Mad about March -2/6
Mad about March
Another week and more movement at the top of the standings. More movement means more opportunity for top seeding. So let’s take a look at our third week of college basketball top teams.
This week’s Top Four in the college basketball landscape:
#1. Purdue - Despite the loss to Indiana, the Boilermakers are still the #1 team in the country and their title odds lowered this week. Purdue benefits from a thin field of dominant teams this year.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +900
#2. Houston - The Cougars did what they had to do and trounced Temple on the road to gain revenge from their first matchup. Houston doesn’t have too many tough games left but will need to win the AAC tournament to guarantee a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +700
#3. Alabama - The Tide remains atop the standings in the SEC and bounced back from a bad loss to Oklahoma. Big games left against Tennessee and Auburn twice will decide their seeding.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1000
#4. Arizona - The Wildcats benefitted from key losses in the top five and will have a great shot at a top seed now that the ACC is on the outside looking in for a top seeded team.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1600
Best of the Rest:
#5. Texas - The Longhorns have weathered the storm of a coaching change and keep grinding out wins with a top-notch defense. If they can navigate their way through the talented Big 12, the Longhorns will be a top seed.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2500
#6. UCLA - It will likely come down to the Bruins' ability to take down Arizona. If they upend Arizona in the regular season and win the Pac 12 tournament; they’ll be in the top see the hunt.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +2200
#7. Tennessee - The Volunteers had a hiccup on the road at Florida but bounced back with a home win over Auburn. Tennessee still has a matchup with Alabama and the SEC Tournament to decide their seeding fate.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1100
#8. Kansas - In a crowded top of the Big 12, I still think Kansas has the pedigree to be the most dangerous in the tournament. They are likely out of the running for a top-seed with five losses already but…things can change.
Odds to win NCAA Title: +1300
Best Future Odds:
They already have an uncharacteristic five losses this season but don’t dismiss Gonzaga. They have a great interior offense and have a coach that is tournament-tested. At +2500, the Zags are an intriguing consideration.
In parenthesis, NCAA Tournament title odds. Odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle
