Parity has been the name of the game in the 2023-24 college basketball season. It’s true that teams like UConn and Purdue have separated themselves from the rest of the field in terms of their record. It’s also true that teams like Houston have shaken off some adversity early in conference play and are showing dominant form. There are other teams, like Iowa State, who surprised observers in the early going and are continuing to win big. Let’s take a look at some teams that you might consider as you formulate a NCAAB betting strategy for March Madness – and that others may be overlooking.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: 2024 March Madness Teams Few Are Discussing | College Basketball Odds
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Right now, Wake Forest is Joe Lunardi’s Last Team Out in his Bracketology report, but that also means that the Demon Deacons need to turn things up down the stretch to get into the Big Dance. They are starting four transfers, including Efton Reid, the onetime Gonzaga and LSU center. His play helped the team post an eight-game winning streak that was what got them even on the bubble in the first place. Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes has found real value in the transfer portal. In prior seasons, Alondes Williams and Tyree Appleby came over to Wake Forest and provided real value in the backcourt. This year, it’s Kevin Miller (Central Michigan) and Hunter Sallis (Gonzaga) who have jump-started the team. They have combined to score more than 35 points and dish out more than six assists per game. Reid gives the team a legitimate shot at keeping up with bigger teams in the conference in rebounds as well as defending the rim.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Once Terrence Shannon Jr was indefinitely suspended following rape charges in Kansas, Illinois fell out of the Big Ten conversation. However, a flexible roster with multiple players who can play all five positions and high-level size at important positions has rendered them an elite defense. Without top-level scoring, though, they need more depth and distribution. They also need more consistency out of Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask, who has two games with at least 30 points — and five games with no more than seven.
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Villanova Wildcats
It is strange to read about Villanova going under the radar, but that’s where the Wildcats are these days. They got off to a solid start in Big East play, with a big win at Creighton serving as a real message. They dominated the opposition at the Battle 4 Atlantis but also had ugly losses to Penn and Drexel. Which team will show up down the stretch? We’ve seen both sides of this team in Big East play, and it’s the last three weeks of the regular season that will determine the seeding. But once the Wildcats are in, it’s hard to argue that you should wager against them.
Utah Utes
The Utes have an under-the-radar star in center Branden Carlson. He has a post scoring game but can also zip outside and drain three-balls. Along with Colorado transfer Lawson Lovering, Carlson can dominate the paint and defend the rim. The Utes have a mixed record in some of their Pac-12 showings, but a solid run to wind things up could make this an intriguing team to push two or three rounds into the tournament.
Auburn Tigers
The Tigers have faded a bit in SEC play, but they were in the KenPom Top 15 for most of non-conference play without appearing in the AP Top 25. They have a bad loss at Appalachian State, but they did clank 24 of their 27 three-point attempts in that game. Freshman point guard Aden Holloway has solid athleticism, and Johni Broome has stacked up double-doubles in the paint. Distribution has been solid, and this 19-5 (8-3 SEC) record is one that could make the Tigers a quiet executioner in the Big Dance.
2024 March Madness Schedule
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| Round | City | Venue | Dates | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Four | Dayton, Ohio | UD Arena | March 19 – 20 | University of Dayton |
| First/Second | Brooklyn. N.Y. | Barclays Center | March 22 -24 | Atlantic 10 Conference |
| First/Second | Charlotte, N.C. | Spectrum Center | March 21 – 23 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| First/Second | Indianapolis | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | March 22 – 24 | IUPUI / Horizon League |
| First/Second | Omaha, Neb. | CHI Health Center | March 21 – 23 | Creighton University |
| First/Second | Pittsburgh | PPG Paints Arena | March 21 -23 | Duquesne University |
| First/Second | Salt Lake City | Vivint Smart Home Arena | March 21 – 23 | University of Utah |
| First/Second | Spokane, Wash. | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | March 22 – 24 | University of Idaho |
| First/Second | Memphis, Tenn. | FedExForum | March 22 – 24 | University of Memphis |
| East Regional | Boston | TD Garden | March 28 – 30 | Boston College |
| South Regional | Dallas | American Airlines Center | March 29 -31 | Big 12 Conference |
| Midwest Regional | Detroit | Little Caesars Arena | March 29 – 31 | University of Detroit Mercy / Oakland University |
| West Regional | Los Angeles | Crypto.com Arena | March 28 – 30 | Pepperdine University |
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