Sixteen teams remain in the chase for the 2021-22 NCAA men’s college basketball championship. Three of the 1-seeds remain, as Baylor fell in overtime to North Carolina. Two 2-seeds are left (Villanova and Duke). However, we also have an 8-seed (North Carolina), a 10-seed (Miami) and two 11-seeds (Michigan and Iowa State). There’s even a 15-seed (Saint Peter’s, just the third 15-seed ever to get to the second weekend of the tournament). Let’s look at the March Madness betting odds for the 16 teams – as well as our thoughts on some of their prospects.
NCAA News: Updated March Madness Odds
| Team | Odds |
| Gonzaga | +225 |
| Arizona, Kansas | +500 |
| Houston | +800 |
| Purdue | +900 |
| Texas Tech | +1200 |
| Duke, Villanova, UCLA | +1400 |
| North Carolina | +2500 |
| Arkansas | +4000 |
| Michigan | +6000 |
| Providence | +6600 |
| Miami (FL) | +7500 |
| Iowa State | +10000 |
| Saint Peter’s | +15000 |
Gonzaga made it past the Memphis Tigers – just barely. Drew Timme put up at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in each of the Bulldogs’ first two wins in the tournament, and the offensive talent is elite. You do have to wonder whether the four-point win over Memphis portends for trouble against teams that have a more complete season than Memphis did, so there’s not enough value for me to put a lot down on the Bulldogs at this point.
Arizona also got a bit of a punch in the mouth in the second round, as they got pushed to overtime by a TCU team that benefited from its membership in the Big 12 just to get into the tournament in the first place. Kerr Kris is still hobbled a bit by his ankle injury, but Christian Koloko and Bennedict Mathurin are finishing at the rim and draining three-balls, so Kris’ recovery may just be icing on the cake.
Villanova is an interesting value pick, given the reputation that Jay Wright’s teams have had for ramping up their play once tournament time begins. Veteran Collin Gillespie is leading that charge, with his clutch shooting, playmaking and defense. The Wildcats’ perimeter defense has returned to elite levels, which is important in March, and this teams makes free throws.
Kansas has gotten hot play from Remy Martin at just the right time, and Big 12 Player of the Year Ochai Agbaji is also producing. Even though the Jayhawks aren’t playing at their usual elite level, they still won the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships.
Duke has elite talent led by Paolo Ranchero, who should go in one of the first five picks in the upcoming NBA draft. Mark Williams continues to dominate the lane, swatting shots left and right, and Wendell Moore Jr has driven the bus nicely for the offense. This is a team that looks inexperienced at the wrong times, but they also have a high enough ceiling to push all the way to a title.
Purdue looks to get back to the Final Four for the first time since the Gene Keady era – back in 1980. This version of the Boilermakers has a run-and-gun offense led by Jaden Ivey. The problems that Purdue faces come on defense, and if the Boilermakers are going tok eep advancing, they will have to figure out how to get key stops.
UCLA went from the First Four to the Final Four a year ago, and they came in as a four-seed this year and could make another deep run. Tyger Campbell is the sort of elite point guard that top teams need, and Cody Riley and Jules Bernard have continued to contribute on both ends of the court. Jaime Jaquez Jr sprained his ankle, and the hope is that he will be able to play, but this gritty roster could move on even with him limited.
Texas Tech has the top defense in the nation according to KenPom, and they used it to hold Notre Dame to 53 points in the second round. They also make their free throws, which is more important than you might think. This is another value pick that could be worth a wager.
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