San Diego State vs. Charleston odds, picks, TV channel: Expert predictions for NCAA Tournament first round game

Charleston played its way into the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2017-18 season after rolling through the Colonial Athletic Association regular season and then winning the conference tournament It draws a matchup with No. 5 seed San Diego State in the South Region. San Diego State is a small favorite entering the game, looking to win its first NCAA tournament game since 2015.

Tip-off is set for 3:10 p.m. ET on Thursday from Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The game will be broadcast on TruTV.

Charleston likes to play an up-tempo game and is not afraid to let loose from 3-point range, averaging 30.2 3-point attempts per game, the second-highest total in the country (behind only Cornell). The Cougars also boast five players averaging double digits in scoring this season, but they have yet to face a defense as good as San Diego State’s.

The Aztecs are not a particularly dominant team offensively, with only one player (Matt Bradley) averaging double digits in scoring (12.9 per game). As a team, the Aztecs 72.3 points per game is 173rd in the country.

But while San Diego State lacks offensive firepower (and star power), it more than makes up for it with depth (eight different players average at least 15 minutes per game and score at least six points per game) and smothering defense. In 11 games since the start of February, the Aztecs have not allowed more than 71 points and only twice allowed more than 66. In four of those games, they have limited opponents to under 55 points.

What: South Region, first round

Tipoff time: 3:10 p.m. ET Thursday

TV: truTV

Location: Amway Center, Orlando