March Madness Odds for All First Round Games – Indiana 2.5-Point Underdog to Saint Mary’s

• Opening odds have been published for first-round games at the 2022 NCAA Tournament
• Gonzaga is the biggest round of 64 favorite, while eight contests feature a spread of two or fewer points
• Read on for all the March Madness first-round odds and analysis

With another Selection Sunday now in the books, the bracket is now set for the 2022 NCAA Tournament. In addition to upcoming First Four contests, opening odds have also been posted for 28 first-round games, with action scheduled to get underway on Thursday and Friday. Once the First Four games are settled on Tuesday and Wednesday, the odds for the other four round of 64 matchups will be available.

Opening March Madness First Round Odds

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and Barstool Sportsbook as of March 13, 2022. Game times TBD.

Lower seeds are enjoying a fast start at the sportsbooks, with five emerging as favorites in the March Madness first Round odds. No. 11 Michigan State is enjoying the strongest opening, listed as 2.5-point chalk versus No. 6 Colorado State, while No. 9 Memphis is pegged as an early 2-point favorite versus No. Boise State.

Biggest and Smallest First-Round March Madness Point Spreads

There is no shortage First Round games featuring slim point spreads, with eight of the 28 First Round matchups that have been decided featuring spreads of two or fewer points. No. 6 Texas is one of two teams that has opened as a 1-point favorite, joining No. 10 San Francisco.

Listed at No. 22 on the season-closing AP Top 25 rankings, the Longhorns look to their First Round date with No. 11 Virginia Tech riding a three-game straight up losing streak, capped by their speedy exit from the quarter-finals of the Big 12 Tournament with a 65-60 loss to TCU as 5.5-point chalk. Texas has also been a consistent betting disappointment for most of the season, and has covered just once in their past eight contests. Drawing Virginia Tech has done little to help the Longhorns’ prospects. The Hokies arrive at the Big Dance on a 13-2 SU run, and enjoyed a Cinderella run to the ACC Tournament title with outright wins as underdogs in both the tournament semi-final and final.

#Hokies are in on Friday against Texas as an 11-seed pic.twitter.com/HBrM98adpv

— Treadmill Horse (@treadmillhorse) March 13, 2022

It has been a far rockier stretch run for the Dons as they get set to take on No. 7 Murray State. San Francisco has won just three of six heading into the First Round. However, it is important to note that two of those defeats have come at the hands of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In addition, the Dons have remained steady at the sportsbooks, covering in six of eight outings, and in five straight as betting chalk. The Dons face a massive challenge in their First Round date with Murray State. The Racers are enjoying an epic 20-game SU win streak, and racked up a spectacular 30-2 overall record this season. In addition, this team has risen to the occasion at the NCAA Tournament, tallying opening round wins in three of their past four appearances, capped by a crushing 83-64 win over Marquette as a N0. 12 seed three years ago.

Congrats to the @USFDonsMBB program, dancing for the first time since 1998! The Dons are the 10 seed against 7 seed Murray State in the East Region. #MarchMadness #USFDons pic.twitter.com/Mcb097LmMu

— Chris Alvarez (@CAlvarezABC7) March 13, 2022

Not surprisingly, it is a pair of top seeds that have emerged as the biggest favorites in the March Madness First Round early odds. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have opened as 25-point chalk in their Thursday date with No. 16 Georgia State, while the Baylor Bears are favored by 20.5 in their clash with No. 16 Norfolk State.

Baylor is your No. 1 seed in the East!#SelectionSunday #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/QoM4HiPSGG

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 13, 2022

Runners up in two of the past four editions of the NCA Tournament, the Bulldogs have maintained a presence at the top of the odds to win March Madness throughout the campaign. This squad has also easily covered while pegged as massive favorites in each of their past two First Round appearances. However, the Zags cannot afford to look past the Panthers, who enter the tournament on a 10-0 SU run, and have easily covered in their past three while listed as underdogs by more than 25 points.

So instead they gave GSU a 16-seed in Portland vs. Gonzaga.

Committee clearly did not look into the Panthers nor discuss them.#SunBelt https://t.co/wCFcwo4bsS

— Rocco Miller (@RoccoMiller8) March 13, 2022

The Bears should have no shortage of motivation after making a shocking early exit from the Big 12 Tournament. The defending national champions have covered in just two of their past nine while favored by double digits, but claimed victory by an average margin of 14.3 points during last year’s march to glory.

Lowest and Highest First-Round March Madness Totals

The lowest total on the opening odds board can be found in Thursday’s clash between No. 8 San Diego State and No. 9 Creighton at 118.5, while by Friday’s matchup between the Longhorns and Hokies, which is set at 124.5. The Longhorns sit at No. 13 in adjusted offensive efficiency at Kenpom, and ranked sixth in the nation this season while allowing just 59.6 points per game. The Hokies have also been a defensive force, allowing just 62.3 points per game, but allowed over 70 points per game over their past four outings.

Quick thoughts on Creighton:

They turn the ball over a lot and don’t force many turnovers. They also struggle to shoot from deep.

They are really good on defense and know how to defend without fouling. They’re also really big, which the Aztecs have struggled with.

cont.

— Aztec Breakdown (@aztecbreakdown) March 13, 2022

The Aztecs ranked second in the nation while giving up just 57.7 points per game, and their date with the Creighton Bluejays has all the making of a low-scoring affair. The Bluejays sat well back of the defensive leaders while giving up 65.9 points per game, but showed off their defensive prowess while limiting No. 11 Providence and No. 8 Villanova to an average of 56 points in their two most recent outings.

When Iowa is committed to defending, it can hang with most teams in the country.

It's offense is so well-oiled. Sets. Rotations. Cuts. Hawkeyes find lanes and exploit. Why they rank No. 2 in offensive efficiency nationally since February 1.

— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) March 7, 2022

The Iowa Hawkeyes ranked fourth in the nation in points per game this season with 84.0, and have averaged 87.8 over their past four contests. That has clearly influenced the total in their First Round date with No. 12 Richmond, which is set at a lofty 151.5. However, it is tough to overlook the fact that the Spiders have topped 70 points just once in seven games.

Thursday’s date between No. 8 North Carolina and No. 9 Marquette closely follows with a total listed at 151, while Gonzaga’s date with Georgia State features a total of 149.5.

Other March Madness content:

• March Madness Odds Favor Gonzaga at +350 After Selection Sunday
• Printable 2022 March Madness Bracket – Make Your Picks for the NCAA Tournament
• South Region Odds: Arizona +110 Favorites, Tennessee & Houston Sleepers
• West Regional Odds: Gonzaga Odds-On Favorite to Reach Final Four