2023 March Madness Predictions: NCAA Bracket Expert Opts Against the Spread, Odds in Saturday’s Round 2 Matches

March Madness is officially in full swing and after two frenzied days of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, we’re down to 32 teams and ready to slice the remaining contenders in half over the next two days. Round 2 action kicks off Saturday where we’ll have eight games across the day with eight teams eventually punching tickets to the Sweet 16 as another eight teams’ seasons come to a close.

Saturday’s action is the first of a two-day bonanza of second-round play that will take an official bow for the first full weekend of this year’s NCAA tournament, and the deck rollers will be as ravishing as the first few days of action. We have No. 1 seed Kansas as the shortest favorite in over two decades in a Round 2 game, No. 1 seed Houston in a quasi-road environment versus No. 9 seed Auburn in Birmingham and a host of other tasty matchups that could yield big results. Strap in.

Of course, getting some extra skin in the games can help you get into the tournament spirit (if you’re not there already). Below, our CBS Sports experts have provided their insight with straight picks And against the spread for some of the best games on Saturday’s comprehensive list. Us expert brackets can also offer some help in this area.

While surviving and moving forward are clearly the most important, it’s important to us that these teams cover their spreads, and we’ve been following the season since November to give our own opinion on each game.

Be sure to stay with CBS Sports for NCAA Tournament coverage through the end of the Final Four for the rest of the month. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for Saturday’s opening day second round.

Odds through Caesars Sportsbook | All times Eastern

Featured NCAA Tournament Picks

(4) Tennessee vs. (5) Duke

Saturday, 2:40 pm | CBS, March Madness Live: Duke destroyed courageous No. 12 seed Oral Roberts in Round 1 to extend his winning streak to 10 games, showing seemingly title-worthy mettle in a wide-open East Region. So Duke -3 can be tempting. However, Tennessee for all its struggles on offense – of which there are many – has a skilled defense that could keep this within the number and eventually hold it down to a single possession. Choose: Tennessee +3.5

(1) Kansas vs. (8) Arkansas

Saturday, 5:15 pm | CBS, March Madness Live: This is the shortest favorite for a No. 1 seed in a round 2 match since 1996, and the history of short favorites against the spread is not encouraging. However, Kansas is equipped to counter that trend, with its balanced defense and offensive offense with many guards, a pretty close match to Arkansas. The length of the Razorbacks – of their guards and wings – might upset KU and bring it closer, but I like that KU wins 73-66 or something like that. Choice: Kansas -3

(1) Houston v (9) Maroon

Saturday, 7:10 pm | TBS, March Madness Live: In addition to a lingering groin injury for Houston leading scorer Marcus Sasser, who left the team’s first round game after aggravating the ailment he suffered in the AAC tournament, the Cougars are also dealing with Jamal Shead’s knee injury. Both are expected to try, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said Friday, but at what level they will be effective is unclear. The injury concerns coupled with this game are in Birmingham slims me by taking the 5.5 points with Auburn, which will basically play a home game. Choose: maroon +5.5

(2) UCLA vs. (7) Northwest

Saturday, 8:40 pm | TNT, March Madness Live: UCLA dominated in the first round vs. UNC-Asheville and didn’t seem to be slowed down by the absence of top defenseman Jaylen Clark, who is out for the season. However, this spot is where I think the shorthanded Bruins’ luck runs out. Northwestern is an experienced team with two stars in Boo Buie and Chase Audige, who will give UCLA everything it can handle. This is going to be one to watch where I think Northwestern has a real chance to get upset. Choose: Northwest +7.5