First Four Expert Picks for Tuesday: Which Two Teams Will Enter March Madness Bracket?
Two more spots in the March Madness first-round field of 64 will be claimed tonight when Saint Francis meets Alabama State (6:40 p.m. ET) and North Carolina takes on San Diego State (9:10 p.m. ET). We're gathering our best predictions for the two-game slate with our First Four expert picks for Tuesday.
Alabama State (-3.5) and North Carolina (-3.5) are the betting favorites in tonight's First Flour games. They'll both try to earn spots in the March Madness bracket ahead of the first round truly starting on Thursday.
Here are our First Four expert picks for Tuesday's action.
💰 First Four expert picks: Tuesday
Here are our best First Four expert picks for Tuesday night. See all of our NCAA Tournament picks and use our parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay:
🎯 Saint Francis vs. Alabama State prediction: Saint Francis +4 (-105 via bet365) vs. Alabama State ⭐⭐
🎯 North Carolina vs. San Diego State prediction: San Diego State +4.5 (-110 via BetMGM) vs. North Carolina ⭐⭐⭐
👉 Want more picks? Check out our latest college basketball picks and the rest of our March Madness first-round predictions.
🏆 Best Saint Francis vs. Alabama State prediction
Our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds for any March Madness market across legal sportsbooks in your area!
The winner of Saint Francis vs. Alabama State will play Auburn in South Region first-round action.
✅ Saint Francis to cover the spread: +4 ⭐⭐
This would be a three-star pick if you took advantage of Fanatics’ 4.5-point spread, but the -105 on +4 at bet365 is more valuable than the -115 for the same spread at BetMGM.
Most projections show slight value on the underdog. KenPom projects a 72-70 win for Alabama State, while EvanMiya favors the Hornets by 3.4 points.
The Red Flash enter this game with plenty of momentum, winning six in a row (three in overtime). They can keep this game within a possession.
📊 Best odds: -105 via bet365 ($10 to win $9.52)
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose*
*Deposit required. Mobile app only. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Saint Francis vs. Alabama State prediction made by Shane Jackson.
Saint Francis vs. Alabama State odds
🏆 Best North Carolina vs. San Diego State prediction
The winner of North Carolina vs. San Diego State will advance to play Illinois in March Madness first-round play.
✅ San Diego State to cover the spread: +4.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Although I like the Tar Heels as one of my five upset predictions in the first round, they have a fight ahead of them before then.
San Diego State is two years removed from a run to the national title game, but the identity remains the same. This team is ranked No. 13 in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency and might be getting Magoon Gwath back from injury.
Gwath, who hasn’t played since Feb. 22, was the Mountain West Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year. If he’s back in the lineup, this number is too high, and KenPom’s score projection (73-71 in UNC’s favor) reflects that. Regardless of which team makes it, neither will be a March Madness odds favorite.
📊 Best odds: +4.5 via BetMGM ($10 to win $9.09)
Up To $1,500 First Bet
Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
North Carolina vs. San Diego State prediction made by Shane Jackson.
North Carolina vs. San Diego State odds
🔮 First Four expert picks
- Saint Francis vs. Alabama State prediction
- North Carolina vs. San Diego State prediction
- March Madness picks and predictions: Which First Four teams have best odds to reach second round?
- Which March Madness First Four teams have best Final Four odds?
- March Madness first-round predictions
💰 March Madness betting odds pages
| March Madness odds | March Madness MVP odds |
| Women's March Madness odds | March Madness MVP predictions |
| Final Four odds | March Madness prop bets |
👑 Best March Madness betting sites
Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission
Related Articles
