March Madness Player Props – Picks & Odds for First Round Games

• The first round of the NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday (March 16)
• March Madness player props are available for most of the games
• Below, see the best NCAA Tournament player props to bet for the first round

With the First Four games in the rearview mirror, the first round of March Madness takes center stage on Thursday and Friday. The games run for roughly 12 hours starting at noon ET on both days, which amounts to arguably the best two-day stretch on the sports-betting calendar.

Speaking of betting, of course there’ll be plenty of action on sides and totals during the first round, but don’t sleep on the player props market. It’s often where you’ll find the softest lines to pick off, as online sportsbooks don’t pay as much attention to those odds, as they do the rest of the board.

March Madness Props – Thursday, March 16

No player has a higher points over/under than Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas at 22.5, but despite his strong 2022-23 there’s plenty of reasons to fade him versus Duke.

Odds as of March 18th at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

March Madness Prop #1: Max Abmas Under 22.5 Points

Abmas comes into the game averaging 22.2 points per game, the seventh highest mark in the nation. On the surface that’s impressive, however there’s a caveat. Oral Roberts dominated the Summit League, which is one of the softest conferences.

The leading scorers entering the March Madness tournament:

1. Zach Edey
2. Max Abmas
3. Kendric Davis
4. Drew Pember
5. Drew Timme pic.twitter.com/TMM2T2HZxj

— CBB Analytics (@CBBAnalytics) March 13, 2023

Abmas was an unstoppable force in league play because his opponents didn’t boast the kind of athletes it takes to slow him down. That won’t be the case against Duke. The Blue Devils are loaded with 5-star recruits who can keep Abrams in front of them. They also boast a pair of 7-footers in the front court which will deter the 6-foot guard from attacking the rim.

This will be just the fourth game all season for Abmas versus a top-71 opponent. In the other three, he averaged just 14.3 points, scoring a measly 3 points versus Houston, the only other top-25 defense he faced.

Pick: Max Abrams Under 22.5 Points (-105)

March Madness Prop #2: Themus Fulks Under 4.5 Assists

Louisiana’s Themus Fulks enters this contest averaging 6 assists per game, the 12th best mark in college hoops. Like Abrams however, he put up big numbers in an inferior conference (Sun Belt). Now he has to face his toughest test of the season, a Tennessee program that ranks second per KenPom in defensive efficiency.

“March is everything” 😤🏀@JahmaiM
@J0nasAid00 pic.twitter.com/nRZsPK6w5I

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 13, 2023

Opponents are shooting a measly 36.9% against the Volunteers this season, while Tennessee allows the 11th fewest assists per game. They’re also excellent at forcing turnovers, and Fulks is susceptible to giving the ball away. The sophomore guard has committed 10 turnovers in his three games alone, while the Vols generate turnovers at the 20th highest rate in the nation.

Pick: Themus Fulks Under 4.5 Assists (-130)

Other first round March Madness predictions:

• West Virginia vs Maryland Predictions & Odds
• Furman vs Virginia Odds, Spread & Picks
• Utah State vs Missouri Odds & Predictions
• Kansas vs Howard Picks, Odds & Lines
• Alabama vs Texas A&M-CC Odds & Picks
• Charleston vs San Diego State Odds, Spread & Predictions
• Illinois vs Arkansas Odds, Lines & Picks
• Princeton vs Arizona Predictions & Odds
• Auburn vs Iowa Picks, Odds & Spread
• Northern Kentucky vs Houston Predictions & Odds
• Oral Roberts vs Duke Predictions & Odds
• Colgate vs Texas Odds, Lines & Predictions
• Boise State vs Northwestern Odds, Spread & Picks