Mar 21, 2025, 08:57 PM ET
The 2025 men’s NCAA tournament continues Saturday with the round of 32, and that presents several excellent betting opportunities. The tournament has been full of exciting games and close finishes, including two No. 12 seeds punching their tickets to the second round, and players like Mark Sears and Sean Pedulla stepping up for their squads.
Saturday’s action tips off at 12:10 p.m. ET, and the hoops continues all day long. So what can you expect for the next round, and which point spreads and over/unders are worth betting on?
Here is Greg Peterson to factor in team trends, injuries, momentum and more to identify the smartest wagers to make over the weekend.
Odds are accurate as of publication time. For the latest odds, go to ESPN BET.
Saturday’s games
No. 2 St. John’s vs. No. 10 Arkansas, 2:40 p.m. ET
Bet: Over 143.5
St. John’s shot only 30.8% from 3-point range this season but enters this matchup shooting as well as it has all season from deep, going 21-for-51 from 3-point range in its past two games. Arkansas also gets a shot in the arm with the return of Boogie Fland, who missed the previous 15 games and provides a boost as its second-leading scorer with 15.1 points per game. Both teams are playing up-tempo, with St. John’s 43rd out of 364 Division I teams in possessions per game and Arkansas coming in at No. 73. Even though St. John’s has one of toughest defenses in the country, the number of chances to score that both teams create could lead to a surprisingly high-scoring game.
No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 Drake, 6:10 p.m. ET
Bet: Drake +6.5
Drake has the uncanny ability to slow anyone down, playing at the slowest tempo in the nation, and Texas Tech might not be at full strength. Chance McMillian, who averaged 14.2 points per game on 43.4% 3-point shooting during the season, was unable to play in Tech’s first-round matchup against UNC Wilmington. Even if he plays, he likely will not be at 100 percent, and Drake still has the most versatile player in this game with Bennett Stirtz. Stirtz has put up mind-boggling numbers this season with 19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Drake, which ranks in the top 25 nationally in generating turnovers and not allowing opponents to grab offensive rebounds, has a good chance to keep this game tight.
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 8 Gonzaga, 8:40 p.m. ET
Bet: Under 139.5
Gonzaga has played solid defense this season, ranking 16th in points per possession allowed, while Houston allows the fewest points per game. Despite Ryan Nembhard leading the country in assists, Gonzaga’s 3-point shooting goes from 37.8% at home to 32.6% away from home, and Nembhard’s efficiency will be put to the test against a Houston team that owns the largest turnover differential of any team remaining in the NCAA tournament. Gonzaga is going to look to run, but Houston all season long has been able to slow down good teams, and Saturday’s matchup should be no different for the Cougars.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 7 UCLA, 9:40 p.m. ET
Bet: Under 132.5
Both teams have been far better on the defensive end, and both play at a slow pace, ranking 310th or lower nationally. UCLA has averaged 17.3 fewer points per 100 possessions away from home than at home and faces a Tennessee defense that holds teams to 27.3% 3-point shooting in games away from home, which leads the nation and might limit 6-foot-8 UCLA wing Tyler Bilodeau‘s impact on the game. Bilodeau has averaged a team-high 13.5 points per game on 40.4% 3-point shooting and has been a go-to player for the Bruins all season. With UCLA one of the best teams in the country at generating turnovers, this game figures to be sloppy and filled with empty possessions.
Sunday’s games
Alabama could need a big game from Mark Sears to hold off Saint Mary’s. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 7 Saint Mary’s
Bet: Saint Mary’s +5.5
This is a classic tempo war, with Saint Mary’s playing at one of the slowest paces in all of college basketball and Alabama playing at one of the fastest. It’s very off-putting that Alabama has allowed 79 points or more in 10 of its past 12 games; even for a team that plays as quickly as the Tide do, it is not a recipe for tournament success, especially against a Saint Mary’s team that is second in the country in fewest points allowed per possession. Alabama’s Mark Sears is the top scorer in this game with 18.7 points per game. That said, Sears has shot just 5-of-31 from 3-point range in the past five games and has been streaky all season. Anything less than a big night from him gives Saint Mary’s a chance to pull the upset.
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 12 Colorado State
Bet: Maryland -7
Colorado State is one of the hottest teams in the country, winner of 11 straight games, but it now has to face one of the most balanced teams in the country in Maryland. While Maryland doesn’t have a deep bench, each of its five starters averages at least 12 points per game, with Julian Reese and Derik Queen forming one of the best low-post duos in the country with a combined 18 rebounds per game. Maryland also has some of the best balance in the country, ranking in the top 30 in both points scored per possession on offense and points allowed per possession on defense. The Terrapins’ starting five shouldn’t get burned out because Colorado State is a slower-tempo team. This should allow Maryland to put a halt to the Rams’ winning streak and do so by a comfortable margin.
