sword.
Houston has a top-five defense and a top-15 offense this year. Idaho doesn’t have the athletes or skill to hang with the Cougars. Houston allows the second-lowest points per game in the country. The Cougars are capable inside and outside on offense. They’re also solid on the boards and capable of taking the ball away. Houston averages the fewest turnovers per game in the nation.
Idaho will likely struggle to get to 50 points, and the Cougars could hang 80 on the Vandals without really breaking a sweat. Lock up the Cougars to absolutely wreck Idaho tonight.
Best Bet: Houston -23.5
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!
