Even though this hasn’t been the most entertaining NCAA Tournament social media has had some fun. The masses have coined this year’s Big Dance as “Chalk Madness” and “March Midness.” Each 1, 2, 3, and 4-seed won their first round game and collectively they did it by the largest point differential in NCAAT history. What fans need to realize though is that because there weren’t many first round and second round upsets the Sweet 16 games will be much closer this year. Here are some March Madness Upsets to bet and root for.
Only six lower seeded teams beat the higher seeded games in the 32 first round matchups. My first round upset picks went 2-3. That is not too bad when I look back on it now. The other five years where each 1-4 seed won their games were 1994, 2000, 2004, 2007, and 2017.
In ’94 there were 5 Second Round upsets. ’00 saw 9 of the 16 lower seeds win their 2nd round matchup. There was 7 seed-line upsets in ’04. The Round of 32 in ’07 had 5 upsets. Lastly there were 4 Second Round upsets in ’17. This past weekend there were four 1-4 seeds that went down.
First tournament since 2017 where a 13 seed or worse didn’t advance
Smell the Chalk pic.twitter.com/zMwsxH3iKf
Sweet 16 March Madness Upsets To Bet In NCAA Tournament
(+5.5/+180 ML) BYU vs Alabama
The total of this game is set at a massive 175.5 points. BYU has won 11 of their last 12 games while scoring 80+ points in nine of their wins. Alabama operates at the fastest adjusted tempo in the country and the Cougars defense isn’t anything to brag about. But with the Crimson Tide taking the 49th most 3-pointers per field goal attempt we don’t need good defense by BYU to cash the bet.
In the month of March Nate Oats’ squad is shooting just 34.7% from deep (153rd nationally). This game could be viewed as a 50/50 coin flip at +180 if Alabama has bad shooting variance and BYU’s offense stays in their last month’s groove. Richie Saunders has hit another level during BYU’s recent hot streak where he is averaging 18.4 PPG, 5.1 REB, 2.1 APG, with over two 3-pointers made per contest.
(+4.5/+164 ML) Kentucky vs Tennessee
The Wildcats have already knocked off Tennessee twice this season yet Kentucky is once again the underdog to the Volunteers. That’s most likely because Kentucky’s rotation isn’t fully healthy. Jaxson Robinson is out for the year and Lamont Butler is playing with one healthy shoulder but despite the adversity UK breezed through the first weekend. Add in the presence that Big Blue Nation will have in Indianapolis and the Cats should be considered live on Friday night.
In the two games against the Vols this season Kentucky is 24/48 (50%) from beyond the perimeter. Obviously that probably won’t happen for a third time but if you put Mark Pope’s team’s shotmaking up against Rick Barnes’ squad’s shooting on a neutral court there’s no question you’d take UK’s shooting.
Shutting down Chaz Lanier needs to once again be in the game plan for Kentucky to win this game. Against the Wildcats this season Tennessee’s top scorer has just 26 points on 3/17 (17.6%) 3pt-shooting. Lanier is by far the Volunteers’ best shooter this season hitting 41% of his deep balls.
(+2.5/+136 ML) Ole Miss vs Michigan State
Ole Miss’ Chris Beard is one heck of a ball coach. This past weekend the Rebels were an underdog of 1.5 points against North Carolina and won by seven. Mississippi was also a 5-point dog to Iowa State in the second round where the Rebs won by 13. Plus Beard already has an upset win, 71-61 over Tom Izzo and Michigan State, back in the 2019 NCAA Tournament when he was a 2-point underdog with Texas Tech.
During the first weekend of the tournament Sean Pedulla had two of his best games this season. The Senior Virginia Tech transfer point guard has tallied 40 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds, and 6 steals so far in the NCAAT. Ole Miss has the pieces necessary to pull off one of the least desired March Madness upsets. Especially if Michigan State falls behind in the first half like did to Bryant and New Mexico so far this tournament.
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