College Basketball Betting

2020-21 NCAA Basketball Betting Preview

We’re into March now, and with the Madness right around the corner, it’s time to get you ready for all of the insane college basketball action we’re about to devour. Heading into postseason play, three teams have emerged as the main contenders for the championship: undefeated Gonzaga as well as one-loss Baylor and two-loss Michigan. In this installment, we take a look at these favourites, along with the most intriguing contenders and underdogs that have the potential to make some noise this month.  

2021 NCAA Basketball Favourites  

Gonzaga Bulldogs +250 Odds to Win March Madness

Gliding effortlessly through the regular season by mowing down their competition, the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs have their sights set on the NCAA tournament in hopes of capturing their first national title. They lead the country by a mile in points per game at 92.9 (Colgate is second at 85.7) and will almost certainly partake in the main event as a No. 1 seed. It’s easy to see why this ultra-talented team is the outright favourite for the crown at +250 March Madness odds. 

Baylor Bears +300 Odds to Win March Madness  

After being dealt their first loss of the season at Kansas on February 27, the Bears had a nice bounce back tilt facing another conference foe West Virginia to claim the Big 12 regular season title on March 2. It was an impressive shooting exhibition from both squads, with Baylor notching a rightfully earned 94-89 victory in overtime. The sky’s the limit for Scott Drew’s team. 

Michigan Wolverines +300 Odds to Win March Madness  

Following a string of seven consecutive wins, the Wolverines ran out of steam in their March 2 matchup against Illinois and lost 76-53. The Fighting Illini paralyzed Michigan’s offense, allowing a measly 34.7% shooting from the floor, despite losing their top player Ayo Dosunmu to injury. Fans in Ann Arbor are hoping this is just a one-off blip on the Wolverines’ radar and that they’ll be firmly in contention come tournament time at +300 championship odds. 

2021 NCAA Basketball Contenders   

Oklahoma Sooners +4000 Odds to Win March Madness  

Currently on a three-game losing skid, including two Bedlam Series defeats at the hands of rivals Oklahoma State, the 16th-ranked Sooners find themselves right in the thick of things in the Big 12 standings. Oklahoma is definitely making the NCAA tournament, and should Austin Reaves and company heat up at the right time, they could be a dangerous out at +4000 odds to win the national championship. 

Connecticut Huskies +5000 Odds to Win March Madness  

UConn ranks third in the Big East standings with a conference record of 9-6 (12-6 overall) behind ranked Villanova and Creighton. Unfortunately for them, they haven’t been able to overcome a ranked opponent yet this year, but they’ve come close. The strength of this Huskies team is their inside presence on defense; they’re tied for fifth in the nation with 5.4 blocked shots per game. Look for a strong effort from this squad at +5000 NCAA basketball odds. 

North Carolina Tar Heels +6600 Odds to Win March Madness  

It’s been a topsy-turvy campaign for North Carolina, with some impressive wins, but also head-scratching losses. Absent a dominant individual scorer, the Tar Heels rely on balance and effort on the offensive side of the ball, leading the nation in offensive rebounds at 15.6. This is a blue-chip program that’s enjoyed a lot of success historically, and they’re certainly a contender once again this year on the NCAA basketball lines. 

2021 NCAA Basketball Underdogs   

Dayton Flyers +12500 Odds to Win March Madness  

Dayton fans are hoping for a deep Atlantic 10 conference tournament run to improve their chances of making the big dance. Guards Jalen Crutcher and Ibi Watson both average over 15 points per game while shooting efficiently from the floor. The Flyers may be worth a shot at +12500 NCAA basketball betting odds. 

Syracuse Orange +25000 Odds to Win March Madness  

A 72-70 victory over North Carolina on March 1 will certainly increase Syracuse’s chances of making the tournament, but they’ll likely need to win a few games in the ACC championship to guarantee their spot. 

Stanford Cardinal +15000 Odds to Win March Madness  

Stanford will look to right the ship after a disappointing end of February, which concluded with three straight conference losses to Washington State, Oregon and Oregon State. March would be a great time to shine for projected top 10 NBA draft pick in Ziaire Williams.

*Odds as of March 16, 2021