College basketball betting has been a near daily occurrence since November but the two most exciting and potentially rewarding wagering days of the year, the opening rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, March 18 ands 19, still are ahead for every March Madness betting fan.
While those 32 opening round match-ups won't be revealed to college basketball betting enthusiasts until the Selection Committee unveils the 65-team field (there's a play-in game in Dayton, Mar. 16), on Sunday, March 14, gamblers can get an early full-court run for their money by investing in March Madness futures.
Most sportsbooks have future book lists that include far more than the 65 teams that eventually will have an opportunity to snip down the nets in Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, April 5 but while there's a moderate risk that your selection won't make the final cut, there's also the opportunity to secure a team at a much better price than you'll get a few weeks from now.
Also consider the sites for the four regionals: the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for the East; the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis for the Midwest; Reliant Stadium in Houston for the South; and Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City for the West. For example, should Syracuse secure the top seed in the East and make it to the Sweet 16, the Orangemen (10/1 in futures) would be playing at home. Other teams may have regional—if not home court—advantages at geographically friendly first and second round sites such as Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, et al.
As is the case with any wager, a Big Dance future book exists on its own as a valid betting tool. However, shrewd sports bettors also understand that having a handful of teams to win it all also allows them the option of making a money line hedge bet on the other team if one of their future book selections makes it all the way to the championship game. What's more, holding a few live future book ducats can provide flexibility for the bettor who wants to broaden his wagering net to include propositions such as betting on a regional winner.
Future book odds on highly regarded teams such as Kansas, Kentucky, Purdue, Syracuse, Duke, Kansas State, Villanova, West Virginia, Ohio State, New Mexico, Georgetown, Pittsburgh and Michigan State aren't likely to change much over the next few weeks since these teams already have assured themselves a spot in the Big Dance.
The wagering value will be in trying to find overlooked hardcourt quintets that have yet to play themselves into the tournament but, if they do, will be a much shorter price than they are now.
History tells us that outside seeds haven't much of a chance to win it all but teams in the middle of the pack cannot be discounted.
Middle of the pack teams such as Missouri in the power-packed Big 12 or Louisville in the deep and highly contentious Big East could be difficult outs. As of Feb. 22, the Tigers were 45/1 in futures while the Cardinals were 40/1.
Butler already has wrapped up the Horizon League title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament but the Bulldogs, at odds of 60/1, could have loftier aspirations than just a one-and-done post-season appearance. Butler owns a victory over OhioState and is a legitimate sleeper team.
Another team of interest is Cornell, the Ivy League champion and a massive 500/1 longshot. The Big Red lost by just five points at top ranked Kansas and has size and, of course, smarts, to take to the Big Dance.
Most college basketball betting fans would be hard-pressed to identify the nickname for Northern Iowa but the Panthers certainly have made an impact in their own state, beating big-time programs from Iowa and IowaState, as well as defeating Metro Atlantic regular season champion Siena. At odds of 150/1 (down from an opening price of 300/1) Northern Iowa, the Missouri Valley regular season champion, is another dark horse worthy of wagering consideration.
The Mountain West Conference often goes overlooked but both New Mexico and BYU have crept into the Top 20. The Lobos and the Cougars each are offered at odds of 50/1.
Other intriguing outsiders include Pac-10 leader California at 40/1; Big 12 troublemaker Baylor at 50/1; Atlantic 10 stalwart Temple at 60/1; and ACC competitor Virginia Tech at odds of 100/1.
A March Madness future book wager or two should span the college basketball betting bridge between now and March Madness.
