The college basketball madness formally begins this week. This ought to be an absolute blast.
Final week, I gave you four teams whose title futures have been price a wager. This week, I am specializing in the primary spherical.
Let’s dive into a number of squads that I believe will make some noise over the following few days.
And sure, I even threw a parlay in there for good measure.
No. 16 SIU Edwardsville @ No. 1 Houston
No. 16 Norfolk State @ No. 1 Florida
Huge numbers to put, and also you gained’t get wealthy constantly betting four-touchdown favorites, but it surely’s a straightforward approach to dip your toe into the event. Apart from Duke, these are the 2 finest groups within the nation, and they need to annihilate their opponents within the first spherical. Their velocity and tenacity — particularly on protection — overwhelms groups that haven’t seen it earlier than.
Houston gained final 12 months’s first-round sport as a 1-seed by 40, and this 12 months’s group is healthier. Should you don’t just like the parlay, contemplate the Gators to eclipse their group whole, because the top-ranked offense within the nation faces a protection that charges 217th.
PICK: Parlay Houston (-29) to win by greater than 29 factors and Florida (-28) to win by greater than 28 factors
No. 12 UC San Diego @ No. 5 Michigan
I wrote concerning the Tritons final week on this area. Then they gained the Huge West Match, and now they’re an attractive decide to topple Michigan. Not one of the 5-seed groups are spectacular, and Michigan is coming off an excellent run within the Huge Ten Match. In latest historical past, groups that win that tourney carry out poorly in March Insanity. Two of the final three Huge Ten tourney champs misplaced within the first spherical (Iowa, Purdue). It is a potential matchup nightmare for Michigan, which ranks 328th within the nation in turnover proportion. UC San Diego ranks second in forcing turnovers. Michigan ranks 195th in 3-point capturing and 159th in free throw capturing. UC San Diego is 57th and 93rd, respectively.
Positive, Michigan might simply pound it inside to the 2 7-footers and simply put on down the skinny Tritons. UC San Diego would not have a bench to deal with foul issues or any rotation participant over 6-foot-8. However I am betting on rising teaching star Eric Olen and the Tritons to maintain it shut lengthy sufficient to cowl and maybe win outright.
PICK: UC San Diego (+3) to lose by fewer than 3 factors or win outright
March Insanity early finest bets: Predictions, odds & wagers
No. 12 Colorado State @ No. 5 Memphis
The Rams snuck up on Virginia final 12 months within the tourney to drag a light upset, and this 12 months, they’re favored over the 5-seed Tigers. Colorado State has the very best participant on the courtroom, 23-year-old Nique Clifford — a scoring machine who has six video games of 25 factors or extra this season.
Memphis gained’t reveal the standing of level guard Tyrese Hunter, who has had memorable moments for Iowa State and Texas. He was in a strolling boot on Sunday, and it’s unclear if he’ll play. If he doesn’t play, the Rams ought to cruise to victory.
PICK: Colorado State (-2) to win by greater than 2 factors
No. 14 Montana @ No. 3 Wisconsin
Can’t inform if I like Montana within the first half or full sport, so I’d simply wager them each.
The Badgers seemed nice, successful 4 video games in 4 days to succeed in the Huge Ten title sport, earlier than wilting late towards Michigan. Wisconsin scouts the league so effectively. The Badgers at all times appear to carry out nice within the Huge Ten tourney, then disappoint within the precise Match. Final 12 months, they reached their convention ultimate, misplaced, then laid an egg towards JMU within the first spherical. They didn’t cowl towards Colgate within the first spherical in 2022 and trailed by 5 early within the second half.
So 4 video games in 4 days and now Wisconsin has to journey to altitude to play an early sport on Thursday. Suboptimal.
The reluctance is that Montana’s protection is horrible, and the Huge Sky has been underwhelming in March. Within the final 20 years, the league is 1-20, with Montana securing the one win, again in 2006 over Nevada. It’s doable I’m a spherical early on my dislike for Wisconsin right here. However the Badgers will for certain get obtained by VCU or BYU within the second spherical.
PICK: Montana (+9.5 first half) to path by fewer than 9.5 factors or lead at halftime
Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports activities betting analyst who additionally writes concerning the NFL and NBA Draft. Earlier than arriving at FOX, he created the web site The Huge Lead. Observe him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized publication each day!
Get extra from School Basketball Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
