NCAA Tournament First Four Preview

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Clifford Omoruyi #11 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dunks against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Rich Schultz/Getty Images/AFP

The First Four play-in round begins this Tuesday with two games and will finish on Wednesday with another two matchups.

The winners will join the big bracket so let’s break down the NCAAB odds for this round.

Texas A&M-CC Islanders vs. Texas Southern Tigers 

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – 06:40 PM EDT at UD Arena 

The Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders will take on the Texas Southern Tigers in the First Four game of the night representing the Midwest Region. Off the bat, Texas Southern looks way more appealing. On the defensive end, Texas Southern is holding teams to 29.6% from deep and 45.2% from inside the arc.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M CC is shooting just a 47.3% effective field goal percentage, shooting just 31.6% from deep and 47.3% from inside the arc.

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On the other hand, Texas Southern isn’t going to blow anyone away offensively. The Tigers are shooting just 31.6% from deep and 49.2% from inside. Ultimately, the Islanders just don’t have the defensive presence that Texas Southern has.

Both teams should be able to earn second chance opportunities with offensive rebounding and Texas A&M CC will earn more turnovers. However, points are only scored when the ball goes through the hoop. I like Texas Southern to win this game.

NCAAB Pick: Texas Southern -3.5 (-110) at BetOnline

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Texas Southern -3.5 (-110)
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Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wyoming Cowboys 

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – 09:10 PM EDT at UD Arena

In the East Region, a pair of 12-seeds will play. This is likely the best game of the games on the First Four slate, particularly because it's between two very impressive defenses. Wyoming is holding teams to a 47.2% effective field goal percentage while holding teams to 24.1% offensive rebounds. Meanwhile, Indiana is holding teams to a 45.7% effective field goal percentage while holding teams to 25.1% offensive rebounds.

More Picks: Indiana vs. Wyoming NCAA Tournament First Four Betting Preview

Ultimately, Indiana’s been much better inside the arc defensively and Wyoming has been much better at defending the three. It’s going to come down to offense and while Wyoming has the better analytics, you can argue that Indiana has more momentum dating back to the small little run in the Big 10 Tournament.

I don’t want to pick a winner. I’ll just take the under in this one.

NCAAB Pick: Under 132.5 (-110) at BetOnline

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Under 132.5 (-110)
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Bryant University Bulldogs vs. Wright State Raiders

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – 06:40 PM EDT at UD Arena

In the South Region, Bryant and Wright State will compete for a chance to take on Arizona in the first round of the tournament. Bryant and Wright State have been tremendous offensively but the defense has been an issue. Bryant is only forcing 16.4% turnovers while allowing teams to grab 31.5% offensive rebounds.

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Meanwhile, Wright State is allowing teams to shoot a 51.3% effective field goal percentage while also allowing 30% offensive rebounds. It comes down to offense and Wright State’s been much better from the field this season, shooting 53.2% from inside the arc.

NCAAB Pick: Wright State -3.5 (-110) at BetOnline

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Wright State -3.5 (-110)
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – 09:10 PM EDT at UD Arena

There’s no question that Rutgers has defeated better competition this year. Notre Dame made the tournament by feasting on bad opponents. Rutgers finished fourth in the Big 10, which was a much harder conference than the ACC this season.

More Picks: Notre Dame vs. Rutgers NCAA Tournament First Four Preview and Pick

Notre Dame is a great offense, hitting 37.7% from deep and 52% from inside the arc. However, Rutgers is easily the better defense and should dominate the defensive glass and hold Notre Dame from scoring at a high pace inside the arc. As long as Rutgers protects the basketball, the Scarlet Knights could escape with a win in the West Region for our NCAAB picks.

NCAAB Pick: Rutgers +1 (-110) at BetOnline

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Rutgers +1 (-110)
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*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.