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2021 NCAA Tournament: Best bets for all 4 Opening Round games

By Daniel Benjamin

Michigan State's Gabe Brown, center, dribbles between Aaron Henry, left, and associate head coach Dane Fife before the game against Michigan on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210307 Msu Um 015a
Michigan State's Gabe Brown, center, dribbles between Aaron Henry, left, and associate head coach Dane Fife before the game against Michigan on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210307 Msu Um 015a /
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NCAA Tournament Texas Southern Tigers John Walker John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament Texas Southern Tigers John Walker John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2021 NCAA Tournament will get underway on Thursday evening with four opening games. The following is a look at the matchups and best bets for each of the March 18 contests.

East Region: No. 16 Texas Southern Tigers (16-8) vs. No. 16. Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers

Opening Line:  Texas Southern -1.5  Over/Under 133.5

Texas Southern and Mount St. Mary’s are meeting for the first time. The Tigers  are making their ninth NCAA Tournament (1-8) appearance while the Mountaineers, who are making their sixth appearance, are 2-5 in their past trips to the “Dance..” This is the first game-opening game for both clubs, with the winner advancing to face

Texas Southern earned its first NCAA Tournament bid sincen2018 as the automatic qualifier from the SWAC by defeating Prairie View A&M 80-61 in the Finals. Joirdon Karl Nicholas posted a double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) to lead five players in double-figures. The Tigers outscored their opponents 242-197 in the conference tournament.

They enter the Tournament on a  nine-game winning streak and have won 14 of 15 overall. TSU also owns an 8-6  record in games away from Houston, including posting a 3-0 mark in neutral-site contests.

Texas Southern averages 74.8 points on 45.1% shooting from the field, 27.4% from the 3-point line, and 70% from the free-throw line. TSU has a +6.0 rebound margin but a -1.3 turnover differential. The Tigers allow 69.7 points on 39.8% shooting from the field, 31.0% from the 3-point line, and force 14.7 turnovers.

SWAC Tournament MVP Michael Weathers leads seven players, who are averaging five points and three rebounds, with 16.5 points along with 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks. John Walker III contributes 12.5 points as well as 5.2 boards, while Nicholas adds 11.3 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds and a squad best 1.2 blocks.

Mount Saint Mary’s is in making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2017 as the automatic qualifier from the NEC. MSM earned its right to participate in the “Big Dance” by defeating Bryant 73-68 in the conference final. The Mountaineers, who have won four-straight games, defeated Wagner 66-60 in the semifinals.

Mount St. Mary’s averages 63.7 points on 42.6% from the field, 33.7% from the 3-point line, and 67.8% from the charity stripe. MSM has a+5.4 rebound margin and a -2.3 turnover differential. The Mountaineers allow 62.3 points on 40.5% shooting from the field, 30.1% from the 3-point line, and force 10.5 turnovers.

Damian Chong Qui leads six players averaging at least seven points as well as two rebounds with 15.1 points along with 5.5 dimes and 4.8 caroms. Nana Opoku compiles 10.3 points as well as seven rebounds and a team-best 2.0. Mezie Offorum 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, while Malik Jefferson added 8.4 points along 8.0 caroms.

Pick: The line has remained pretty steady, according to Action Network, but I believe that Texas Southern is the better team so take the Tigers. I also like the over here (133.5) as Texas Southern likes to play fast and create turnovers defensively. The Tigers advance with a 73-64 win.

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