Rohit Ponnaiya
Rohit Ponnaiya
7+ years experience 7+ years experience
With a background playing soccer, rugby, and boxing, combined with a journalism degree, it's little surprise that Rohit gravitated towards the world of sports betting. He specializes in betting on UFC and college basketball, two sports where the eyeball test can tell you a lot more about matchups than any analytics. Rohit has years of experience handicapping NFL and NBA games as well as niche betting markets such as politics and Oscar odds. He's also the resident CFL expert and formerly hosted "The Chez and Ro Show" with former CFL star Davis Sanchez.
You can catch Rohit breaking down every UFC event with Joe Osborne on "P4P Picks" on the Covers YouTube channel and he also has regular appearances on "Before You Bet" with Joe. In addition, he's a regular guest on "By The Book" on the Monumental Sports Network and makes guest appearances on VSIN's "The Handle" and CBS Sports.
Rohit primarily makes his bets at bet365, which offers a wide variety of prop markets, but also has accounts at several others so he can shop around for the best prices. For Rohit, bankroll management is key. He believes you should never bet what you can't afford to lose and maximize those few betting opportunities where books misprice a line.
Sport to bet on: NCAA basketball
Sports movie: Raging Bull
Sports snack: Chicken Wings (Baked, breaded and extra spicy)
Covers feature: News and analysis
Best Betting Memory
Worst Beat
Oregon vs Arizona Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: Expect the Ducks to make a game of it when former Pac-12 foes Oregon and Arizona meet for the right to advance to the Sweet 16.
Saint Mary's vs Alabama Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
Defense has been an afterthought for No. 2 Alabama this season, which should open the door for No. 7 Saint Mary's wing Luke Barrett in Sunday's East Region matchup.
Baylor vs Duke Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: Cooper Flagg looked no worse for wear in Friday's opening round. Expect the Blue Devils to cruise to another decisive win against the Bears.
BYU vs Wisconsin Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: The Badgers' defensive play will limit the Cougars enough to score the victory.
Liberty vs Oregon Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: Liberty seems like an enticing upset pick, but a terrible travel schedule mixed with the size of Oregon will help the Ducks cover.
Akron vs Arizona Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today's March Madness Game
With the Zips' offense operating efficiently and hitting threes at a high rate, the Wildcats could have trouble pulling away in this East Region opener at Climate Pledge Arena.
Vanderbilt vs Saint Mary's Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today's March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: This East Region clash between No. 10 Vanderbilt and No. 7 Saint Mary's will be a hard-fought slog with Tyler Nickel finding his stroke from deep.
Mount St. Mary's vs Duke Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's March Madness Game
Congrats to Mount St. Mary's for winning their First Four game and getting to play on Friday. However, the step up in opposition cannot be overstated which is why Rohit Ponnaiaya is fading the Mountaineers offense.
Robert Morris vs Alabama Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's March Madness Game
Alvaro Folgueiras dominated the glass all year in the Horizon League, and we expect the Robert Morris big man to make his presence felt in this East Region opener.
Baylor vs Mississippi State Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
A near pick'em highlights one of the upcoming East Region matchups, with Rohit Ponnaiaya backing the Bears as slight underdogs in Raleigh.
VCU vs BYU Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: With BYU well-rested and thriving in altitude, the Cougars will pull away from the Rams in this East Region showdown.
Canadian Federal Election Odds: Carney-Led Liberals Draw Even With Conservatives
With speculation growing that a Canadian Federal Election will be called soon, the Liberals and Conservatives are now in a dead heat at most major sports betting sites.
Montana vs Wisconsin Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's March Madness Game
Ponnaiya's prediction: The Badgers will make quick work of the Grizzlies in this East Region showdown.
March Madness Predictions Including an 11-1 Longshot
Rohit Ponnaiya breaks down his favorite March Madness predictions for Round One, including an 11-1 longshot for Akron vs. Arizona.
March Madness Bracket Predictions and Picks: Rohit Ponnaiya Takes Duke Over St. John's
Covers' Rohit Ponniaya's official March Madness bracket for 2025 does not call for many surprises past the Sweet 16, but he does have the SEC getting shut out of the National Championship Game with Duke beating St. John's.
March Madness Picks: Score Predictions for Every First Round Game
Rohit Ponnaiya breaks down the first round and gives you his best March Madness picks and score predictions for each game.
Tennessee vs Florida Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's SEC Championship Game
The Gators are hot, but Tennessee's defense is plenty capable of cooling them down and keeping this title game close.
Celtics vs Nets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
With the defending champs steamrolling the Atlantic Division and now facing one of the worst teams in the East, Rohit Ponnaiya has no trouble laying the points with the Celtics.
Tennessee vs Auburn Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's SEC Tournament Game
Two elite teams meet in the SEC semifinals on Saturday and as Rohit Ponnaiya explains, the Vols keep things close.
Alabama vs Florida Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's SEC Tournament Game
Two big-time offenses collide in the SEC semifinal, and our expert college basketball predictions expect a high-scoring affair this afternoon at Bridgestone Arena.
