Sure, you could take the easy bet and pick Kansas to win it all in your March Madness bracket. They have shown the most even keel throughout the season, and they are a program that is accustomed to winning. However, there are some years when the long shots pay off — just ask Kevin Ollie and that Connecticut squad from a few years ago. Let’s take a look at some of the longer shots that just might pay off for you. Don’t forget to check out for more odds and lines for March Madness by clicking here.
Crazy Long Shot March Madness Bets Look to Pay Off Big Time
Utah
Yes, they lost Deion Wright to the NBA (and he went in the first round). However, they still have Jakob Poeltl on the inside, and he will be a top-10 pick this year in the draft. Larry Krystowiak has turned his team into a real machine when it comes to grinding the ball inside and avoiding the cheap foul. They wreaked some havoc in a Pac-12 that was apparently so great it deserved seven teams in the field of 68, so watch out for a long run from them.
Duke
The team that everyone loves to hate is back. Sure, they don’t play much defense or rebound all that well. However, Brandon Ingram could be the top pick in the NBA draft this summer, and if you only know Grayson Allen for tripping opposing players, you are missing out on a gritty player. When Duke is playing solid offense, it’s hard to beat them.
Seton Hall
No, P.J. Carlesimo isn’t still coaching this bunch. However, they are back in the national conversation, playing like one of the elite teams in the entire nation. Isaiah Whitehead is a little uneven but has a sky-high ceiling. Angel Delgado plays inside with intensity, but isn’t that what you want? This is a team that is built to play through adversity, and that’s what you need in the tournament.
Texas
That’s not Rick Barnes coaching those Longhorns — it’s Shaka Smart. This year they’ve already beaten Iowa State, Baylor, West Virginia, Oklahoma — and North Carolina. This is a team that could surprise people and make a deep, deep run.
Wichita State
The tournament selection committee should all be replaced next year after putting the Shockers in the First Four. They should be a 9-seed at worst, so it will be really fun to watch if a play-in team can make it to the Elite Eight, or even farther.
Notre Dame
Yes, they’ve beaten Duke, North Carolina and Louisville this year. There aren’t many other teams who can say that. The Fighting Irish have a way of getting up for big games — it’s just consistency that is the problem for this crew.
Wisconsin
This team looked like even the NIT might be a stretch early on, but Greg Gard has truly earned the full-time coaching position, as his mentoring of Ethan Happ, a true freshman, has keyed the Badgers’ run.
