Texas Southern vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Odds, Opening Spread, Predictions for 2023 NCAA Tournament

Texas Southern vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Odds

With the men's 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket finally set, March Madness is officially underway.

Find out how Texas Southern and Fairleigh Dickinson matchup statistically in their First Four game, plus how our college basketball betting experts are projecting this first-round matchup to play out.

Texas Southern vs Fairleigh Dickinson will tip off at 6:40 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 15 on truTV.

UPDATE: For our best bet and betting preview for Texas Southern vs Fairleigh Dickinson, check out our Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Texas Southern Odds, Picks | NCAA Tournament First Four Betting Preview (Wednesday, Mar. 15).

Statistical Matchup

Instant Analysis

Texas Southern is smoking hot at the exact right time. After winning the SWAC Tournament as a No. 8 seed, the Tigers will look to continue the good fortune in a play-in game.

Head coach Johnny Jones led Texas Southern to its third straight SWAC Tournament title after a tough stretch in January and February. No stranger to play-in games, Texas Southern has won these matchups in consecutive years and will now look for its third in as many years.

Fairleigh Dickinson, winners of the 2023 NEC Tournament, will be making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2019. The Knights relied on outstanding offense this season, leading the conference in scoring offense with an average of 77.8 points per game. Fairleigh Dickinson has struggled defensively, finishing the season as the 361st-ranked defense in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.

This will be the first-ever meeting between these two programs. Look for Texas Southern to be a slight favorite in Dayton.

My initial inclination is to take the over in this game at 139 or better and to lean on Texas Southern’s Big Dance experience at -3.5 or better.

— Patrick Strollo

For more coverage of the 2023 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.

Don't forget to print out your 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket, as well — and while you're there, enter the bet 365 Bracket Challenge content for your chance to win up to $10,000,000. Enter for free at actionnetwork.com/bracket.