Best bets for Friday's March Madness games

Quotes from oddsmakers on every game, plus over 50 best bets from respected handicappers

March Madness is here, and we’ve already seen some exciting games among the First Four — Virginia-Colorado State not among them, although I was happy to cash not one, but two Under bets in that contest.

I’ve spoken with multiple oddsmakers over the past few days, and in this file, I’ve compiled their thoughts on every first-round matchup, along with aggregated picks from a bunch of really sharp college basketball handicappers and public betting numbers from DraftKings.

It’s a very unique way to look at the first 32 games of the NCAA tournament, and something I don’t think you’ll find anywhere else. I’ll be adding to this file with more picks and quotes from conversations with oddsmakers as they happen over the next few days, so be sure to check back often.

Be careful with the 12-5 matchups, as every No. 12 seed at DraftKings Sportsbook has more money and wagers on them to cover than the No. 5 seed they’re facing in Round 1.

I’m always looking to improve this experience for subscribers, so feel free to let me know what else you’d like to see in some of these entries. My DMs are open on my Twitter. And if you haven’t subscribed yet, you’re not going to find more value than right now.

Good luck with your wagers!

Friday’s March Madness games

No. 5 Wisconsin (-5, 145) vs. No. 12 James Madison

6:50 p.m. ET

DraftKings betting splits: 78% of bets, 87% of $$ on James Madison +5

“Most-bet matchup for us so far is James Madison vs. Wisconsin. James Madison moneyline is by far the most popular underdog ML. I would expect that to be a popular wager at many books. We have a 6-to-1 ticket count and 8-to-1 money on James Madison ML +190. Very trendy team.” — Zachary Lucas, retail sportsbook director at TwinSpires

“James Madison looks to be the public’s darling for an upset. Incredibly popular with the public right now. Line opened Wisconsin -4.5, up to -5.5. Might be a Pros vs. Joe’s game. JMU is really popular at start of the season. Wisconsin left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths the last month or so, outside of the Big Ten Championship. This could end up being the most lopsided bracket upset that we have. More money on JMU ML than the spread so far.” — Seamus Magee, BetMGM trader

Best bets:

James Madison +4.5 — Greg Peterson, VSiN

James Madison +4.5 — Matthew Winick, ScoreBet

James Madison +5.5 — Sam Panayotovich, FOX Sports/NESN

James Madison +5.5 — Jim Root, Three-Man Weave

James Madison +5.5 — Julian Edlow, DK Network

James Madison-Wisconsin OVER 145 — Thomas Casale, CBS SportsLine

Wisconsin -5.5 — Matt Youmans

No. 9 Northwestern vs. No. 8 Florida Atlantic (-2.5, 142)

12:15 p.m. ET

DraftKings betting splits: 54% of bets, 63% of $$ on FAU -2.5

“We opened Florida Atlantic -1.5. We saw FAU get hit at -1.5 and -2, we’re at -2.5 now. No real buyback on Northwestern yet.” — Zachary Lucas

Best bets: