The defending national champion Connecticut Huskies are favored for a College Basketball lines repeat. At the onset, oddsmakers have UConn at the top of the board. Connecticut has been the best team in the Big East and one of the best values on board. Also garnering plenty of support is the Houston Cougars. Houston made a splash in its first season in the Big 12. The Purdue Boilermakers have been a top favorite from the very start of the campaign. Purdue dominated the Big Ten but now faces the ghosts of failures of the past.
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 NCAA Tournament Overview of Favorites
As always, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will have plenty of capable teams and potentially strong values. Somewhere, Cinderella is likely to emerge. So, too will there be giant killers.
Connecticut Huskies
Overall, Connecticut covered 20 out of 31 games. At the same time, they had a 28-3 straight-up record. UConn is one of the most balanced teams in the league. UConn ranks 30th in the nation for scoring offense and 13th for points allowed. Head coach Dan Hurley is an asset himself with the online wagering board. But the 2007 Florida Gators were the last team to repeat as national champions.
Houston Cougars
In like manner to UConn, the Houston Cougars are 28-3 straight up. But they covered only 14 out of 31 games against the March Madness lines. Houston has had cold dice down the stretch, with only two payouts in its last 11 games. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has masterminded the top defense in the nation. However, Houston’s offense remains inconsistent, ranking 165th for scoring offense.
Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers have finished in the AP Top 20 in seven of its last eight seasons. Also, they have ranked from 1st to 3rd this season. Yet with all of that success, head coach Matt Painter has delivered one Elite Eight and three Sweet Sixteen appearances. Last year, the Boilermakers were booted out in the first round.
Purdue ranks 11th out of 360 teams for scoring offense. Additionally, they are led by one of the greatest players in college basketball history. Zach Edey is averaging 24.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
Purdue failed to beat the NCAA Tournament odds in five of its last seven games. But the Boilermakers were slightly in the black overall this season despite heavy public betting action on them.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers were one of the best values on the board at the end of the season. For example, Tennessee got the cash in eight of its last 11 games. The Vols also clamped down to go under the total in six of their most recent seven games.