The second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Saturday, with tickets for the Sweet 16 at stake. As the competition narrows from 64 to 32 teams, the intensity ramps up. This round gives us a chance to assess three double-digit seeds that made it through the First Round thanks to unexpected victories.
A key storyline will revolve around whether teams like McNeese and Drake can maintain their Cinderella runs while facing formidable opponents from major conferences looking to end their tournament dreams. The match-up between renowned coaches Rick Pitino of St. John’s and John Calipari of Arkansas is also highly anticipated. Additionally, the day’s two No. 1 seeds, Auburn and Houston, will face tough challenges from teams like Creighton and Gonzaga, both of which delivered impressive first-round performances.
In our assessment of the eight-game lineup, we’ve pinpointed some of the top betting opportunities, with an emphasis on Will Wade’s McNeese Cowboys as they seek another strong showing.
Top Betting Picks for Saturday’s Second-Round Matches
(4) Purdue vs. (12) McNeese
12:10 p.m. on CBS | March Madness Live: We are excited to back Will Wade’s Cowboys after their thrilling upset of Clemson. Their track record includes covering against Alabama, Clemson, and Mississippi State on the road. They are up against a Purdue squad that has shown inconsistent defense and relies heavily on Braden Smith for offense. While Smith’s performance will be crucial, it might not be enough to prevent an upset. McNeese’s physical play was apparent in the first game, which I expect to continue in this matchup. Pick: McNeese +6
(2) St. John’s vs. (10) Arkansas
2:40 p.m. on CBS | March Madness Live: Few coaches inspire confidence like Rick Pitino when it comes to devising a game plan quickly. St. John’s may have struggled initially against Omaha, but they found their rhythm in the second half. If Arkansas allows open shots, the Johnnies are capable of capitalizing in ways that Kansas could not. With an impressive record of 11-3-1 against the spread in neutral locations, I trust Pitino’s unit to perform well under pressure. Pick: St. John’s -7.5
(3) Texas Tech vs. (11) Drake
6:10 p.m. on TNT | March Madness Live: This is an interesting showdown considering the efficient offensive capabilities of both teams. Drake may lack transition speed but compensates with strong offensive rebounding. As a significant underdog, they need to keep the pace up and can’t slow the game down. Conversely, Texas Tech has a highly efficient offense and can capitalize on defensive lapses. A total in the low 130s seems more suitable given their scoring potential. Pick: Over 127.5
(3) Wisconsin vs. (6) BYU
7:45 p.m. on CBS | March Madness Live: BYU has been impressive in the latter half of the season, successfully avoiding potential upsets like the one facing VCU. Their depth, with eight players averaging significant minutes, means they can weather tournament challenges and have multiple scoring threats. This versatility promises a tough match-up for Wisconsin, which has shown some vulnerabilities on defense against strong opposition. Pick: BYU +1
(1) Houston vs. (8) Gonzaga
8:40 p.m. on TNT | March Madness Live: I believe there is an overreaction considering Gonzaga’s dominant victory over Georgia. That match up featured a team with a decade-long absence from the tournament. Gonzaga’s lopsided win doesn’t accurately reflect their separation from Houston, which is clearly on another level and showing its strength with a thorough dismantling of SIU-Edwardsville. Houston’s defense is likely to disrupt Gonzaga’s rhythm, ultimately keeping their potent offense in check. Pick: Houston -5.5
Stay ahead this tournament with our complete guide! Check out SportsLine to find out which teams will break your bracket, and who will ultimately celebrate as champions. Our model has outperformed over 91% of CBS Sports brackets in four of the last six tournaments!
