2023 March Insanity predictions: NCAA bracket professional picks in opposition to the unfold, odds in Sunday’s Spherical 2 video games

March Insanity hit deafening ranges of mayhem the previous few days because the 2023 NCAA Event bracket broke open with two No. 1 seeds getting despatched dwelling, a No. 15 seed punching its ticket to the Candy 16 and No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson making historical past because the second such workforce to ever defeat a No. 1 seed. All that stands between us and a Candy 16 now could be one full Sunday slate. Buckle up.

Spherical 2 wraps Sunday with eight video games that can formally put a bow on the primary full weekend of this yr’s NCAA Event the place eight groups will get despatched dwelling and the opposite eight will punch its tickets to the second weekend. If the remainder of this week is any indication, the one factor we will anticipate is the surprising.

Saturday alone offered fireworks we not often see as No. 1 seed Kansas was eradicated by No. 8 seed Arkansas and No. 15 seed Princeton performed its manner into the ultimate sixteen for the primary time since properly earlier than growth in 1967. Sunday shapes as much as ship goodies as properly with No. 3 seed Kansas State an underdog to No. 6 seed Kentucky, No. 2 seed Marquette narrowly favored over No. 7 seed Michigan State and No. 3 seed Baylor vs. No. 6 seed Creighton mainly sitting at a decide ’em.

And oh, by the way in which, did we point out a No. 16 seed might play its manner into the Candy 16 as properly? Fairleigh Dickinson might make historical past as the one workforce to try this. After gorgeous No. 1 seed Purdue in Spherical 1 on Friday, the Knights might do what has by no means been completed earlier than in NCAA Event historical past in attending to the second weekend as a 16 seed.

In fact, getting some additional pores and skin within the video games could assist put you within the event spirit (for those who aren’t already there). Under, our CBS Sports activities specialists have offered their perception with picks straight up and in opposition to the unfold for a few of the prime video games on Sunday’s prolonged slate. Our professional brackets could provide some assistance on this entrance as properly.

Whereas surviving and advancing is clearly what issues for many, we care about whether or not these groups will cowl their spreads, and we have tracked the season since November to have the ability to provide our personal ideas on each recreation.

Be sure you keep on with CBS Sports activities all through the remainder of the month for NCAA Event protection by means of the top of the Last 4. Let’s check out our professional picks for the opening day of the second spherical on Sunday.

Odds through Caesars Sportsbook | All instances Japanese

Featured NCAA Event picks

(3) Kansas State vs. (6) Kentucky

Sunday, 2:40 p.m. | CBS, March Insanity Reside: Kentucky followers could recall Kansas State ending the Wildcats’ season in 2018 when UK was a 5 seed and Ok-State was a 9 seed in a wide-open area. So, I get there could also be some nerves right here for BBN. However the Wildcats — except for two losses on the finish of the season to Vanderbilt — are taking part in in addition to they’ve all season after dumping Windfall in a sweat-free Spherical 1 win. Laying the deuce right here with UK. Choose: Kentucky -2 — Kyle Boone

(2) Marquette vs. (7) Michigan State

Sunday, 5:15 p.m. | CBS, March Insanity Reside: Choosing in opposition to Marquette the final two months has principally been an unproductive betting technique, however darn it, I am going again to that properly in simply taking the factors with Michigan State. Shut matchup that includes an excellent offense from Marquette and much-improved D from Sparty that makes this a near-draw. Choose: Michigan State +2.5 — Kyle Boone

(4) UConn vs. (5) Saint Mary’s

Sunday, 6:10 p.m. | TNT, March Insanity Reside: UConn’s solely losses previously two months have come in opposition to groups additionally taking part in within the second spherical of the NCAA Event. The Huskies have gained 10 of their final 12, they usually simply crushed Iona 87-63 within the first spherical after trailing at halftime. Saint Mary’s is a superb defensive workforce, however the Huskies can beat opponents in a wide range of methods and will discover a technique for creating separation as the sport progresses. Choose: UConn -3.5 — David Cobb

(4) Indiana vs. (5) Miami

Sunday, 8:40 p.m. | TNT, March Insanity Reside: Indiana has a measurement benefit inside with Trayce Jackson-Davis, however the Hoosiers are additionally high quality with working, which is what Miami will search to do. The Hurricanes escaped an upset bid from Drake within the first spherical however did not seem like themselves for a lot of the sport till their backs had been in opposition to the wall late. In the meantime, the Hoosiers dealt with enterprise in opposition to a strong Kent State workforce on Friday and are poised to journey Jackson-Davis into the Candy 16. Choose: Indiana -1.5 — David Cobb