This could be the ultimate year of the long-shot to win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. With the way this season has unfolded, it would be easy to make an argument that no No. 1 seeds will see the Final Four, making this season the best opportunity to find solid value in championship futures.
Oklahoma and North Carolina lead the pack at +700 and +750 respectively to win the NCAA title, outpacing the field by a wide margin. Despite the top billing, both teams have shown weaknesses at times this season.
Most Bracketologies list the Tar Heels as a No. 2 seed, while the Sooners are still getting the benefit of the doubt as a No. 1 seed. Oklahoma has three losses on the season, all coming on the road, including a recent loss to Kansas State.
The Tar Heels, meanwhile, have four losses and fell in back-to-back games last week. North Carolina is possibly the most talented team in the country, which is likely the reason why they own the second-best odds in the country.
After the top two teams, it’s a logjam. Kansas is at +1000, but with the way it performs in the postseason, there’s no bettor in their right mind that would consider that a good value pick.
From there, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State and Villanova are at +1200, while Duke and Kentucky are at +1400.
We’d consider Michigan State a solid pick, despite some struggles throughout the season. The +1200 isn’t bad value for the past successes of Tom Izzo.
Teams we like that oddsmakers have a bit less confidence in would be Wichita State at +2000, and Iowa State and Arizona at +3300.
The Shockers have experience, with Fred Van Vleet and Ron Baker, while the Cyclones and Wildcats have talent. The only problem, which is a fairly major issue, with Iowa State and Arizona, is their inability to finish games.
The longest shot to bet currently for the tournament is Syracuse and Daylton at +6600. With no clear-cut No. 1 team in college basketball, the long-shots may be the best bets.
