Best College Basketball Predictions and Picks Today (How to Bet March Madness Second Round)

Reed Wallach | Mar 23, 2025

Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The NCAA Tournament action continues on Sunday with second round action across the country with eight Sweet 16 spots on the line. 

The games begin in the afternoon with the two-time defending champion Connecticut Huskies taking on the No. 1-seeded Florida Gators at 12:10 p.m. EST. In addition to UConn being in action, presumptive No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg takes the floor for the second time in the NCAA Tournament later in the afternoon against Baylor.

The nightcap features a No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup between Oregon and Arizona -- a battle between two former Pac 12 teams.

Here’s our best bets for the action on Sunday!

Best College Basketball Bets Today, NCAA Tournament Second Round 

• Duke-Baylor UNDER 144
• Arizona (-3.5) vs. Oregon
• Illinois-Kentucky OVER 170.5

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Duke vs. Baylor Prediction and Pick

On Saturday, SI Betting's Reed Wallach shared why he's rolling with the UNDER in this second-round clash:

Both teams will be willing to play in the halfcourt, and I believe that is going to keep the team from competing with the Blue Devils, who have arguably the best half court defense in the country. 

With Flagg looking completely fine in the team’s first round win against Mount Saint Mary’s, the Blue Devils defense should continue to operate at a high level. 

Against Quad 1 competition, Baylor has struggled on offense, going 5-12 this season as the offense posted a sub-50% effective field goal percentage. Looking at games against some of the best defenses, Baylor failed to score more than 65 in two games against Houston, Iowa State or Tennessee, averaging 60.75 points per game. 

On the other end, Duke’s offense will continue to operate at a high level, but the team is built around its stifling defense, which is why I continue to trust that part of the team to keep producing unders. 

PICK: UNDER 144 (Available at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Oregon vs. Arizona Prediction and Pick

Wallach is eyeing the favorite in the final matchup of the night:

There’s plenty of familiarity between these two teams, and Oregon head coach Dana Atlman has had far more success in the NCAA Tournament’s in the past, but I’m going to side with Arizona as small favorites. 

There is plenty of firepower on both sides, but Arizona holds a huge edge in terms of generating shots and at the rim. The Wildcats are 10th in the country in rebounding percentage while Oregon is just outside the top 100 at 103rd in the nation.

Further, the Wildcats have overwhelming size in the frontcourt to dominate at the rim, 11th in the country in field goal percentage near the rim according to Haslametrics. While the Ducks are a sturdy interior defense, the team is about national average in average shot distance allowed, so the Wildcats should be able to get where it wants to go on the floor. 

I see too many matchup edges not to take the Wildcats at a cheap price. 

PICK: Arizona -3.5 (-115, Available at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Illinois vs. Kentucky Prediction and Pick

If you're looking for a high-scoring game, the No. 6 Illinois Fighting Illini playing the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats could end up being a track meet, according to Wallach:

With two fast pace offenses that have bucket getters all along the roster, I’m going to side with the over in this one. 

While the Illinois defense is formidable, the Kentucky offense will be comfortable against the opponents drop coverage. The Wildcats are flush with players that can score from off the dribble, one of the best offenses in the country in dribble jump shots while also able to use its off-ball motion to put pressure on Illinois’ over-playing defense that wants to run teams off the three-point line. 

Meanwhile, Illinois’ up-tempo attack should give Kentucky fits in transition, similar to how Alabama did in SEC play. The Fighting Illini have some similarities to the Crimson Tide, who scored 102, 96 and 99 points in two games against the Wildcats. 

On the year, Kentucky has allowed KenPom top 20 offenses in adjusted offensive efficiency to score to allow nearly 94 points per game in seven instances, and I believe with Illinois’ up-tempo attack, ranking top 20 in the country in adjusted tempo, this game will fly over the total. 

PICK: OVER 170.5 (-115, Available at FanDuel Sportsbook)

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