NCAA Tournament action officially kicks off on Thursday, but there will be another 16 games taking place on Friday. With so many games scheduled, this creates plenty of terrific betting opportunities.

March Madness Betting Sites

Not every game is a game to bet on, but there are five games to focus on in the First Round on Friday. Here are the best NCAA Round 1 picks for Friday.

Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State Preview

Best Bet: Buckeyes ML (-105)

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are back in the NCAA Tournament, and they are always going to be a team that receives plenty of betting attention. Ohio State comes into this game having lost four of their last five games, and that could cause some issues in this game.

Loyola Chicago is a team that wins games on the defensive end of the floor, but there are some mismatches in this game. E.J. Liddell is the biggest mismatch, and he leads the Buckeyes with 19.6 points per game.

Ohio State is going to win this game, and they pick up a win to stave off the upset.

College Basketball Odds

Miami Hurricanes vs. USC Trojans

Miami vs. USC Preview

Best Bet: Hurricanes ML (+115)

Miami is the number 10 seed in the Midwest Region, and they are facing number 7 seed USC in the first round. USC went on a deep run in the NCAA Tournament a season ago, and they will be looking to do the same in this one.

The Hurricanes are the team to watch in this game, though, as they have picked up some monster wins already this season. Miami can score points from many different positions, and they are going to pull off the minor upset in this matchup.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Notre Dame vs. Alabama Preview

Best Bet: Fighting Irish +4

Notre Dame has advanced to the First Round after pulling off a double-overtime win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The winners of the First Four games are always dangerous, and that should have Alabama on edge.

It’s been an interesting season for the Crimson Tide, and they are just 19-13 on the year. Alabama has beaten some terrific teams this year, but they have also struggled with consistency.

Notre Dame is getting four points in this game, and the Fighting Irish are at least keeping this game within that spread.

College Basketball Picks

Davidson Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans

Davidson vs. Michigan State Preview

Best Bet: Spartans -1

When the brackets were released, everyone was looking at the Davidson Wildcats as a possible upset pick over the Michigan State Spartans. Davidson has had a terrific season in the Atlantic 10, but Michigan State is known for winning games in March.

The Wildcats are a terrific offensive team, but they are facing a long and physical team in Michigan State. The Spartans don’t have a true star on offense, but they don’t have any trouble finding plenty of offense in this game.

Take the Michigan State Spartans -1.0 over the Davidson Wildcats.

Colgate Raiders vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Colgate vs. Wisconsin Preview

Best Bet: Badgers -8

The Wisconsin Badgers won the regular-season title in the Big Ten Conference, and they are a veteran team that knows how to win in March. Wisconsin faces the 14th-seeded Colgate Raiders in this game, and this betting spread feels a bit too close.

Johnny Davis leads the way for Wisconsin with nearly 20 points per game, and the Badgers are a team that can make a ton of shots. Colgate will be taking plenty of deep shots as well, but finding good looks against Wisconsin won’t be easy.

The Badgers are going to win this game by double-digits, and they cover the 10-point spread.