The wait from Selection Sunday to the official start of the NCAA Tournament can feel excruciating. While the First Four always serves as a solid appetizer, nothing competes with the adrenaline rush provided by the first full slate of tournament games. Thankfully, we sit only a couple more hours away from the beginning of the best tournament in the world.
Had the Ohio State-TCU game not been chosen to kick off the festivities, Georgia-Saint Louis would have been a solid choice. Instead, their matchup represents the last one of the day that feels like it could go either way. ESPN’s Jay Bilas labeled two other 8-9 games as “coin flips” when making his bracket, but not this one. He believes the Bulldogs’ athleticism will help them advance to the second round.
“Saint Louis hunts great shots and runs a beautiful offense,” Bilas writes. “Georgia has better athletes — sophomore Jeremiah Wilkinson averages 17.0 points per game — and can beat Saint Louis in transition. Winner: Georgia.”
If Mike White’s team prevails, the Bulldogs will have won an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in more than two decades (2002). A Billikens’ victory would be their first in the Big Dance since 2014, so both teams are hoping to end sizeable droughts. Tip between Georgia and Saint Louis is set for appx. 9:45 p.m. ET (CBS).
Can the Dawgs make it to the Round of 32? Kalshi is taking prediction action on Georgia vs. Saint Louis!
