Shoot The Rock – Betting College Basketball Tournaments and Free Picks

College Hoops Madness: Betting Tournaments & Free Picks

College basketball conference tournaments have commenced. This week really ramps up the excitement of Match Madness before the NCAA Tournament.

Fellow handicapper Sean Higgs and I of GamblersWORLD.net share our thoughts on who could win some of the biggest tourneys on the board. Let’s dive into the madness and see what we have.

Big Ten

Michigan State (+250)

Maryland (+350)

Michigan (12-1)

UCLA (+650)

Wisconsin (+650)

Purdue (+650)

Illinois (+750)

Oregon (28-1)

Doug Upstone – I agree with Sean about Purdue in the context of having a favorable path to the semifinals which gives them a shot. Michigan State has done nothing to think they cannot win this and they would be my pick. Nonetheless, I have a dark horse in Oregon and I’ll say the presumed winner of the Ducks/Spartans cuts down the nets.

Sean Higgs – I like Purdue to come out of the Big Ten. I thought about Maryland, but the Boilermakers at +650 are a better value.

American

Memphis (-105)

North Texas (+190)

UAB (+750)

Tulane (17-1)

Florida Atlantic (14-1)

Doug – My guess is Memphis is playing for a higher seed, has more to lose than to gain, and will be focused. Nevertheless, the odds speak for themselves and I’ll say North Texas with their deliberate style frustrates UAB and quite possibly Memphis as a shocking winner in at least public circles.

Sean – Give me UAB in the American Conference. Memphis dominated the league, but at 7/1 odds, I am betting on the Tigers getting tripped up and the Blazers knock off North Texas.

SEC

Auburn (+150)

Florida (+270)

Alabama (+425)

Tennessee (+600)

Texas A&M (25-1)

Kentucky (19-1)

Missouri (25-1)

Doug – Auburn is undeniably very good. But if there is any team in the country that I think has the offense, defense, and versatility, it is Florida and I’ll pick them to win the best conference in college buckets this year.

Sean – The SEC is so top-heavy. I have a Florida Natty future, so I will take them here at 3/1 odds.

Atlantic 10

VCU (-120)

George Mason (+450)

Dayton (+500)

Saint Joseph’s (+800)

Loyola-Chicago (+1400)

Doug Upstone – If VCU had plus odds, I would strongly back them because I like winning bets and think the Rams are the best team in the A-10 by a good margin. I’ve made a good chunk of money backing George Mason this season, thus, I’ll take a shot with the Patriots.

Sean – VCU is the fave. They have the same conference record as George Mason at 15-3. VCU stomped them by 16 last month. At almost 5/1, count me in on the Patriots.

ACC

Duke (-320)

Louisville (+550)

Clemson (+700)

Wake Forest (75-1)

Doug – Duke is a massive favorite and starts the week at least as a top seed if not the overall #1 seed of the NCAA Tournament. Though you almost certainly can win a bet backing the Blue Devils, there is zero value. Clemson is underrated nationally and a small bet here with a puncher’s chance to win the ACC.

Sean – Duke is all the rage. But give me Clemson at 7/1, I think this is a possible Final 4 sleeper.

Big 12

Houston (-120)

Texas Tech (+425)

Arizona (+850)

BYU (11-1)

Iowa State (+700)

Kansas (13-1)

Doug – A loaded Big 12 could well see one or two of these teams upset in the quarterfinals. I’ll step out and say BYU, who is playing at least the second-best basketball in the conference. They have great shooters all over the court but are tougher and more physical inside.

Sean – Houston ran all over the crews in the Big 12. But I will grab Texas Tech at +425.

Big East

St. John’s (+155)

Creighton (+370)

Connecticut (+400)

Xavier (+850)

Marquette (+550)

Doug – The payout isn’t much but St. John’s relentless defense and rebounding can win a lot of games on just those merits. After two years of MSG being a Connecticut south home court advantage, the Red Storm team and fans take the Big Apple by storm.

Sean – I am a St. John’s fan. Not worth it at their price. I will go with UCONN at +400. Been there before. Tough to count out.

Mountain West

New Mexico (+250)

Colorado State (+350)

Utah State (+330)

San Diego State (+700)

Boise State (+425)

Doug – Utah State should have two revenge spots if they make the semis against Colorado State and New Mexico. The Aggies earn it just like they did in 2019-20.

Sean – The Mountain West is a wide-open tourney. I will go with my soft spot for Colorado State at +350. I had the Rams the last two years. That makes the third time a charm!

Get more College Basketball betting advice from Doug Upstone here and purchase Doug’s Premium picks here.