Selection Sunday is just a handful of days away and favorites and underdogs alike are jockeying to improve their March Madness bids with strong performances in their respective conference tournaments this weekend. This week in our college basketball odds update, we check in with a few teams with the biggest storylines that could affect their March Madness seedings (or inclusion).
[sc:MarchMadness ]March Madness Odds Update
Flat-Footed Favorites: The Kansas Jayhawks
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]The Jayhawks received some bad news this past week, as 7-foot center Joel Embiid injured his foot and will miss at least the Big 12 tournament and likely at least the first two rounds of the Madness. Embiid has been massive for the Jayhawks, putting up 11.2 points and collecting 8.1 rebounds per game, while generally stealing the limelight from teammate Andrew Wiggins.
Still, oddsmakers aren’t phased. The Jayhawks were the second favorite to win the NCAA championship before Embiid’s injury, and the price hasn’t changed: Kansas is +600 to cut down the nets. Meanwhile, they are +190 to win the Big 12 tourney this weekend, though Oklahoma State (+350), Iowa State (+400), and Baylor are now all nipping at their Embiid-less heels.
Undefeated Wichita State Locks Up No.1
The Wichita State Shockers have completed their historic run and won the Missouri Valley Conference to move to 34-0 on the season. The win assures them, on a variety of levels, of a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday.
But how will the team fare against tougher competition in the Madness? Wichita beat Saint Louis and Tennessee in 2013-2014, and absolutely ran over its conference opponents, but they will face more seasoned teams in the later rounds of the Big Dance. Still, this may be the best moment to bet them: at +800, you get a team that has all the pieces to win and perhaps the most consistent team in the field.
Best Value: Creighton Bluejays
At a whopping +2500 to win the national title, the Creighton Bluejays have a lot going for them. They have blown out the best competition in their conference, Villanova, both times they’ve played this season. They have the nation’s best player in Doug McDermott, a player who will be looking to stamp his name on a high draft pick with a heroic Madness run. Last but not least, the Bluejays have the country’s most efficient offense and best three-point shooting. This team could go places.
2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament Odds to Win Round Up
| Rank | School | Odds to Win NCAA Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | +550 |
| 2 | Wichita State | +800 |
| 3 | Villanova | +1,500 |
| 4 | Arizona | +750 |
| 5 | Louisville | +1,800 |
| 6 | Virginia | +1,500 |
| 7 | Duke | +1,000 |
| 8 | Michigan | +2,000 |
| 9 | San Diego State | +4,000 |
| 10 | Kansas | +600 |
Feelin’ good about a NCAA championship pick? Bet it today before the lines move at Top Bet, America’s best online sportsbook.
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