The Tremendous Bowl. The World Sequence. The Masters. The Kentucky Derby. The NCAA Event. And possibly much more. There are sports activities, after which there are must-see, can’t-miss sporting occasions. It’s debatable what’s the finest or most compelling. However what is just not debatable is which sport owns the month of March.
Soccer concludes in early February. The NBA and NHL haven’t reached their playoff peaks but. And MLB is in Spring Coaching mode. That leaves the third month of the calendar 12 months all to varsity basketball because the sports activities world turns its consideration to the bracket and March Insanity professional picks cascade all through the nation.
Prior to now few years, it’s felt like skilled parity has trickled all the way down to the faculty ranks, as though the 2022 Ultimate 4 featured loads of blue blood, a clear-cut winner wasn’t actually determined till the Championship sport. 2023 is not any totally different, as wherever from 12-14 packages have a legit shot to chop down the nets in Houston.
And talking of Houston, the Cougars have been one of many favorites for almost all of the season, so they might have an enormous benefit in the event that they had been lucky sufficient to advance to NRG Stadium as one of many final 4 groups remaining.
However for the needs of this text, we’re excluding Houston and Purdue and specializing in some groups with a greater worth to win all of it. Let’s spotlight 4 groups that might doubtlessly fill their faculty’s pockets and yours.
Kansas Jayhawks (+1200)
Remember the fact that these odds will fluctuate over the subsequent couple of months, however in the event you’re nonetheless getting double-digit odds on the Jayhawks at any level, it’d be prudent to pounce. Had they not received all of it final 12 months, these odds would in all probability be decrease.
Oddsmakers notice that it’s extraordinarily tough to go back-to-back (it hasn’t been finished since 2006-07 with Florida), in order that may be the primary issue going towards them.
However Kansas has a participant of the 12 months candidate in Jalen Wilson and top-of-the-line coaches within the nation in Invoice Self. You possibly can argue that one of the best crew in one of the best convention has been six alternative ways all through this season, however there’s one thing to be stated for expertise, one thing the opposite 5 contenders within the Large 12 don’t have lately.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (+2500)
Mark Few has constructed a dynasty within the Nice Northwest, and he’s bought one other contender this 12 months. Sure, they’ve by no means received all of it, and bettor fatigue might have set in, contemplating they’ve been the favorites a handful of occasions during the last decade. However they’ve been to the title sport twice and, if it’s attainable, are flying underneath the radar this time round.
That may be one of the best time to take benefit. When was the final time the Bulldogs had been higher than 20-1 in February? They’ve nonetheless bought Drew Timme, and so they’ve truly been examined within the WCC this 12 months, possibly hardening them greater than once they coasted via the convention like in years previous. Too good to move up.
North Carolina Tar Heels (+3500)
Gonzaga was the runner-up in 2021, whereas UNC had an up-close have a look at Kansas’ trophy ceremony in 2022. Many consultants felt that the Tar Heels would use that as motivation to get again to the Large Dance this 12 months and slotted them as the highest crew within the land to start out the season.
And whereas they haven’t lived as much as these No.1 expectations, North Carolina nonetheless has the core group that led them on that magical run and, assuming they qualify for the NCAA Event, have the required expertise to duplicate it this 12 months.
Creighton Blue Jays (+3500)
Identical value because the Tar Heels and comparable season path. Creighton began the 12 months as a High 10 crew however fell out of the rankings once they endured a six-game dropping streak. It’s vital to notice, nevertheless, that they had been lacking stud heart Ryan Kalkbrenner throughout that stretch, and his return propelled the Jays again right into a crew value watching.
The value on Creighton has come down significantly ever since Kalkbrenner got here again. It was +5000 at one level, +4500 proper after that, and it received’t keep at 35-1 for very lengthy, both. You may nonetheless get a pleasant value on this crew to make the Ultimate 4 in the event you aren’t keen to go all the way in which with them.
It needs to be an excellent event full of upsets and surprises that instructions the complete consideration of the month of March. Better of luck.