The first round of March Madness gets underway on Friday, March 20, with games taking place throughout the day.

March Madness is a bracket-style tournament in which the best college basketball teams compete in single-elimination games until just one remains, becoming the national champion.

As a result, 68 teams play in up to seven rounds of single-elimination games for the chance to win it. Some have to play in a First Four game (essentially a playoff) before they can be involved. Then, each game is determined by seeding, with top seeds playing against the lowest-ranked, etc.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Duke to win March Madness

Value bet: Cameron Boozer in player props

Long shot: Miami (OH) to win

Betting Preview

Games to be played on Friday involve:

• #8 Ohio State vs #9 TCU (03:15 AEDT)
• #4 Nebraska vs #13 Troy (03:40 AEDT)
• #6 Louisville vs #11 South Florida (04:30 AEDT)
• #5 Wisconsin vs #12 High Point (04:50 AEDT)
• #1 Duke vs #16 Siena (05:50 AEDT)
• #5 Vanderbilt vs #12 McNeese State (06:15 AEDT)
• #3 MI State vs #14 ND State (07:05 AEDT)
• #4 Arkansas vs #13 Hawaii (07:25 AEDT)
• #6 UNC vs #11 VCU (09:50 AEDT)
• #1 Michigan vs TBD (10:10 AEDT)
• #6 BYU vs TBD (10:25 AEDT)
• #7 St Mary's CA vs #10 Texas A&M (10:35 AEDT)
• #3 Illinois vs #14 Penn (12:25 AEDT)
• #8 Georgia vs #9 Saint Louis (12:45 AEDT)
• #3 Gonzaga vs #14 Kennesaw St (13:00 AEDT)
• #2 Houston vs #15 Idaho (13:10 AEDT)

Other first-round games are played on Saturday, March 21.

Betting Markets to Watch

Given how the brackets are structured, it can be very easy to want to back the higher seeds in this style of tournament. However, history often shows that this isn't always the wisest option. If you're new to how to bet on basketball, understanding these dynamics is essential.

Shocks can happen at any stage of the competition, with lower-seeded teams often producing some of their very best basketball. At the same time, it can often mean they are undervalued in the markets.

When looking at the betting markets for March Madness, value will likely be offered in the handicap markets. We believe the odds offered here should be explored before moneyline bets, due to the competitive nature of these games and the unpredictability that can occur.

Player props for specific teams can also offer value. Names like Cameron Boozer (Duke), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), and Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) could offer value in points markets, as these individuals were top scorers throughout the season, and their teams will be reliant on them to help them to advance.

Our Prediction

Check the latest NCAAB betting odds at Sportsbet.

It's worth taking a look at the futures market for the likely winner of this year's March Madness, with it being wide open in the betting. Our pick is for Duke to be the likely winner, as they went 32-2 in the regular season and have a top seed. They reached the Final Four last year.

Cameron Boozer is a top pick for value in Duke games, while our long shot is Miami (OH) to win. They enter the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated regular-season record.

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