March is about Cinderella, however most college basketball observers will tell you this is a top-heavy year. Online college basketball betting¬†will be in full swing across the country, and here’s some good options for who will get to Minneapolis and cut down the nets.
The favorite: Duke (9/4 odds at winning the national title) is the likely team heading to Minneapolis out of the East, and it’s no surprise considering the demolition we just witnessed in the ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils suit up three NBA lottery picks, and perhaps three of the top four picks in the draft. But the player that puts them over the top is of course, Zion Williamson. Without him Duke was a .500 team, and looked extremely vulnerable. With him they tore through the ACC tourney, which included a win over fellow 1-seed UNC.
Michigan is good value (16/1) and has a fantastic chance at making it out of the West to face Duke in the Final Four. The Wolverines were one of the best teams in perhaps the deepest conference in America, and John Beilein is easily one of the top 5 coaches in the country. They can shoot from the outside and play great defense. It’s a formula that works in March. The toughest matchup for them will be a frisky Nevada squad in the Round of 32.
Kentucky (12/1) has the coach who knows how to get deep into the tourney and has won a title before. John Calipari is known for recruiting tons of elite high school talent, but should get more credit for bringing them together as a team. The Wildcats have gotten better throughout the entire season, and have winnable games through the first three rounds. Wofford had an amazing season, but Kentucky will overwhelm them in the Round of 32. Houston has been terrific this season, but the Wildcats should be able to get by the Cougars. That leaves Roy Williams and the Tar Heels, and I think the Cats are up to the challenge.
Kansas State (50/1) is a valuable sleeper team in the Twin Cities. A 4-seed that was in the Elite 8 last year isn’t a true Cinderella, but the Cats could break open the South. If K-State gets past Wisconsin in the Round of 32, it finds itself in a battle with Virginia in the Sweet 16. But the Cavs, despite being the 1-seed, have annually underperformed in the tourney. Tennessee has had some ups and downs, and that could mean the Wildcats deal with Purdue in the Elite 8. It would mean plenty of purple in Minneapolis to fit in with Vikings and Prince fans.
