NCAA Tournament First-Round Parlay & Best Bets For Friday

By Adam Thompson

Mar 31st, 2025 2:41 PM EDT

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The NCAA Tournament, the biggest annual spectacle in sports tipped off on Thursday with 16 games. We get 16 more on Friday as the first round of March Madness continues.

Friday’s action begins at 12:15 p.m. ET when Baylor takes on Mississippi State in an 8/9 seed showdown. The fun doesn’t stop until about 12 hours later at the conclusion of Oregon vs. Liberty (10:10 p.m. ET estimated start time).

Bookies.com senior handicapper Adam Thompson has surveyed Thursday’s 16 games of action and has unearthed three matchups he’ll be parlaying and playing individually. The picks have already been posted at bookies+.

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NCAA Tournament Parlay

🏀 Mississippi State vs. Baylor

Time: 12:15 p.m. ET

Pick: Baylor +1.5

Baylor has not fared as well as MSU when it comes to facing top opposition but did better vs. SEC opposition than the Bulldogs did (beating Arkansas). March Madness typically requires solid defense, guard play, and 3-point shooting, and in all three key facets, Baylor has been better. Baylor could race away with its defense, and MSU will struggle to keep up. If it’s close, we’ll take the points.

🏀 Maryland vs. Grand Canyon

Time: 4:35 p.m. ET

Pick: Maryland -10.5

The Terrapins are a 3 seed but it feels like they’re really flying under the radar. As far as this matchup goes, they average more points and allow fewer points despite coming through the rugged Big Ten. GCU has not played a game against a high-ranked opponent all year, so this is going to be a shock to the system. Against non-major teams, Maryland went 8-0, with all eight wins by at least 24, and averaged out to an outrageous 38.4.

🏀 Kentucky vs. Troy

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Pick: Kentucky -11.5

The UK developed a bad habit of getting up for the big games (8-5 vs. Top 25 competition) but not for the ones it should win. Which group does Troy fall into? It’s March Madness, so we’re expecting the best from the Wildcats. Troy faced Houston, Oregon, and Arkansas in non-conference and was steamrolled in all but them by at least 16. The Trojans also ranked 350th in 3-point shooting this season; big dogs in the NCAAs need to hit 3’s.

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About the Author

Adam Thompson

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Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.

NCAA Tournament First-Round Parlay & Best Bets For Friday

NCAA Tournament Parlay

🏀 Mississippi State vs. Baylor

🏀 Maryland vs. Grand Canyon

🏀 Kentucky vs. Troy

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