NCAA basketball is in full swing but, arguably, the two best wagering days of the year, the NCAA bracket opening rounds of the Men's Basketball Championship, March 20 ands 21, are in the sights of every March Madness betting fan.
While those 32 NCAA bracket opening round match-ups won't be revealed to college basketball betting devotees until the Selection Committee unveils the 65-team field (there's a play-in game in Dayton, Mar. 18) on Mar. 16, gamblers can get an early rush for their money by investing in March Madness futures.
Many sportsbooks have lists that include far more than the 65 teams that eventually will have an opportunity to snip down the nets in the Alamodome, in San Antonio, April 7 but while there's a moderate risk that your NCAA bracket selection won't make the final cut, there's also the chance to secure a team at a much better price than you'll get when the tournament starts.
A March Madness future book exists on its own as a valid sports betting tool but savvy gamblers also understand that having a handful of teams to win it all also allows them the option of making a money line 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 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.
Prices on highly regarded teams such as North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Michigan State, Tennessee, Kansas, Duke, Georgetown and Louisville aren't likely to change much since these teams already have assured themselves a spot in the Big Dance.
The value will be in trying to find so-called "bubble teams," those outfits 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.
Teams such as BYU, Connecticut, Maryland, Clemson, Marquette, Kent State, Oklahoma, Mississippi State and Arkansas could be in that category.
Future book betting odds vary greatly from sportsbook to sportsbook but at least one wagering watering hole listed BYU at 125/1. The Cougars are the best in the Mountain West Conference and boast a victory over Louisville.
UConn has been a pleasant surprise in the ultra-competitive Big East and 35/1 looks attractive.
Maryland and Clemson don't get the ink that ACC stalwarts Duke and North Carolina do but both the Terrapins and the Tigers, each at 60/1, are inviting longshots. Maryland owns a win over North Carolina while Clemson has beaten top 25 teams Mississippi State and Purdue.
Some believe that Marquette is worth a wager at odds of 40/1. The Golden Eagles have taken down Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Wisconsin and don't have a "bad loss" on their resume.
Kent State is the class of the Mid-America's Eastern Division and at 300/1 would be a giant score.
Oklahoma sometimes gets lost in the Big 12 shuffle but wins over Gonzaga, Arkansas, Baylor and West Virginia attest to the Sooners' ability. A future book price of 60/1 is tempting.
SEC rivals Mississippi State and Arkansas also rate a look. The Bulldogs, 50/1, have split two games with Arkansas and shown that they can win on the road, a factor sure to impress the Selection Committee. The Razorbacks, also 50/1, have defeated four quality teams, Baylor, Mississippi State, Oral Roberts and Mississippi.
Other intriguing longshots include Rhode Island, 250/1; West Virginia, 50/1; Baylor, 200/1; Ohio State, 60/1; and Arizona State, 150/1.
We'll get to the NCAA bracket soon enough. Until we do, a March Madness future book wager or two should scratch your college basketball betting itch.
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This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com.
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