SEC betting preview for Day 1 at the NCAA Tournament

The best time of the sports calendar has arrived. The opening round of the NCAA Tournament is here.

The SEC will have 4 teams in action on Thursday — Mississippi State, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Auburn hit the hardwood on Friday.

Here’s a look at the SEC’s slate for Day 1:

(All times Eastern; spread and totals via FanDuel)

8 Mississippi State vs. 9 Michigan State | 12:15 p.m. | CBS | Charlotte, North Carolina

Michigan State is 18-14-1 against the spread this season. Mississippi State is 17-16-1 against the spread. The Spartans are a 1- to 1.5-point favorite at most of the best online sportsbooks.

Spread: Michigan State -1.5

Total: 131.5 points

6 South Carolina vs. 11 Oregon | 4 p.m. | TNT | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Despite being the seed favorite, the Gamecocks are a betting underdog. But this isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for the program that was picked to finish last in the SEC. South Carolina is one of the best teams against the spread this season, with a 23-10 ATS record. Oregon, in the NCAA tourney thanks to a Pac-12 Tournament title, is 16-18 against the spread.

Spread: Oregon -1.5

Total: 134.5

3 Kentucky vs. 14 Oakland | 7:10 p.m. | CBS | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

One of the nation’s most prolific offenses and fastest teams hits the court looking to break a string of disappointing postseasons. Kentucky is 18-14 against the spread this season while Oakland is 21-13. Baylor is the only 3-seed favored by more in their first-round matchup than Big Blue. Kentucky residents can bet on the Wildcats with one of our top recommended Kentucky sportsbooks.

Spread: Kentucky -13.5

Total: 160.5

2 Tennessee vs. 15 Saint Peter’s | 9:20 p.m. | TNT | Charlotte, North Carolina

Tennessee gets a name-brand 15-seed in the opening round. The Peacocks are 2 years removed from a magical run to the Elite Eight that began with a win over a 2-seed from the SEC. The Vols are 16-15-1 against the spread this season while Saint Peter’s is 20-11. Most Tennessee sportsbooks have the Vols as a 21.5-point favorite, which is the largest spread in any of the 2-15 games in the opening round.

Spread: Tennessee -21.5

Total: 130.5

2 picks

Kentucky-Oakland under 161.5 (-108 via DraftKings)

The Wildcats’ last 5 first-round games at the NCAA Tournament have averaged 140.2 points per game. Per KenPom, Oakland is only averaging 66.7 possessions a game and it would benefit the Grizzlies to try to keep the game tamped down as much as it can. They take their time on offense and work the shot clock better than most.

Tennessee G Zakai Zeigler over 1.5 steals (-110 via DraftKings)

Saint Peter’s turns it over on a fifth of its possessions. Zeigler, who already averages 1.8 steals a game, should have plenty of opportunities to pick the pockets of a Peacocks backcourt that averages nearly 6 turnovers a game between guards Latrell Reid, Roy Clarke, and Marcus Randolph. Tennessee’s defense was awful the last time the Vols played. That unit should be more energized this time around.