A Safe Bet in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament?
In a tournament played through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, no matter in particular, it can be difficult. This only adds to the unpredictability of the first round of the tournament.
“There are certain trends among the 68 teams that the bookies can take advantage of,” he said. Sporting News found seven first-round matchups that are among the safe bets, if that is possible.
MORE MARCH MADNESS: Round 1 Odds | Parley Printable bracket
Safe March Madness Raises Against Spread
No. 8 North Carolina (-1.5) vs. No. 9 Wisconsin
Friday, 7:10 pm
Here’s a stat that matters: Roy Williams is 29–0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament. It’s a toss-up game, but the Tar Heels are 6-2 ATS when favored since February, and the Badgers are 2-3-1 ATS underdogs. The low spread makes this pick easy, but it is about to follow the first round trend.
pick up the: North Carolina Cover
No. 2 Houston (-20.5) vs. No. 15 Cleveland State
Friday, 7:15 pm
The Vikings are 7-3 ATS this season, and have scored at least 65 points in 12 straight games. The Cougars have won eight games by 20 or more points this season, but the line still feels a high touch in a game where the Vikings can rotate in the second half.
pick up the: Cleveland state
UPSET ALERT: The Best Sleeper Chooses for March Madness
No. 3 West Virginia (-12.5) vs. No. 14 Morehead State
Friday, 9:50 pm
Trust Bob Huggins in the first round? Well, the Mountaineers have made the Sweet 16 in three of the last four tournaments. Morehead State has been a super dog all season as an underdog with 12-3 ATS. Look at the three disadvantages. Ohio State, Kentucky and Belmont defeated the Eagles by an average of 22 points per game, and Morehead State covered Virginia in a 15-point loss. Watch the Mountaineers to make a statement in the first round after briefly appearing in the Big 12 tournament.
pick up the: West Virginia Cover
No. 3 Kansas (-10.5) vs. No. 14 Eastern Washington
Saturday, 1:15 pm
How can it be a safe pick? After the team was eliminated from the Big 12 tournament last Friday, the status of the Jehawks tournament remains poor. Nevertheless, in Kansas 6-4 ATS games where they favored double digits, this is the lowest spread among those double digits. Kansas has won its final four tournament openers by an average of 28.5 points per game and the closest difference is 16 points.
pick up the: Kansas cover
Brief Picture: DeCourcy (Gonzaga) | Alcoholic (Illinois) | Fagan (Gonzaga)
No. 5 Crayton (-7.5) vs. No. 12 UCSB
Saturday, 3:30 pm
The Gauchos are a trendy 5-12 offset pick, and with good reason. UCSB has lost just one game since January. 1. The Gauchos are 1–1 ATS as underdogs, but they have lost only five points or more this season. Even if they lose, it feels like a tight finish. Take value with a team that can win outright.
pick up the: UCSB
No. 2 Alabama (-17) vs. No. 15 Iona
Saturday, 4 pm
The Crimson Tide are 4-2 ATS this season, a double-digit favorite, and Alabama has won four of their last six wins. That said, Gayle has covered five of their last six matches and is 2-1 ATS this season. Iona won’t win the game, but we’re counting on Rick Pitino’s team to keep it interesting. The line ticks at a half-point, so there is a nominal value here.
pick up the: Iona
No. 3 Texas (-8.5) vs. No. 14 Abilene Christian
Saturday, 9:50 pm
Abilene Christian is another super-dog as a 3-1 ATS underdog and will be fired to prove it in a state matchup. Despite a .500-record against the spread, the Longhorns are on a five-game win streak – and they have covered in every game. The line opens at 10 points, so consider Texas here.
pick up the: Texas cover
Leave a Reply