NEWSLETTER
One of the biggest days of the sports year is here! The First Round of March Madness tips off just past noon as teams look to survive and advance. What teams are favored to win the title? Who are the sleepers in this year’s tournament? Take a look at betting odds, sleepers, and more for March Madness 2024.
Odds to Win March Madness National Title
It’s almost time for one of the best sporting events in the world as the NCAA Tournament begins today. What team do you think will win it all? Take a look at the odds and betting favorites to take home this year’s national title.
Odds to Reach the Final Four
There are several teams that looked primed to make deep runs in this year’s tournament but who will reach the Final Four? Take a look at the odds to reach the Final Four as top squads like UConn and Houston are among the betting favorites.
Sleeper Teams in March Madness
What under the radar the teams can make a huge run this March? Take a look at some potential sleeper teams for the 2024 NCAA Tournament that could make runs to the Elite 8 or Final Four.
James Madison (12 seed in South)
Sun Belt Tournament Champions James Madison can flat-out play. They are top-10 in scoring at over 84 points per game and they started this season with a 79-76 overtime win over Michigan State. The Dukes get a Big Ten opponent in Wisconsin in the First Round and should give the Badgers a run for their money. Also, James Madison has racked up an absurd 31 wins this season.
BYU (6 seed in East)
BYU finished as the 16th best team in the nation according to the KenPom rankings and the Cougars shot 34.8% from three. The Cougars are solid on the glass and hold teams to an effective field goal percentage of under 50%. Sure, they might face Illinois in the second round but the Big Ten has struggled in recent years in the first weekend in the tournament.
Duke (4 seed in South)
It feels odd to call Duke a sleeper team considering how prominent of a program it is but after losing their first game in the ACC Tournament, the Blue Devils sit at a number four seed in the Big Dance. Duke can light it up from three as they shoot almost 38% from three and shots from downtown can have a major impact in March. If they meet James Madison in the second round, the winner might do some damage in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8.
Read More: How Many National Titles Does Duke Have?
New Mexico (11 seed in West)
New Mexico can play defense and will be leaning heavily on that ability. The Lobos hold teams to just over 30% from three and give up less than 30% offensive rebounds. We have seen in recent years how lower seeds can make runs in this tournament. New Mexico is in a solid position to make a run with a lot of momentum after a Mountain West Tournament Championship.
Read More: Potential Upsets in Round 1
NCAA Tournament First Round Schedule
There is a full slate of games in the First Round set for today and tomorrow. Check out the full schedule. Michigan State and Mississippi State get the First Round started today at 12:15 pm ET.
Thursday, March 21
Read More: Venues for March Madness in 2024
Friday, March 22
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