The field of 65 is set and many bettors are looking for the home run payout of picking the March Madness winner.
Click here for title odds at Sportsbook.com and then visit our Perfect Bracket Contest for the chance at $12 Million and lifetime security.
The Betting Numbers
When it comes to (1) against (16) matchups in the NCAA Tournament, we are always going to see big numbers and that is the case here. Connecticut, the top seed in the West Region opened as a three touchdown favorite over the SoCon Tournament Champion Moccasins and the line is holding steady and staying above 20 in all places.
The Betting Numbers
If this matchup looks familiar, then you have a good memory as the Aggies and Cougars squared off in the first round of last season’s NCAA Tournament. Last season, the seedings were identical as BYU was the eighth seed and Texas A&M was the ninth seed but it was the Aggies that were a slight favorite as they closed at -1.
The second best conference all this season in the college basketball has been the ACC. With three teams reaching #1 ranking during the year many think this conference will bring the NCAA Championship team back to the ACC. With seven teams receiving bids to enter the NCAA tournament they tie for the most teams in the tournament with both Big East and Big Ten.
The Sportsbook.com staff has scoured the list of first round games and chosen some upset picks.
Each of these squads has the ability to win the game outright, meaning the spread pick is even more enticing.
Visit Sportsbook.com for the odds of all 32 games for the opening round, and make sure to take advantage of 10% Reload Bonuses through Friday, and Reduced Juice for all wagers placed on Friday.
March Madness begins a little after Thursday noon ET with Butler facing LSU, and Sportsbook.com has all the latest odds.
2009 NCAA Tournament Round 1 Action
Friday March 20, 3:00 PM ET
Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena – West Region
The Cornell Big Red are 3-4 ATS in the last 7 games. They are 1-2 on the season when underdogs of 10 or more. The under has hit in the last 5 games.
Game on…sort of
Our appetizer arrived last night, with the Morehead State Eagles, who were listed as 3-point faves, crushing the dreams of the Alabama State Hornets in this year’s play-in game. The Eagles win and cover gets them a spot in the Big Dance and a date with….the top-seed Louisville Cardinals.
2009 NCAA Tournament Round 1 Action
Friday March 20, 12:25 PM ET
Dayton, OH UD Arena – East Region
The Vols are 4-2 ATS is the last 6 games. They are 4-2 ATS on neutral courts this year. The Under has hit in 8 of the last 11 games. Tennessee has a balanced scoring attack and have the deeper team.
(Based On our Picks From Our Round 1 Picks Article >>>)
Now that the first round has been primed, previewed and predicted, let’s take a look at the matchups and results for the second round of March Madness betting based on our first-round picks.
When it comes to evaluating March Madness odds and filling out your bracket, the first two rounds are easily the most important ones. If you can survive the first weekend, you’re in good shape the rest of the way. Fail in the first two rounds and you might as well tear your bracket up.
This is your one-stop shop for the first two rounds of March Madness betting.
Seattle Mariners 2008 Record: 61-101, 39 GB in AL West
By far the most disappointing team in baseball last year, the Mariners and new manager Don Wakamatsu look to return some semblance of respectability to the Pacific Northwest. On paper this was a club filled with promise as it broke camp last March, carrying a pitching staff that had the potential to keep the M’s in the playoff chase all season.
March Madness is such an exciting time of year. Everybody is out looking for this year’s Cinderella team and filling in their office pool brackets. Sports Handicapper Craig Trapp is going to give his conference break down on odds to win the NCAA Championship this year. Craig goes out filling his bracket a little different than most.
2009 NCAA Tournament Round 1 Action
Thursday March 19, 2:55 PM ET
Kansas City, MO Sprint Center – West Region
The Terrapins are 3-0 ATS is the last 3 games and 9-4 ATS in their last 13. They are 5-2 ATS on neutral courts in 08-09. The under is 6-1 in the last 7 overall. The under is also 6-2 in last 8 non-conference games and 7-1 in last 8 neutral court games.
2009 NCAA Tournament Round 1 Action
Thursday March 19, 12:25 PM ET
Kansas City, MO Sprint Center – West Region
The Matadors are champions of the Big West conference. They are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games. They have a balanced scoring attack with 7 players averaging over 8 point per contest. Their defense gives up 70.2 points a game.
As I watched the brackets unfold on Selection Sunday, there were few surprises as the number 1, 2, and, 3 seeds went pretty much to the teams I expected. Some could argue that Memphis should have been a number one seed instead of Connecticut, but to me it is a mute point as the pairings placed them on a collision course in the West final either way.
