The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is like the Kentucky Derby, Masters Tournament, and Wimbledon. Specifically, March Madness draws plenty of casual action with the College Basketball lines. Fans and squares that ignore college hoops all year will plan vacations to have action on the NCAA Tournament. Especially the first weekend with all of the teams in action. Thus, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Duke will draw more action than deserved. But that opens up tremendous value opportunities elsewhere. Parity has rarely been as good as it is now in college hoops.
2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
| Dates: | First Four on March 19 and 20. Following the First Four are the first and second rounds from March 21 through March 24. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight run from March 28 through March 31. Then, the Final Four and the national championship game are held on April 6 and 8. |
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SBG 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | +450 |
| Houston | +650 |
| Purdue | +700 |
| Tennessee | +900 |
| Arizona | +1200 |
| Kentucky | +1600 |
| North Carolina | +1800 |
| Duke | +2000 |
| Creighton | +2500 |
| Marquette | +3000 |
| Iowa State | +3000 |
| Auburn | +3000 |
| Kansas | +4000 |
| Illinois | +4000 |
| Alabama | +5000 |
| Baylor | +5000 |
| Michigan State | +6000 |
| Wisconsin | +6000 |
| All Other teams | +7500 or Higher |
2024 Top Darkhorse Teams for March Madness
Kentucky Wildcats
Indeed, Kentucky is normally a name brand on the sports betting board. But John Calipari has presided over a team that has fallen short in recent years with the March Madness lines. Thus, Kentucky will offer a lower price and potentially better value in the 2024 tournament. Since its last Final Four in 2015, Kentucky has one Sweet Sixteen and one Elite Eight. And they are coming off a round of 64 and round of 32 finishes the past two seasons. Kentucky is loaded with offensive talent. Calipari could generate a deep run if they can tighten up just a little on defense.
Creighton Bluejays
Head coach Greg McDermott has transformed Creighton into a Big East and national power with the NCAA Tournament odds. Creighton is in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season and sixth out of the previous seven tourneys held. McDermott is coming off an Elite Eight season and a near miss for the Final Four in 2023. Yet Creighton has a better record this season. Creighton remains ignored by the masses. Thus, they could provide enhanced value and a quality team. Most important of all, Creighton was in the black this season. Creighton has an outstanding offense complemented by competent defense.
Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette has found the perfect fit in third-year head coach Shaka Smart, who arrived from Texas, where he was a fish out of water. The Madison, Wisconsin native is leading Marquette to March Madness for the third time in his three campaigns. Smart’s team showed a nice regular season profit and the ability to match up with the best. Marquette has an effective full court game.
Iowa State Cyclones
In like manner to Creighton and Marquette, Iowa State is a midwestern program that the masses ignore. The Cyclones were one of the most profitable teams on the board this season. Iowa State head coach TJ Otzelberger has built one of the most disciplined teams in the sport. He led the Cyclones to the 2022 Sweet Sixteen. This is Iowa State’s third Mach Madness under Otzelberger’s leadership in three years. Iowa State boasts the nation’s 5th best scoring defense.