March Madness is here, bringing with it the highly anticipated Big Dance. Although the WVU Mountaineers won’t be competing in this year’s NCAA Tournament, there are countless reasons to get thrilled about the March Madness odds.
The event is highly regarded by bettors in the Mountain State and beyond, being considered one of the top events in the sports industry, offering numerous betting prospects.
After a year of deviation, the tournament has returned to its familiar schedule that many are accustomed to. In contrast to the previous year, the initial rounds now take place on Thursday and Friday, while the second round continues throughout the weekend.
There are a total of 48 games played during the initial four days, leading to the emergence of the Sweet 16.
Before that even happens, there is some work to be done. The process of trimming down the field from 68 to 64 starts on Tuesday night with the First Four.
Online sportsbooks in West Virginia have already posted odds for these matchups, along with most of the first-round games.
March Madness odds at WV sportsbooks
Just like WV sportsbooks do with the Super Bowl, the NCAA Tournament also offers a wider range of markets. In addition to betting on the exciting lineup of games, there are also extra props and specials available.
Bettors have the option to determine the extent of a team’s success or predict the precise round in which they will be eliminated.
We will now analyze several highly sought-after markets, along with some intriguing odds available for March Madness.
NCAA Tournament futures
Selecting a team to emerge victorious in the entire tournament is a popular method for casual fans to place bets. Most teams have advantageous odds, allowing even small wagers to yield substantial payouts.
Opting for a winner (or multiple winners) is an effective means of engagement, avoiding the need to wager on numerous contests daily. Moreover, it guarantees bettors a victory if their chosen contender claims the title, unlike the uncertainties associated with participating in a bracket pool.
According to the odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook WV, there are currently 14 teams that have a legitimate chance of winning the National Championship. The online sportsbook has listed the following teams:
- Gonzaga +300
- Arizona +650
- Kentucky +800
- Kansas +850
- Baylor +1200
- Auburn +1200
- Villanova +1400
- Tennessee +1600
- Duke +1600
- UCLA +1800
- Purdue +2000
- Texas Tech +2200
- Iowa +2200
- Houston +2800
Following the Cougars, there is a significant decline in odds, as Illinois stands at +5000. Furthermore, UConn leads the subsequent tier with odds of +8000.
The essence of the NCAA Tournament lies in its upsets and unpredictability, yet it is uncommon for these underdogs to make it to the Final Four. Thus, when making your choice for the ultimate winner, it is advisable to favor one of the teams previously mentioned.
Odds to reach Sweet 16
Alternatively, one can consider adopting a different strategy, such as embracing the role of an underdog, in order to advance through a few rounds. To reach the Sweet 16, typically, two wins are required, unless a team is participating in one of the play-in games.
You can secure a satisfying victory with just a few unexpected wins by choosing the appropriate underdog team. Even some of the favorites in the first round offer potential to make it to the second weekend.
Teams such as Wisconsin, ranked third with odds of +125, Arkansas, ranked fourth with odds of +140, and Illinois, also ranked fourth with odds of +160, all possess great potential and offer returns that surpass even money.
By opting for this approach, you are essentially aiming to prevent an upset in the initial round, thereby greatly increasing your chances of securing another triumph. Depending on the amount wagered, you can always hedge the second individual contest to ensure a guaranteed win.
Regrettably, during this time of year, the frequency of upsets makes it challenging to achieve such ease.
It is worth noting that in the past 13 seasons, the top four teams in each region have only reached the second round. It may seem like a recent occurrence, but it has actually only happened five times in the last 36 events.
It appears highly probable that most favorites will progress, but it is almost certain that one or two will not.
NCAA Tournament specials
For gamblers who possess heightened confidence in their college basketball expertise, there exist additional markets to exploit.
DraftKings offers a unique opportunity to predict the exact moment when a team will be eliminated from the tournament.
Maybe certain supporters of WVU are tired of Kansas consistently contending for the championship and anticipate the Jayhawks being eliminated sooner than anticipated. According to the online sportsbook, there is a +400 chance of them losing in the Elite Eight or +500 chance at the Final Four.
Taking a future on when a team will lose may be an unconventional approach, but the odds are of good value regardless.
DraftKings presents an exhilarating market where you can predict the team that will progress further in the tournament. Within this market, there are numerous head-to-head options available. For instance, you can choose Arizona (+170) to advance beyond Gonzaga (-200), both of which are No. 1 seeds. Additionally, there are other intriguing matchups, such as the No. 9 UNC Tar Heels who are favored at -125 to outlast No. 4 Providence at +105.
Because these schools are located in different sections of the bracket, this bet focuses on the journey of each team and the possible opponents they might face within their respective regions.
WV sportsbooks offer multiple opportunities, even if your initial bets end early, by providing updated odds throughout the days and rounds.
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