“Everything is bigger in Texas.” So, goes the old saying anyway. And it’s hard to argue with that Texas Logic this week. In fact, Thursday offers one of the biggest sports days of the year. Live from Dallas will be four games on the card with the NCAA Basketball Championship Odds. Among the top commodities include Tennessee, Texas Tech and Florida. Many handicappers can credibly argue that this will be one of the most competitive brackets anywhere. With that in mind March Madness will reach its peak in Big D on Thursday!
2018 NCAA Tournament in Dallas
Date and Time: March 15 and March 17, 2018
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here to see the Lines
2018 NCAA Tournament TV Coverage: truTV
Matches and Schedules
Thursday action from Dallas with the NCAA basketball championship odds begins at 11:40 a.m. #14 Wright State will face #3 Tennessee to start the day. #11 Loyola of Chicago will play #6 Miami at 2:10 p.m. Nearby #3 Texas Tech will face #14 Stephen F. Austin at 6:27 p.m. Nightcap action pits #6 Florida against a First Four winner. Game time is at 8:57 p.m. Winners advance to play on Saturday.
Tennessee
Tennessee has earned plenty of online sportsbook credibility as SEC regular season champions. Head coach Rick Barnes has stabilized the Volunteers program. Defensively UT is among the best teams in the land. Most impressive was the Vols paying out in 18 of 31 games this year. Wright State won the Horizon League Tournament and has four straight covers. Also, a strong defensive team they went under the total 20 of 32 times.
Miami
Not much was expected from Miami yet here they are in the Big Dance. However, the Canes lost 15 of 26 lined games on the season. With no real strength they lack identity. Conversely Loyola Chicago lost only nine of 29 games vs. the odds. They have also paid out in seven of their last ten. Boasting the nation’s fifth ranked defense they smother opponents. As champions of the MVC they offer hidden value.
Texas Tech
Speaking of defense few teams clamp down better than Texas Tech. Despite the strong “D” the Red Raiders have failed to get the money in their last eight games. Slumping badly down the stretch Tech lacks consistent scoring. Stephen F. Austin is also a Texas school. Winners of the Southland the Lumberjacks covered four of their five games on the board this year.
Florida
Florida was an inconsistent team both on the floor and on the board this year. With a mark of 15-15-1 against the spread the Gators rate “Handle with Care.” On the positive UF paid in three of their final four games. Lacking identity, they lack the cache of most other teams. With a seeding of sixth the Gators could likely prove to be an overlay.
Matchup to Watch
Smart gamblers will be focusing on Loyola of Chicago. The Ramblers make for a top sleeper pick with the NCAA basketball championship odds. While lacking big name stars Loyola does offer grit and defense. Most of all they offer proven value and ability to get to the payout window. Miami is an uninspiring opponent.
2018 NCAA Tournament in Dallas Betting Odds Picks
In conclusion Loyola of Chicago is the pick over Miami.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Loyola of Chicago Ramblers
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Ramblers 71, Hurricanes 66