Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Monday Hoops
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Mon Mar 09, 2026, 2:55 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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March is here, and so is conference tourney week! The Power Five conferences begin tournament play tomorrow, but we still have some smaller schools in action on Monday. So far, we have six teams who have already punched their ticket to the Big Dance. Congrats to Queens, High Point, Northern Iowa, Long Island, Tennessee State and North Dakota State. But tonight, two more look to go dancing as the SoCon and Sun Belt decide a tournament winner this evening. Let's check out our expert picks for Monday's NCAA Basketball slate.
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Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions March 9
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Troy Trojans NCAA Basketball Picks
Thomas Dowd and the Trojans are one win away from the NCAA Tournament
Best Bets: Troy -5.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
If you read my Sun Belt Conference preview, you might be holding a Troy Trojans ticket for +135. Well guess what, we aren't hedging. Instead, I'll double down on Troy to get the job done. Georgia Southern is a potential Cinderella. After finishing No. 10 in the Sun Belt regular season, they have now won five straight games in fives days to earn their spot in the conference championship. But now they must upset the No. 1 seed in the league, a team they already lost to this year.
In that contest, Georgia Southern hosted Troy, but lost by five as 4.5 point underdogs. The total barely squeaked over the 159.5 mark, ending with 161, and tonight we see a much lower total with a slightly inflated spread. I think the Eagles' Cinderella run comes to a crashing halt tonight. Troy is much more rested than the Eagles, and Georgia Southern has had some close calls, beating Old Dominion, Arkansas State and Marshall all by four points or less.
This is the time where Troy lets everyone know who runs this conference by letting the Eagles have it in the Sun Belt Championship.
Furman Paladins vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: Furman 1H ML (+103) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Paladins are looking to beat the East Tennessee State Buccaneers for the first time this year after losing both of the regular season meetings. It is insanely tough to beat a team three times in a season, however it is not impossible. But with a ticket to the Big Dance on the line, I think I like the underdog in this spot.
Furman lost by just four on the road to ETSU after leading by 12 at halftime in their first meeting. In the second go around, they melted in the second half, losing by nine. While I think the Paladins can hang for the entire 40 minutes, I'll just bet on them to beat ETSU early and often by taking the 1H moneyline. In the second head to head matchup, Furman shot just 35% from the field and 18% from deep, yet they still kept things within three possessions. The Buccaneers shot 50% from the field in an unfamiliar gym, which leads me to think they will experience some regression tonight.
Oregon State Beavers vs. #12 Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA Basketball Picks
Tyon Grant Foster and the Zags face Oregon State in the WCC Semifinals
Best Bet: Oregon State/Gonzaga Over 143.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
This number is down a couple points from the opener, but I still think it's the right side. While Gonzaga might not cover this 21 point spread since they have a championship game tomorrow, I do expect them to pick up the pace in this contest and force some extra possessions. While the Beavers have been an unders team all year long, they do struggle to slow down super quick teams.
Santa Clara scored 93 against Oregon State in their regular season finale, and this is the Zags first game since losing to Saint Mary's to end their year. I expect Mark Few's team to come out with some extra fire since they are looking to rebound after the loss.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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