2017 March Madness Future Odds & Analysis The wait is finally over. March Madness has begun. Conference tournaments are in full swing, and the selection committee is hard at work narrowing down the list of teams worthy enough to receive invites to the Big Dance. Surprises will be unveiled and bubbles will burst. Some fan bases will be ecstatic on Selection Sunday, while others will be despondent. That’s what makes this time of year so exciting.
Leading up to the Field of 64 tipping off on March 16th, several questions must be answered. Can the Pac-12 be awarded two number one seeds? How many ACC schools will get their tickets punched? Which teams will cry foul after being snubbed? Will Donald Trump take a break from tweeting to fill out a blank tourney bracket? All shall be revealed in a few short days.
In the meantime, let’s dig into the minds of oddsmakers at BetOnline.ag and breakdown who they believe are the teams to beat in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
The Big Four
The probable top four seeds in the tourney are (and their futures)
- Kansas +600
- North Carolina +650
- UCLA +700
- Villanova +750
Kansas has the nation’s best player in Frank Mason III and signature wins over Duke, Kentucky, and Baylor. Meanwhile, Carolina and UCLA are peaking at the right time and boast two of the most dangerous starting five units in college hoops. And then there’s the defending champion Wildcats, who like a season ago are being overlooked. The team that cuts down the nets in April will likely come from this quartet, with the Tar Heels looking better by the day.
Trendy, but Buyer Beware
The Zags have enjoyed a terrific season, but they’ve been down this road many times before. A #2 seed is a certainty, but a weak strength of schedule and one quality win (vs Arizona) outside of WCC play has them a prime candidate to exit early. Kentucky has played a murderer’s row of opponents outside of the surprisingly competitive SEC, including matchups with Kansas, UCLA, North Carolina, and Louisville. Smart money loves them at this price.
- Gonzaga +900
- Kentucky +1100
- Duke +1200
- Oregon +1200
- Arizona +1400
Duke could either lose in the opening round or advance to the Final Four. They rely on three-point shooting too much, have no bench, and have stumbled down the stretch. Plus, Grayson Allen seems one false move away from imploding. Oregon has the Pac-12 Player of the Year in forward Dillon Brooks and a stingy defense. Arizona has been unimpressive against elite competition.
Sleeper City
There’s plenty of value in this group. They all hail from power conferences and are battle tested. Louisville faced the second toughest schedule in the country and has 10 Top 25 matchups on their resume. Florida isn’t far behind with the 7th toughest slate, but only one Top 25 victory is cause for concern. The Seminoles have hung tough in the brutally arduous ACC all season long led by deadly scorer Dwayne Bacon.
- Louisville +1600
- West Virginia +2000
- Florida +2200
- Florida State +2500
- Baylor +2800
- Virginia +2800
Baylor plays great defense, while West Virginia thrives at launching threes. Neither is sexy, but both are capable of springing an upset or two. Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers would’ve excelled in the Big Dance if they existed before the three-point shot was introduced to the college game back in 1987. The best defense in the nation will only go so far on a team that struggles to hit 60 points most nights.
If the Slipper Fits
- SMU +4000
- Butler +4500
- Notre Dame +5000
- Wichita State +6600
- Creighton +8000
SMU forward Semi Ojeleye is the best player nobody has heard of. If he gets hot, the Mustangs can make a run. Butler is in a familiar spot, boasting a solid roster that has beaten Arizona, and Villanova twice. If they are handed a favorable draw, look out. The Irish flop versus elite foes, but sizzling long-range shooting makes them intriguing.
Wichita State has beaten one Top 50 school, but they stared down Louisville and Michigan State in defeat, and are solid at both ends of the floor. Creighton is a dart board choice for sure, but two wins over Butler and one of the country’s most lethal scoring guards in Marcus Foster is reason to raise an eyebrow.
Why the Hell Not?
- South Carolina +20000
- TCU +35000
The Gamecocks bring it on defense every night and knocked off Michigan, Syracuse, and Florida during the season. They’re a bubble team that deserves a spot in the field. The Pirates are another bubble team who are hoping that late season wins over Creighton and Butler will be enough to impress the Committee.
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