Mad about March -2/15/23
Mad about March
Most conferences are down to the team’s last five or six conference games. Another week and more shifting at the top. So let’s take a look at our fourth week of college basketball top teams.
This week’s Top Four in the college basketball landscape:
#1. Alabama - The Crimson Tide continue to pace the SEC and remain perfect in league play. Wednesday’s game at Tennessee could decide the Tide’s likelihood to earn a #1 seed in the Tournament.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +900
#2. Purdue - The Boilermakers dropped their third game of the season on Sunday to Northwestern. Purdue still looks like the favorite to win the Big Ten this season and a Big Ten Tournament win should earn them a #1 seed to one of the four regions.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +900
#3. Houston - The Cougars get bumped down as Purdue drops a spot. Not being in a power five conference and having the 97th ranked strength of schedule hurts them a bit.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +700
#4. Texas - The Longhorns cling to a ½ game lead in the Big 12 over Kansas. The winner has a great shot at a top seed. The Longhorns’ odds remain high with an unproven, interim head coach.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2200
Best of the Rest:
#5. Kansas - The Jayhawks should be feared as the team rounds into form with five games left, three at home, and then the Big 12 tournament. A strong close and a tournament win and the defending champs could be a top seed. A strong week lowered the Jayhawks odds considerably. Maybe it's time to jump on board.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1400
#6. UCLA - Arizona’s upset loss is the Bruins’ gain. With the Big 12 crowded with top teams, the Bruins could run the table and find themselves with a top seed.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1400
#7. Baylor - The Bears jump into our Top Eight after a big win at TCU and the Tennessee Volunteers’ recent struggles. A huge game at Kansas looms on Saturday.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2200
#8. Virginia - The ACC is still the ACC and Virginia could end up on top. The Hoos have one of the best defenses in the country and their coach is tournament tested. Keep an eye on their odds.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2500
Best Future Odds:
I mentioned Gonzaga last week and look who is sitting at 11th in the country and still a fantastic buy at +2800. Want another team? How about Arizona at +1400? The Wildcats have size and shooting and experience at point guard.
In parenthesis, NCAA Tournament title odds. Odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle