College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for March 22

Half of the Sweet Sixteen is set as the second round of the NCAA and NIT tournaments continues

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:39am

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The second round of the NCAA and NIT tournaments has one more day before the field for the next round is set. We've gone through today's slate, crunched the numbers, reviewed the lines, and found three college basketball plays you'll want to lock up.

Why it matters

While the tournament action matters to the players and fans, it also matters to the gamblers. Our expert analysis and best bets can help you make informed decisions and potentially profit from the games.

The details

Illinois State takes on Wake Forest in the NIT, UCLA faces off against UConn in the NCAA tournament, and Texas Tech battles Alabama in another NCAA second-round matchup. We've broken down the key factors, stats, and trends for each game to identify the best bets.

  • The Illinois State vs. Wake Forest game tips off at 4:30 PM EST.
  • The UCLA vs. UConn game tips off at 8:45 PM EST.
  • The Texas Tech vs. Alabama game tips off at 9:45 PM EST.

The players

Illinois State

The Redbirds enter this game with a 21-12 overall record and are 17-15 against the spread this season.

Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons come into this matchup with an 18-16 overall record and are 15-19 against the spread.

UCLA

The Bruins have a 24-11 overall record and are 17-18 against the spread this season.

UConn

The Huskies enter this game with a 30-5 overall record and a 13-22 mark against the spread.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have a 21-10 overall record and an 18-15 mark against the spread.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide enter this matchup with a 24-9 overall record and a 15-18 record against the spread.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.