Let's cook up a three-leg parlay as we tip off March Madness.
We'll begin this parlay in the South Region for a matchup between the Louisville Cardinals and the Creighton Bluejays.
Then, we'll head to Rhode Island for the second leg of this parlay. The Kansas Jayhawks and the Arkansas Razorbacks will battle things out on Thursday.
Finally, we'll go to Wichita, Kansas, for the last leg of this parlay, where Drake and Missouri clash.
NCAA Tournament Parlay for Thursday, March 20
With the matchups set, let's dive into my NCAA Tournament parlay and NCAAB predictions for Thursday, March 20.
NCAA Tournament Parlay
- Louisville ML (-145) vs. Creighton
- Kansas ML (-210) vs. Arkansas
- Drake +6.5 (-110) vs. Missouri
Parlay Odds: +376 (Fanatics)
Remember that some parlays are long shots for a reason, so please bet responsibly.
Louisville ML (-120)
vs. Creighton at 12:15 p.m. ET · CBS Sports Network
Creighton enters this matchup with a 24-10 record after an impressive Big East season that ended with a loss to St. John's in the Big East Tournament title game.
Despite the setback, the Bluejays are making their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Ryan Kalkbrenner leads Creighton with 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, anchoring the team with his strong presence in the paint. His performance will be crucial for the Bluejays' success this weekend.
Louisville boasts a 27-7 record, and many believe the Cardinals deserved a higher tournament seed. Head coach Pat Kelsey guided the Cardinals to an ACC Tournament title game appearance, falling to Duke.
James Madison transfer Terrence Edwards Jr. leads Louisville with 16.6 points per game. The Cardinals' ability to spread the floor and pull Kalkbrenner away from the basket could be a key factor in this matchup.
Kansas ML (-210)
vs. Arkansas at 7:10 p.m. ET · CBS Sports Network
The Arkansas Razorbacks and Kansas Jayhawks are set for a highly anticipated matchup.
Hunter Dickinson leads the Jayhawks with 17.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Kansas has the talent to make a strong postseason run.
Arkansas holds a 20-13 record, earning a tournament spot with a late-season surge. The return of guard Boogie Fland is big news, though the Razorbacks will be without leading scorer Adou Thiero.
Kansas had a disappointing season by its standards, but it remains the stronger team overall. The Jayhawks' dominance on the glass could be the deciding factor in this matchup.
Drake +6.5 (-110)
vs. Missouri at 7:35 p.m. ET · truTV
Drake posted an impressive 30-3 record this season, earning an automatic bid by winning the Missouri Valley. This marks the Bulldogs' third straight March Madness appearance.
Bennett Stirtz leads Drake with 19.1 points and 5.7 assists per game. The Bulldogs' slow pace and strong defense (first in points allowed) can frustrate rivals.
After competing in the nation's toughest conference, Missouri finished with a 22-11 record. Under Dennis Gates, the Tigers bounced back from an 8-24 record last year, becoming one of college basketball's most improved teams.
Mark Mitchell leads Missouri with 14.1 points per game. While Missouri's strong play is notable, Drake’s deliberate pace could turn this game into a defensive battle.
