2023 NCAA Tournament odds picks predictions best bets

March Madness: Final Four long shots worthy of NCAA Tournament futures bet

Analyzing NCAA Tournament futures betting odds and listing the best 4 long-shot predictions and picks to make the Final Four.

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March Madness is here. And it’s called madness for a reason because you never know what will happen in the coming weeks.

Below, we look at 4 teams with decent value and their NCAA Tournament Final Four futures odds from Tipico Sportsbook and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Futures bets are a fun way to make small plays and hope one of them can pay off big. The fun is not always to take the favorites, but to find that Cinderella team and follow along with them.

While a long shot usually doesn’t win, what if, for once, it did. Here are 4 teams seeded 5 or lower who could win the National Championship. But remember, these are not likely to hit, so just put a taste on them and do not overextend yourself.

See Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Final Four long-shot predictions

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines for team to make Final Four last updated Tuesday at 7:31 a.m. ET.

Duke Blue Devils (+750)

Bet $100 to win $750

No one is hotter entering the tourney than 5-seed Duke (26-8), which beat Virginia to win the ACC Tournament title on Sunday for its 9th straight victory.

Duke has a tough opening game against Oral Roberts (30-4). The Golden Eagles finished the Summit league season 18-0 and were the only team in Division I with an undefeated conference record. Its offense ranks 3rdin the nation at 84.1 points per game. Of course the members of the Summit League do not have the athletic talents of Duke.

The East region is loaded with great coaches and some good teams that Duke would need to beat out. First-year coach Jon Scheyer has his team ready. If Duke can continue to make its shots, something it finally started to do late in the season, the Blue Devils could be in for a Final Four run.

Arkansas Razorbacks (+1500)

Bet $100 to win $1500

Arkansas (20-13) somehow have a higher seed in the NCAA tournament than it did in its own conference tournament.

After starting the year ranked in the top 10, the 8th-seeded Razorbacks struggled after the loss of Nick Smith to injury. This midseason falter left Arkansas in a hole it could not climb out of when Smith returned. Coach Eric Musselman has a team which can knock down shots. But it can also go into long dry spells which makes it a dangerous proposition to bet on them to move on.

If Arkansas is able to defeat Illinois in Rround 1, Kansas likely awaits followed by a potential Sweet 16 meeting with St. Mary’s or UConn. This is an extremely difficult path to the Final Four, but Arkansas has the talent to make it to Houston.

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Iowa Hawkeyes (+2000)

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Another 8 seed I like for a run is Iowa (19-13), which opens against Auburn in the 1st round. Despite only 19 wins, Iowa has been battle tested in the Big Ten. If it gets past Auburn, it will not be afraid to bang with Houston in the paint. If Houston G Marcus Sasser is unable to be back, or not fully healthy, Iowa can take control of the game and defeat the Cougars.

All the teams in the Midwest have warts. Iowa can hit the shots needed to go far into this tournament. And despite 1-seed Houston standing in the way, I can see the Hawkeyes getting by the Cougars and getting to Houston for the Final Four.

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College of Charleston Cougars (+8000)

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I picked College of Charleston (31-3) over the Utah State Aggies (26-8) because I like the Cougars’ matchup with San Diego State in the 1st round better than the Aggies’ matchup with Missouri.

Charleston will run up and down the floor and hyper speed against an Aztecs team which does not want anything to do with that style of play. San Diego State could easily get worn down and the Cougars could pull away in the 2nd half of the game.

Charleston, which average 80.8 points per game (18th in the nation) can run and shoot like few others in the tournament. If it gets hot, it can beat anyone. Including Alabama in a potenial Sweet 16 showdown with Alabama. Is it likely? That’s whythey call is a long shot.

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March Madness: NCAA Tournament Midwest Region odds, picks and predictions

Looking at March Madness futures odds to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region, with expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The regular season is complete. The conference tournaments are in the past. Now it is time for the best time of the year. March Madness.

Below, we look at Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament Midwest Region futures odds and and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Houston, which lost its conference title game without star Marcus Sasser, comes into the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest. The Cougars received a difficult draw with either Iowa or Auburn in the 2nd round. Although the Cougars are the favorite to get through this region, they are likely not my pick, especially if Sasser is unable to return.

There are some intriguing lower-seed teams in this bracket. Unfortunately for some, they do not have good matchups, but there will be upsets. There always are. A few could come out of the Midwest. Texas A&M and Miami better be on their toes.

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Midwest Region futures odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines for team to win region last updated Monday at 4:18 p.m. ET.

1 seed: Houston Cougars +135 (bet $100 to win $135)

2 seed: Texas Longhorns +400 (bet $100 to win $400)

3 seed: Xavier Musketeers +1000 (bet $100 to win $1000)

4 seed: Indiana Hoosiers +1200 (bet $100 to win $1200)

5 seed: Miami Hurricanes +1200 (bet $100 to win $1200)

6 seed: Iowa State Cyclones +1500 (bet $100 to win $1500)

7 seed: Texas A&M Aggies +1800 (bet $100 to win $1,800)

8 seed: Iowa Hawkeyes +1500 (bet $100 to win $1500)

9 seed: Auburn Tigers +3000 (bet $100 to win $300)

10 seed: Penn State Nittany Lions +4000 (bet $100 to win $4000)

11 seed: Mississippi State/Pitt +6000 (bet $100 to win $6000)

12 seed: Drake Bulldogs +5000 (bet $100 to win $5000)

13 seed: Kent State Golden Flashes +10000 (bet $100 to win $10000)

14 seed: Kennesaw State Owls +10000 (bet $100 to win $10000)

15 seed: Colgate Raiders +10000 (bet $100 to win $10000)

16 seed: Northern Kentucky Norse +10000 (bet $100 to win $10000)

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Midwest Region expert pick and prediction

Texas Longhorns (+440)

Texas has dealt with a lot this season, but it was still able to win the Big 12 Conference Tournament over Kansas and comes in as the No. 2 seed in a region headed by a weakened Houston squad.

If Texas is able to make it through to the Elite Eight and Houston is able to keep form, this will be a difficult matchup for Houston. Texas has the big men to pound with Houston down low. The Longhorns also have the perimeter shooting to knock down shots and avoid the physicality the Cougars hope to bring.

Texas will have a big test with its 2nd-round matchup. Whether it takes on the hated Texas A&M Aggies or the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Longhorns will need to handle a team coming in on a hot streak to reach its ultimate goal.

Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Midwest Region contenders

These 3 teams are worth a futures bet to win the region.

Houston Cougars (+135)

If not for a loss to Memphis in the AAC Championship Game, Houston (31-3), not Alabama, would be the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. Sasser missed the title game with an injured groin, leading to a lopsided 75-65 decision.

With time to heal, Sasser should return healthy for the Cougars. If he does, this team has the talent and the elite defense to win the entire thing.

The Cougars are the +500 betting favorite to cut down the nets in their home town. But with the injury to Sasser being the looming factor, Texas is the pick and Houston is just a major contender.

Miami Hurricanes (+1200)

The Hurricanes, who rank top 25 in the nation with 79.6 points per game, will be one of the best offensive teams in the entire bracket. Along with Iowa, the Hurricanes will be able to put points up against any opponent.

A 2nd-round game against Trayce Jackson-Davis and Indiana could be a stumbling block. But if Miami can find a way past the Hoosiers, a Final Four bid could be in sight.

Iowa Hawkeyes (+1500)

Despite the seed, Iowa could have one of the easier draws Auburn has struggled heading into the tournament and have been unable to find any offense late in the season. Much of the offense it has found was due to mis-steps by opponents allowing them to remain close. Iowa will not allow this to happen and its offense, which is averaging 80.6 points on the season and will be able to move up and down the floor on the Tigers.

With Auburn struggling and Houston not being completely heathy, Iowa could find itself in a Sweet 16 game against Miami. This would be a fun, high-scoring game. But one which could go either way.

The Hawkeyes are dangerous in this region. Some of the top teams have warts. And this could be a region of havoc.

Midwest Region long shot

Penn State Nittany Lions (+4000)

Texas A&M is criminally underseeded. It is likely the most egregious thing the committee did this season. But Penn State has been on a roll in recent days.

Before losing a 67-65 decision to No. 1 seed Purdue in the Big Ten Conference final, Penn State rallied to make the tournament by defeating Northwestern twice, Maryland, Illinois and Indiana, all who are seeded higher in the tournament than the Nittany Lions.

Guard Jalen Pickett, a 1st-team all-Big Ten performer, has been everything for the Nittany Lions, averaging 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds and he’s 5th in the nation with 6.7 assists per game.

Penn State is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the nation. If the shots are falling, the Lions can beat anyone. If they are not, they will get blown out by anyone. This is a longshot for sure. But Penn State is dangerous.

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March Madness: NCAA Tournament South Region odds, picks and predictions

Looking at March Madness futures odds to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament South Region, with expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The NCAA Tournament is set, and the 2nd-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide from the SEC are the No. 1 overall seed in the South Region. It’s the 1st time in school history that Tide are the top overall seed.

Below, we look at Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament South Region futures odds and and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

The South Region has some heavy hitters, as Pac-12 Tournament champion Arizona is the 2-seed, joined by 3-seed Baylor from the Big 12. Creighton is the 4-seed from the Big East, with 2019 national champ Virginia from the ACC as the 5-seed. Charleston, NC State and San Diego State have also spent time in the Top 25, and they’re in this region as well.

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South Region futures odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 1:37 p.m. ET.

1 seed: Alabama +180 (bet $100 to win $180)

2 seed: Arizona +450 (bet $100 to win $450)

3 seed: Baylor +550 (bet $100 to win $550)

4 seed: Virginia +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)

5 seed: San Diego State +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300)

6 seed: Creighton +900 (bet $100 to win $900)

7 seed: Missouri +5000 (bet $100 to win $5,000)

8 seed: Maryland +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200)

9 seed: West Virginia +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

10 seed: Utah State +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)

11 seed: NC State +5000 (bet $100 to win $5,000)

12 seed: Charleston +7000 (bet $100 to win $7,000)

13 seed: Furman +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

14 seed: UC Santa Barbara +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

15 seed: Princeton +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

16 seed: SE Missouri State +20000 (bet $100 to win $20,000)

16 seed: Texas A&M-CC +20,000 (bet $100 to win $20,000)

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South Region expert pick and prediction

Baylor Bears (+550)

The Bears lost in their 1st game of the Big 12 Tournament against their kryptonite, Iowa State, and it likely dropped them a peg to the 3 line. That’s OK, as this team has been resilient all season, and truthfully, it received a little more much-needed rest.

Baylor has a resume littered with impressive wins after traversing the ultra-competitive Big 12, racking up 22 victories along the way. It has scored wins over a 1-seed, Kansas, while also taking down the likes of Arkansas, Gonzaga, Texas and UCLA. It swept conference member and tournament West Virginia in 2 regular-season meetings, too.

This Baylor team can score plenty, averaging 77.3 points per game (PPG) in the regular season, while hitting 36.8% from behind the arc. It is a solid free-throw shooting team, too, hitting 74.6% from the line, which is key in close games, especially in the NCAA Tournament. Defensively, the Bears could do better, but they’re adequate, especially along the perimeter. Defenses hit just 32.0% from downtown against Baylor.

Things are set up nicely for Baylor, as it should ease by the winner of Creighton-NC State, and it matches up well with Arizona in a potential Sweet Sixteen matchup. I like the team’s experience in a potential matchup with Alabama in the Regional Final, too. At this price, Baylor is the best value in the region.

Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

South Region contenders

These 2 teams are worth a futures bet to win the region.

ARIZONA WILDCATS (+450)

The Wildcats are flying high after bumping off rival Arizona State in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals, before dropping UCLA in an epic Pac-12 Championship game.

Arizona sports one of the best players in the nation in Azuolas Tubelis, as he averaged 19.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 2.0 APG during the regular season, while hitting 57.7% from the field. Oumar Ballo clogs up the paint, too, providing a giant obstacle for the opposition. But he can also score, posting 13.9 PPG, while cleaning the glass at an 8.6 RPG rate. He is very efficient from the field, too, cashing in at 64.5%.

This is a high-flying offense, going for 83.1 PPG, and a defense which limited teams to just 41.0% from the field. That’s a nice combination for success.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (+180)

There isn’t a ton of value in playing the chalk, as taking ‘Bama to win the South Region will only multiply your initial wager 1.8 times. I also don’t like the distraction of the off-court issues the Crimson Tide have faced, although to date, it hasn’t derailed this team from its goals. Expect plenty of questions, and more noise, however.

Still, the on-court talent cannot be argued. This team rolled to the SEC Tournament title, not only beating 3 NCAA Tournament teams in Mississippi State, Missouri and Texas A&M, but topping each by 11 or more points. Solid offense, and suffocating defense was the name of the game in hoisting the trophy. That was the case all season, as ‘Bama limited teams to just 37.7% from the field, and 28.4% from behind the arc.

This team can beat anybody, and it showed in Houston Dec. 10, but it also has double-digit losses to UConn, Gonzaga and non-tournament team Oklahoma. Arizona and Baylor are better values, but Alabama has the talent to not only win the region, but to have “One Shining Moment/”

South Region long shots

CHARLESTON COUGARS (+7000)

Charleston found itself ranked in the Top 25 earlier this season. Back-to-back regular-season hiccups against Drexel and Hofstra knocked Charleston back a bit, but it also served as a wake-up call. This team enters the NCAA Tournament with 10 straight wins, and a CAA tournament title in tow.

Charleston topped fellow tournament team Kent State earlier in the season, and it can score with the best of them at 81.7 PPG during the regular season, ranking 13th in the nation, according to Covers.com. Defensively, the Cougars did a good job holding teams to just 31.4% from behind the arc. The strength of schedule is a bit of a question, and what likely dropped a 31-win team to a double-digit seed. But a Sweet Sixteen run wouldn’t be shocking, and then you never know what can happen. For a chance to multiply your initial wager by 70, CoC is worth a look.

NC STATE WOLFPACK (+5000)

The Wolfpack are one of those teams which would make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, or could easily bow out in the 1st round. They’ve been hard to figure, but NC State certainly has the tools to be successful.

D.J. Burns Jr., Jarkel Joiner and Terquavion Smith are a solid 3-headed monster, with Casey Morsell capable of filling up the basket as well, especially from long range. Burns brings the swagger, and he is solid on the glass, which showing nice touch around the rim. Jack Clark is also a nice complementary piece.

The Wolfpack have enough talent to give Creighton, Baylor, and even Arizona, some trouble in the South Region. We’ve seen double-digit seeds go deep into the tourney in recent years, and NC State has a solid array of plays to make a lot of noise.

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March Madness: NCAA Tournament West Region odds, picks and predictions

Looking at March Madness futures odds to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament West Region, with expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The NCAA Tournament opens with play-in games Tuesday. The contest sending a team forth into the West Region bracket will be on Wednesday. Below, we look at Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament West Region futures odds and and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Arizona State and Nevada will tussle in the Wednesday game in Dayton. Then its on to Albany, Denver, Des Moines, and Sacrament to play 1st- and 2nd-round games Thursday-Sunday. From a betting standpoint, the West offers the strongest No 2, 3, and 4 seeds in UCLA, UConn, and Gonzaga, respectively. Consequently, some of the longer prices on middle and high seeds are in this region.

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West Region futures odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 12:14 p.m. ET.

1 seed: Kansas +300 (bet $100 to win $300)

2 seed: UCLA +320 (bet $100 to win $320)

3 seed: Gonzaga +450 (bet $100 to win $450)

4 seed: UConn +450 (bet $100 to win $450)

5 seed: Saint Mary’s +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)

6 seed: TCU +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)

7 seed: Northwestern +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)

8 seed: Arkansas +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

9 seed: Illinois +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)

10 seed: Boise State +6000 (bet $100 to win $6,000)

11 seed: Arizona State +6000 (bet $100 to win $6,000)

11 seed: Nevada +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

12 seed: VCU +6000 (bet $100 to win $6,000)

13 seed: Iona +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

14 seed: Grand Canyon +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

15 seed: UNC Asheville +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

16 seed: Howard +20000 (bet $100 to win $20,000)

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West Region expert pick and prediction

UConn Huskies (+450)

Connecticut was a solid contender in a strong-across-the-top Big East, and the Huskies enter these brackets with a 9-2 mark since Jan. 31. UConn is efficient at both ends of the floor and is a standout offensive rebounding squad.

The West is the best spot for a team of this caliber. Bart Torvik comps these Huskies alongside several Elite 8 teams and 1 Final Four entry. That’s good value for a No. 4 seed.

Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

West Region contenders

Saint Mary’s Gaels (+1000)

Gonzaga’s running mate in the West Coast Conference gets split from the Bulldogs in this West bracket. That’s good, because the Gaels’ last 2 losses have been against the Zags.

With a big-time defense (60.1 points per game), SMC beat Gonzaga earlier this season and played Houston shoulder-to-shoulder as part of a 26-7 campaign. Saint Mary’s style of play (slow) is mostly a zig to the much of this region’s zag, and that could play in the Gaels’ favor.

Arkansas Razorbacks (+2000)

With the way the West lays out, a couple of strong contenders are already at pretty long prices. But another hat to throw in the ring would have a Razorbacks logo on it.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman has taken the Razorbacks to the Elite 8 each of the last 2 years. They are the SEC version of Illinois and Northwestern (see below), insofar as recent setbacks are concerned. UA opens with Illinois, and that game figures to be a tremendous 1st-round matchup.

The Razorbacks’ defense and ability to frequently get to the free-throw line make them a live wire at this price.

West Region long shots

Northwestern Wildcats (+3000)

NU has lost 4 of its last 5 games but the Wildcats still went a respectable 12-8 in the meatgrinder Big Ten. Northwestern’s big-time defense (62.5 PPG) and ballhandling make it dangerous if it can get on a roll from beyond the arc.

Illinois Fighting Illini (+3000)

Another contender coming out of a broadly talented Big Ten. And another well under-.500 of late, which will scare off many onlookers.

But the Illini have non-conference wins over UCLA and Texas to their credit. When games are decided in the paint, Illinois has the offensive rebounding, defense and shot-blocking down low to be a real factor.

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March Madness: NCAA Tournament East Region odds, picks and predictions

Looking at March Madness futures odds to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament East Region, with expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The regions and seeding for the NCAA Tournament have been decided with Selection Sunday in the rearview mirror. The East Region includes quite a few notable teams that have a chance to make some noise in the tournament.

Below, we look at Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament East Region futures odds and and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Purdue (29-5) earned the top seed in the East Region, while Texas Southern (14-20) and Fairleigh Dickinson (19-15) will face each other Wednesday in the First Four to determine who will take on the Boilermakers in the round of 64. Even though they aren’t the top seeds, Duke (26-8), Kentucky (21-11), and Michigan State (19-12) were all selected for the East Region.

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East Region futures odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

1 seed: Purdue Boilermakers +300 (bet $100 to win $300)

2 seed: Marquette Golden Eagles +450 (bet $100 to win $450)

3 seed: Kansas State Wildcats +900 (bet $100 to win $900)

4 seed: Tennessee Volunteers +550 (bet $100 to win $550)

5 seed: Duke Blue Devils +750 (bet $100 to win $750)

6 seed: Kentucky Wildcats +900 (bet $100 to win $900)

7 seed: Michigan State Spartans +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300)

8 seed: Memphis Tigers +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200)

9 seed: Florida Atlantic Owls +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)

10 seed: USC Trojans +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

11 seed: Providence Friars +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

12 seed: Oral Roberts Golden Eagles +7000 (bet $100 to win $7,000)

13 seed: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

14 seed: Montana State Bobcats +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

15 seed: Vermont Catamounts +8000 (bet $100 to win $8,000)

16 seed: Texas Southern Tigers/Fairleigh Dickinson Knights +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

East Region expert pick and prediction

Marquette Golden Eagles (+450)

The Golden Eagles (28-6) are one of the hottest teams entering the tournament with 9 straight wins, including a 14-point victory over No. 14 Xavier to win the Big East tournament. Coach Shaka Smart has Marquette playing fantastic basketball at the perfect time and it wouldn’t need to face Purdue until the Elite Eight at the earliest.

Guard play is vital in the NCAA tournament and the Golden Eagles have two good ones in G Kam Jones, who leads the team with 15.0 points per game, and G Tyler Kolek, who averages 7.7 assists per game. With Marquette playing at a frantic pace on offense and slowing teams down on defense, it’ll be a tough out in this year’s tournament.

Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

East Region contenders

Purdue Boilermakers (+300)

I’d be remiss not to mention Purdue as a threat in the East Region as the No. 1 seed. The Boilermakers lean on C Zach Edey, who creates plenty of mismatches with his size.

Purdue is a well-rounded squad and it just secured the Big Ten title with a win over Penn State. As long as Edey is on the floor, the Boilermakers have a chance to win against any team in the country.

Duke Blue Devils (+750)

The Blue Devils seem to be finding their groove recently as they cruised to beat No. 15 Miami and No. 10 Virginia in the ACC tournament to secure the conference crown. Duke has won 9 consecutive games and has gotten remarkable production from C Kyle Filipowski recently.

Duke has been a formidable unit on the defensive end all season and it is great at rebounding. If the Blue Devils can make a decent number of their 3-point attempts, they can advance pretty far under new coach Jon Scheyer.

Memphis Tigers (+1200)

Could a double-digit win over No. 1 Houston to win the AAC Tournament give the Tigers (26-8) some life in the Big Dance? Memphis plays stifling defense and is great at turning turnovers into points on the offensive end.

G Kendric Davis averages 22.1 points and 5.6 assists per game, and he enters the tournament having scored 20 or more points in 6 straight contests. With the Tigers forcing teams to make mistakes, they could advance further than some expect.

East Region long shots

Providence Friars (+2000)

The committee certainly knew what they were doing when they pitted Kentucky against Providence (21-11) in the round of 64. Friars F Bryce Hopkins will square off against his former team, and he’s posted 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season.

Kentucky has seemingly figured some things out recently, but Providence is a lethal offense that can catch fire at any moment. If the Friars can get past the Wildcats, they’ll be a dangerous team for whoever they play next.

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (+7000)

Cue the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia meme where Mac says “I’m playing both sides so that I always come out on top”. I listed Duke as a contender above, but Oral Roberts (30-4) could give it a stiff test and be a tough out if it advances.

The Golden Eagles still have G Max Abmas leading the way after helping Oral Roberts advance to the Sweet Sixteen last year. All it takes is one win to get a team rolling and we’ve seen the Golden Eagles go on a special run before.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

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