Texas A&M-Corpus Christi clinched a berth in the NCAA Tournament by winning the Southland league title.
The 2023 NCAA Tournament officially tips off Tuesday night with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Southeast Missouri State, both 16 seeds, will get things started at 6:40 p.m. for the chance to advance and play the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed Alabama on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., in the South Region’s first round.
Tuesday’s nightcap will feature two 11 seeds – Mississippi State and Pittsburgh – facing off to advance to the Midwest Region’s first round against No. 6-seeded Iowa State in Greensboro, N.C., on Friday.
FrontPageBets takes a look at both games, as well as picks a winner against the spread.
(All odds are courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)
No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs. No. 16 Southeast Missouri State
When: Tuesday, 6:40 p.m.; Dayton, Ohio
TV: truTV
Spread: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -4 (-110); Southeast Missouri State +4 (-110)
Money line: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -175; Southeast Missouri State +150
O/U: 154 (-110)
Road to the First Four: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (23-10) won the Southland Conference title to clinch an automatic berth in the Big Dance and have won 12 of its last 13 games. The Islanders are led by senior guard Trevian Tennyson, who is averaging 15.7 points per game and is shooting over 41% from beyond the 3-point line. … Southeastern Missouri won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship in overtime to clinch their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 23 years. Sophomore guard Phillip Russell makes things go for the Redhawks, averaging 18.2 points per game.
The pick: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 81-79
No. 11 Mississippi State vs. No. 11 Pittsburgh
When: Tuesday, 9:10 p.m.; Dayton, Ohio
TV: truTV
Spread: Mississippi State -2 (-110); Pittsburgh +2 (-110)
Money line: Mississippi State -130; Pittsburgh +110
O/U: 132.5 (-110)
Road to the First Four: In a battle of two of the last four teams to make the NCAA Tournament, both Mississippi State and Pitt have a lot to prove. The Bulldogs (21-12) are making their first appearance in the Big Dance since 2019, but haven't won a tournament game since 2008. Senior forward Tolu Smith is hoping to help MSU break that streak, as he finished the season as the SEC’s second-leading rebounder, averaging 8.5 boards a game to go along with 15.8 ppg. … Pitt (22-11) finished tied for third in the ACC after being picked in the preseason to finish 14th. Senior All-ACC guard Jamarius Burton leads the Panthers with 15.6 points per game. Pitt has lost three out of its last four coming into Tuesday night’s First Four.
The pick: Pitt, 66-63
Houston is the No. 1 seed in the Midwest and the Cougars are looking to make it back to their hometown for this year's Final Four.
Purdue is the East Region's top seed and boast one of the best players in the country, 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey.
Defending national champion Kansas is the top seed in the West Region. Can the Jayhawks head back to the Final Four?
Can Alabama, the region and the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, make it to their first-ever Final Four?
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 23-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
