Mad about March -3/8/23
It is officially conference tournament times with some tournament spots already sewn up with conference titles. Here’s how the top teams stack up before conference tournament play.
This week’s Top Four in the college basketball landscape:
#1. Houston - The Cougars survived a scare from Memphis on Sunday. A conference tournament title will assure them the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +600
#2. UCLA - The Bruins’ veteran-laden squad is making its move. A big win over Arizona sets UCLA up for a #1 seed in the tournament.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +850
#3. Kansas - Kansas had the Big 12 regular season title in hand heading into Texas. The loss won’t affect the Jayhawks' #1 seed hopes. If they reach the Big 12 conference final, they’ll get a #1 seed.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +850
#4. Alabama - ‘Bama was taken down by the Aggies on Saturday and dropped to the #4 spot. Keep an eye on the Crimson Tide in the SEC Tournament. This team doesn’t have the swagger they had prior to some outside issues.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +750
Best of the Rest:
#5. Purdue - Purdue looked dominant at home against Illinois on Sunday in the first half. The shaky finish was worrisome. What happens if Zach Edey gets into foul trouble in the tourney? Does this team have enough to overcome it?
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1200
#6. Gonzaga - I am still very high on the Zags. Multiple offensive weapons and they are playing their best basketball at the perfect time. If the Zags waltz through the WCC Tournament, watch out!
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2000
#7. Marquette - Marquette earned this spot in a very competitive Big East. A Big East Tournament win gives the Golden Eagles a strong argument for a #1 seed.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2500
#8. UConn - Like Gonzaga, the Huskies are playing their best basketball at the right time. If Marquette is the favorite to win the Big East, UConn is a very close second.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2000
Best Future Odds:
We are talking title odds here right now and not Cinderella stories that will possibly make a run to the elite eight. So, with that in mind, I will once again submit Gonzaga as a legitimate contender with great odds at the moment, +2000.
NCAA Title odds courtesy of Vegas Insider
By Mark Ruelle