By David Tulley
Editor's Note: The article below is part of our Betting Predators "March Madness 2021 Content Hub" series, where we'll be covering all aspects of the Big Dance, from opening weekend through the end of March and the National Championship game. To receive an alert/update every time we drop a new article, simply scroll down to the bottom of this page, enter your email address and click the "subscribe" button to the right. Any questions, comments or article topics you'd like to see covered in the future? Feel free to hit us up any time on Twitter (@BetPredators), or send us an an email to bettingpredators@gmail.com.
Florida vs. Virginia Tech (12:15 p.m. on CBS)
Florida: F K. Johnson
Virginia Tech: G. J. Cone, G C. Diarra
These are all replacement level players. This may affect Virginia Tech’s depth, but should not affect the line.
Arkansas vs. Colgate (12:45 p.m. on truTV)
Arkansas: F J. Williams, G K Robinson
Colgate: No injuries to report
Both teams come in fairly healthy with the only concern being backup Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams, who averages 15 minutes, four points and five rebounds per game, nothing significant to the line.
Texas Tech vs. Utah State (1:45 p.m. on TNT)
Texas Tech: G J. Burton
Utah State: No injuries to report
Texas Tech has one backup guard out indefinitely with a toe injury. Jamarius Burton was averaging 20 minutes a game, plus five points and two rebounds. This should not be enough to affect the line.
Ohio St vs. Oral Roberts (3 p.m. on CBS)
Ohio St: F K. Young, G J. Sotos
Oral Roberts: No injuries to report
Ohio St. comes into the tournament with only one key injury. Forward Kyle Young is dealing with a concussion he received during the Big 10 tournament. Young averages 26.3 minutes, 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, and he can be a key shooter from behind the arc (averaging 43.3%).
Loyola Chicago vs. Georgia Tech (4 p.m. on TBS)
Loyola Chicago: No injuries to report
Georgia Tech: F M. Wright, G T. Maxwell
Georgia Tech senior star and ACC player of the year Moses Wright will miss the first two rounds of the tournament this weekend due to an undisclosed ailment. This is a huge loss for Tech as Wright was averaging 17.4 points, six rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks. Wright will be missed on both ends.
Tennessee vs. Oregon State (4:30 p.m. on TNT)
Tennessee: F J. Fulkerson, F C. Walker Jr.
Oregon State: No injuries to report
Tennessee starting forward John Fulkerson is recovering from facial surgery after multiple elbows to the face and head in a game versus Florida during last week's SEC tournament. His timeline for a return has not been set, and he remains questionable for the first weekend. Walker is Tennessee’s leading rebounder, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game in 26.4 minutes. He also averages 10 ppg while shooting over 50%.
Oklahoma State vs. Liberty (6:25 p.m. on TBS)
Oklahoma State: G C. Harris Jr, G Donavon Williams
Liberty: No injuries to report
These injuries are insignificant as both players haven't played most of the season.
North Carolina vs. Wisconsin (7:10 p.m. on CBS)
North Carolina: G P. Johnson
Wisconsin: No injuries to report
North Carolina guard Puff Johnson is out indefinitely with a toe injury. This injury is insignificant, however, as Johnson is only averaging 4.1 minutes a game. Consider these teams fully healthy.
Houston vs. Cleveland State (7:15 p.m. on truTV)
Houston: F J Roberts, G C. Mills
Cleveland Stake: No injuries to report
Both teams come into this game in great shape. The only injury to report is a back up forward for Houston.
Purdue vs. North Texas (7:25 p.m. on TNT)
Purdue: G E. Morton
North Texas: G R. Jones
These teams come in very healthy and the injuries above are insignificant to the line.
San Diego State vs. Syracuse (9:40 p.m. on CBS)
San Diego State: No injuries to report
Syracuse: C B. Sidimema, C F. Anselem
These injuries are also insignificant as neither Syracuse center plays any significant minutes.
Villanova vs. Winthrop (9:57 p.m. on TNT)
Villanova: G Collin Gillespie
Winthrop: No injuries to report
Collin Gillespie is the heart and soul of this Villanova Wildcat team and one of the top two most significant injuries coming into the NCAA Tournament. He is Villanova’s assist leader (4.6 assists per game) and averages 33.4 minutes. Gillespie's 14 points and 3.3 rebounds per game will also be hard to replace.