Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Championship Sunday
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sun Mar 15, 2026, 6:30 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Selection Sunday is here, but before we get a look at the bracket, we still have five more conference champions to crown! Take a look at our favorite NCAA Basketball picks for Sunday's conference title games.
Get in on all the March Madness action be checking out our betting guide.
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions March 15
Pennsylvania vs. Yale NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: Yale -10 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Yale beat Pennsylvania twice this year already, and I think they get a third in the Ivy League Championship. They've only lost at home once this season, by two to Harvard after being down eight at halftime. This number is large for a reason, and throughout the season the Bulldogs have been the most dominant team in the conference.
I don't think anything changes on Sunday, and I see Yale dancing for the third straight season.
#22 Vanderbilt vs. #17 Arkansas NCAA Basketball Picks
Tyler Tanner and Vanderbilt take on the Razorbacks in the SEC Championship
Best Bets: Vanderbilt TT Over 84 (-120) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
This spread is telling, and I think it means the Commodores will score plenty. We have two fast teams, so expect plenty of possessions for the Vandy shooters. They were 1.5 point underdogs at Arkansas earlier this season and lost by 23. Now on a neutral site, they are somehow 2.5 point favorites? Sure they just beat the top seeded Gators, but do they really deserve that much respect?
The answer is yes, because they've easily played tougher teams in the conference tourney already, and I doubt the Hogs shoot 58% from the field again.
Dayton vs. VCU NCAA Basketball Picks
While I don't have a bet in this specific matchup, I am waiting to cash a VCU to win the A-10 conference ticket, which is all I need for action in this game. Sure, that would involve the Rams beating the Flyers for a third time this year, but I think Dayton might be flying to close to the Sun after knocking off the top ranked Billikens on basically a buzzer beater.
Now, VCU took down the Flyers in the final game of the regular season on the road, so Dayton does have revenge on their mind. But VCU's defense, willingness to attack the hoop and three point shooting should carry them in this matchup.
Wichita State vs. South Florida NCAA Basketball Picks
Izaiyah Nelson has been a stud for the Bulls all year long. Can he lead them to the Big Dance?
Best Bets: South Florida -6 (-109) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I lean with South Florida to cover the spread, but I'll be pairing them with Michigan just to win for a +104 two team moneyline parlay. The Bulls split with the Shockers during the regular season, losing at home by one in overtime but beating them by eight in Wichita later on. They have not lost since January 31, winning 10 straight as they sit just one win away from their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012.
This team is cooking with gas at the moment, and going against my Grandma's favorite team hurts my soul a bit, but I am not willing to fade the Bulls in this spot. They've been too dominant all year long.
#18 Purdue vs. #3 Michigan NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bets: Michigan -6 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I'd be willing to lay a lot of points with the Wolverines in their rematch with Purdue, but I'll just take the ML and pair them with South Florida. They already beat the Boilermakers in Mackey Arena by 11 at 2.5 point favorites, and now are laying two possessions on a neutral site.
Michigan has escaped some close games in this tournament so far, beating Ohio State by four and Wisconsin by three, but I am a guy with zero faith in Purdue. They beat Nebraska who is nowhere close to being the second best team in the Big Ten, and a UCLA team that can't win in the Midwest. While Purdue has more motivation to win from an NCAA Tournament seeding perspective, I don't think it will be enough to take down the Wolverines who keep finding ways to win.
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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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