The NCAA Tournament is set to kick off with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the full tournament starting Thursday. Bettors are showing a strong inclination towards underdogs this year, following a trend of upsets in recent tournaments.
Last year's Final Four featured unexpected teams like San Diego State, Florida Atlantic, and Miami, showcasing the unpredictability of March Madness. This year, the madness began early with underdogs dominating conference tournaments and stealing bids from favored teams.
The rise of mid-major teams has been attributed to the NCAA transfer portal, allowing players from power programs to seek more playing time at smaller schools. This shift has narrowed the gap between mid-majors and power-conference teams.
Despite six Mountain West teams making the tournament, the selection committee's seedings have placed them in challenging positions. Notably, Utah State receiving an eight-seed after winning the Mountain West regular season raised eyebrows.
Experts have praised the committee for the top four seed lines but noted inconsistencies in the lower seedings. Teams like Nevada and Florida Atlantic were either under-seeded or over-seeded, creating intriguing matchups.
Virginia has garnered significant attention from bettors, with many backing them to beat Colorado State. However, professionals have favored Colorado State, causing a shift in the betting lines.
UConn is a popular choice among bettors to win the tournament, with their odds improving significantly. Other notable movements include Houston and Purdue, indicating shifting perceptions among bettors.
Lower-seeded teams like Drake, Michigan State, Nevada, New Mexico, and TCU are favored in matchups, adding to the tournament's unpredictability.
As the NCAA Tournament unfolds, fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating more upsets and surprises, making this year's March Madness one to watch.
For the latest updates on the NCAA Tournament bracket and coverage, visit the official AP March Madness hub.
