First Four Player Props Today: Best March Madness Picks For Matchups on Day 1

March Madness is officially here, with the NCAA Tournament kicking off today. First Four only gives us two games tonight, but that smaller slate can actually make NCAA player props today a little cleaner to attack.

Roles are more defined, rotations tighten up, and there are a few players in these matchups whose season-long production and recent usage make these lines stand out.

Here are the best player props for the NCAA Tournament today.

Odds via BetMGM

DJ Armstrong Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-180)

Armstrong is UMBC’s top perimeter threat and one of the clearest volume shooters in this matchup. He has consistently shown the willingness to fire from deep, which is exactly what you want when betting a low made-threes line. UMBC leans on his shot-making to stretch the floor and generate offense, especially in competitive games. If he gets his normal minutes and shot diet, two made threes is a very reasonable number to clear.

Cedric Taylor Over 15.5 Points (-125)

Taylor has been one of Howard’s most dependable scorers all season and carries a major offensive role. He plays heavy minutes, gets a steady stream of touches, and has the kind of scoring versatility that helps in tournament settings. In a game that should stay relatively tight, Howard is likely to lean on him as one of its primary options from start to finish. That volume alone gives him a strong chance to get past this number.

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Tramon Mark Over 14.5 Points (-126)

Mark has taken on a larger offensive burden down the stretch and has shown more aggression as a scorer lately. He's played in plenty of big moments in his career, and his ability to create his own shot and operate with the ball in his hands gives him multiple paths to points in this matchup. Texas also projects to be in the more up-tempo game of the night, which should help create extra possessions and scoring opportunities. If this game opens up offensively, Mark has a very real chance to get into the mid-to-high teens.

Darrion Williams Over 3.5 Rebounds (-150)

Williams is the type of player whose all-around role makes a modest rebound line appealing. He plays enough minutes and stays involved enough on both ends to regularly put himself in position to clean up misses. In a matchup that should have pace and shot volume, there should be plenty of rebound chances available. Getting to four boards is a very manageable ask for a player with his workload, especially given the fact that he's proven to step up in March Madness during his career.

Quadir Copeland Over 6.5 Assists (+102)

Copeland is the engine of NC State’s offense and the player most responsible for getting teammates organized and involved. His role as a facilitator gives this prop a strong foundation because the ball is in his hands so often. In a game with real scoring upside, the assist chances should be there if NC State is knocking down shots at a normal rate. Getting plus money on a player with this kind of playmaking responsibility makes this one especially appealing.

With just two games on the board, this is the type of slate where focusing on usage and role is key when targeting NCAA player props today. These five plays offer a strong mix of volume and value to start March Madness.

Want to bet on game lines for this pair of First Four Games today? Head over to Thrillzz before the games begin.

All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. ET on March 16