March Madness 2025 continues on Wednesday, March 19, with an exciting slate of second-day matchups, featuring potential upsets that could shake up the bracket.

Here’s a look at the March Madness Parlay of the Day to consider for Day 2 of the tournament as we finish the First Four before heading into the full tournament on Thursday, March 20.

First Four explained

​The ‘First Four’ refers to the initial round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, introduced in 2011 when the tournament expanded from 65 to 68 teams.

This round consists of four games played between eight teams, effectively narrowing the field from 68 to the traditional 64 teams that proceed to the main bracket.​

Matchups feature the four lowest-ranked automatic qualifiers, who are typically conference winners, and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams, who are selected based on overall season performance.

The four automatic qualifiers compete against each other, with the winners advancing to face No.1 seeds in the main bracket.​

The four at-large teams also compete against each other, with the winners advancing to face higher-ranked teams, often as No.11 or No.12 seeds, depending on the year’s bracket structure.​

The purpose of the First Four system is to accommodate more teams in the tournament without disrupting the traditional 64-team bracket structure.

It provides additional opportunities for college basketball teams on the bubble of selection to compete for a spot in the main draw, thereby increasing inclusivity and competition.​

March Madness Parlay of the Day

One of the most thrilling times of the year for bettors has arrived, and the top sports betting sites have every game covered throughout the tournament.

American -2.5 (-111)

American University are favored to beat Mount St. Mary’s, with a strong inside presence and efficient perimeter shooting. Their ability to control the tempo and limit turnovers should help them cover the spread.

Xavier -2.5 (-121)

Xavier have been playing solid basketball, especially in close contests. With strong defensive rotations and a balanced scoring attack, they should have the edge to win and cover the small spread against Texas.

Tre Johnson 15+ points (-454)

Longhorns shooting guard Tre Johnson has been a consistent scorer, averaging well above this threshold in recent games. With his ability to create his shot and attack the rim, hitting 15 or more points should be a reasonable expectation in this matchup.