We will begin our March Madness coverage with the East Regional games taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the most competitive games this Friday will be Indiana vs. Arkansas. While the Big 10 has been under the radar for most of the season, Indiana has been one of the conference's powerhouses and is favored to edge out Arkansas by 1.5 points. The predictions call for Oklahoma to have a tough time against 11th seeded Saint Joseph's, although they are expected to pull out a victory by at least 1.5 points. Butler has come into the tournament with a bit of momentum but should find a pretty good challenge in South Alabama - they are only favored to win by 4 points in this one. Louisville will make for one of the easiest free sports picks as they are predicted to run over Boise State by at least 13 points. Tennessee is the ultimate favorite in the East Regional Tournament as they're expected to route American by at least 20 points.
The South Regional bracket is filled with a number of good sports picks. Memphis, the number 1 seed. is predicted to dominate the last-seeded Texas Arlington. Memphis is favored to run the conference and is favored by 24.5 points in round one. Oregon is expected to give Mississippi State a challenge even though they're a 2.5 underdog. We may see Miami Florida playing in of the most tightly contested games of the first round as the spread favors them by a single point against St. Mary's. Finally, Texas is a huge 16 point favorite when they take on Austin Peay.
Our free sports picks continue in the first round of the Midwest Regional bracket. Two storied colleges will collide when Clemson battles Villanova. Both schools come in playing great ball though Clemson is predicted to win by at least 6 points. Vanderbilt is expected to rise above the fairly unknown school of Siena, with 7 points against the spread. One of the most shocking predictions calls for 10th seeded Davidson to pull out a win against 7th seeded Gonzaga - this is one to keep your eye on. We close out the Midwest region with Georgetown who is predicted to demolish UMBC with a 16.5 point spread.
The West Regional Tournament schedule is light on Friday with only two games. Drake is expected to edge out Western Kentucky with 4 points against the spread while Connecticut seems to be the smart pick as 11 point favorites over San Diego.
Your free sports picks are in for round one of March Madness 2008. As the tournament unfolds, our bracket previews will become much more detailed. This will give you a good start on that inevitable road to the Final Four.
