How To Bet The Ncaa Tournament

• How To Bet The Ncaa Tournament 2020
• How To Bet The Ncaa Tournament Bracket
• Ncaa Tournament Dates
• How To Bet On Ncaa Championship
• Best Ncaa Bets Today
• How To Get In The Ncaa Tournament

The 2020-21 NCAA college basketball season tipped off on Nov. 25. That began a four-and-a-half month journey that will culminate with the 2021 Final Four. This year’s March Madness tournament will take place entirely in the state of Indiana due to COVID-19 precautions.

Last season, the NCAA Tournament was canceled. It had survived World War II, Black Monday, and half a dozen virus outbreaks; but for the first time since 1939, the NCAA was without a true champion.

When betting totals, you will need to determine if the total number of points scored in the game will go OVER or UNDER the oddsmaker’s set number. If the total is set at 149 for a matchup between Kentucky and Missouri and the final score is 73-69 for the Tigers, it means the combined score is 142. If you took the UNDER, you’d win your wager. 23 hours ago  Big East. Bubble teams: It looks like UConn has done enough to get in the NCAA Tournament, and they are now the betting favorite to win the Big East Tournament due to recent events surrounding Villanova and Creighton. That leaves the bubble teams as Xavier, Seton Hall and St. John’s.Seton Hall will.

The cancelation of March Madness was not only a major blow to TV viewership and ticket sales, but it erased the biggest sports betting event of the year. The American Gambling Association (AGA) reported that $8.5 billion was bet on the 2019 March Madness tournament. According to Legal Sports Report, sports gambling in the US jumped an average of 6.8% through the beginning of 2020 following a swath of passed legislation decriminalizing sports gambling. Based on those numbers, it can be projected that the cancelation of the NCAA Tournament lost nearly $9.1 billion in bets.

With the last NCAA tournament game having taken place nearly two years ago, anticipation is huge for this year’s March Madness tourney. Here is a look at the National Title odds with the start of the Big Dance just a week away.

March Madness futures odds

Operators will undoubtedly have a generous array of wagering options on each March Madness game, including moneyline bets, point-spread bets, over/under bets, parlay bets, prop bets, teasers and in-play bets.

Those wagering options will be made available soon. However, here are current futures odds for the top projected tournament participants in the 2020-21 season. Gonzaga was the top favorite entering the 2020-21 season at FanDuel Sportsbook with odds of +700. The Bulldogs remain the favorites with current odds of +250 to win it all at FD.

Here is a look at March Madness odds for 2021.

To view more NCAA national title odds, go to DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and/or BetMGM.

NCAA title odds: Futures report (March 8)

Baylor had been the co-favorite with Gonzaga at several books in the past few weeks but the Bears’ Feb. 27 loss at Kansas allowed Gonzaga to occupy the top spot at sportsbooks’ odds boards.

The Favorites

Gonzaga (+250): Gonzaga’s run over the past decade-plus has been remarkable. They haven’t lost double-digit games in a season since 2010-11 and are 24-0 this season thus far. They lead the nation in scoring (92.9 points per game; second place, Baylor) and scoring margin (+23.5 points per game). They’re also tops in field goal attempts per game and field goal percentage.

Baylor (+275): The Bears are making a difficult schedule look easy. They secured the regular season Big 12 championship after a year where the conference was at its best – fielding two top-10 teams and seven ranked teams. Baylor is second in points scored per game (85.3), first in 3-point percentage, and sixth in 3-point makes. They’re almost a lock for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Next Group

Michigan (+450): The Wolverines dropped a pair of big games down the stretch, pushing their final regular season record to 19-3. While those losses might raise a red flag to bettors, trends say that may not be a bad thing. Indiana is the last team to go completely undefeated and win the NCAA Tournament (back in the late 1970s) and just one team since 2000 has won the NCAA Tournament with less than three losses (2012 Kentucky). Michigan is still a team built to win in March.

Illinois (+900): The Illini have gone through the complete cycle – unknowns to favorites, back again, and back again. Kofi Cockburn is one of the most elite players in the country amid a resurgence of talented big men, leading the team with 9.9 rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu is a top-scorer in the nation, too, with 21 points scored per game. A dominant win over Michigan in the final few games turned heads and might provide the fuel Illinois needs to make a tournament run.

Alabama (+1300): The Tide are top-five in 3-point shooting this year, and the philosophy of throwing up as many 3s as possible seems to be working out. Three straight wins to close out the year secured them the SEC regular season title and the top seed in the conference tournament. Some might be worried about Alabama’s scoring defense, but their high-tempo offense naturally leads to opposing teams scoring more. They’re solid in most defensive metrics.

The Longshots

Ohio State (+1500): A loaded Big Ten saw an 18-8 Ohio State team land just fifth in the regular season race. A concerning mark was the Buckeyes’ three-game losing streak to close out the year that included to arch-rival Michigan, top-five Iowa, and a red-hot Michigan State team. While they have the talent to make a run at the Final Four, Ohio State could also be on first-round upset alert if they don’t find their groove in the Big Ten tournament.

Iowa (+1500): Contrary to Ohio State, Luka Garza and the Iowa Hawkeyes finished on a three-game winning streak highlighted by ranked wins over the Buckeyes and Wisconsin. They’re a dangerous team capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Iowa hit triple digits four times this season. They’ve cleaned up their scoring defense and are ready to make a March run. Which region and matchups they’re dealt, though, will make a real difference in Iowa’s chances.

March Madness betting sites

How the NCAA Tournament works

March Madness is a 68-team, single-elimination tournament that annually crowns college basketball’s NCAA Division 1 men’s national champion.

The event is aptly named, considering it features a frenetic 67 games over a 19-day period. The participating schools are announced on “Selection Sunday”, along with the exact seeding and brackets.

The annual college basketball rite of spring is sports betting’s most prolific multi-day event. Below you’ll find the current betting odds for the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament, along with key tournament details and betting strategy to help you during the month-long madness.

The first 32 teams to gain entry into the tournament do so automatically by winning their conferences. The remaining 36 slots are filled by “at-large” teams. A 10-member selection committee consisting of athletic directors and conference commissioners undergoes an arduous and multi-layered process to determine the 36 at-large teams and subsequently finalize seeding and brackets.

This year, the committee will employ the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) as its primary sorting method for determining at-large entrants. The NET replaces the RPI (Rating Percentage Index), which had been utilized since 1981.

The NET utilizes the following metrics:

• Game results
• Strength of schedule
• Game location
• Scoring margin
• Offensive and defensive efficiency
• Quality of wins and losses

The NCAA has a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of seeding and bracket protocol on this page within its website.

March Madness betting history

The first NCAA basketball tournament took place in 1939 in Evanston, Illinois. Since then, 36 teams have won it all and five teams have won the tournament at least five times (Indiana, Duke, UNC, Kentucky, UCLA). Since seeding began in 1979, number-one seeds have won the tournament 24 times and have accounted for almost 49% of all championship appearances. Just three times has a team seeded lower than four won the title, and no team seeded below eighth has won, nor made a championship appearance.

Since betting lines were released for NCAA tournament games in 1985, underdogs have covered 44% of the time, winning outright 29% of the time. Games have gone under the total in 56% of games. Since 2010, games have gone under the total in 70% of games and favorites have covered in seven out of ten games. Three teams have won more than one championship since 2010 (Duke, UConn, Villanova), but none have won back-to-back titles (despite Butler & UNC appearing in back-to-back title games).

Since 2000, the top overall seed has made the championship game just four times but won the game three of those times (75%). In total, top overall seeds in the tournament have comprised of just 8% of the total Final Four teams (missed 13 out of 20 years). Besides 1-seeds, 2-seeds have the most championship appearances since 2000 (7 times), followed by 3-seeds (6 times), and 5- and 8-seeds (2).

Just eight percent (52/640) of all Sweet 16 teams have been seeded 11 or lower, and only 2.8% of teams in the Elite Eight were seeded 11 or lower. Four 11 seeds advanced to the Final Four (Loyola Chicago, 2018; VCU, 2011; George Mason, 2006; LSU, 1986). UMBC is the only 16-seed to upset a 1-seed in the tournament’s history (2018), and just eight 15-seeds have prevailed (5%). In 2015, two 15-seeds upset 2-seeds (25% of all such upsets) and two 14-seeds upset 3-seeds.

Using historical data when filling out brackets and betting March Madness, err caution; stats should be used in the long-run but when choosing individual games, be sure to study matchup statistics. The most important thing to remember, though, is this is March Madness, and anything can (and will) happen.

Tournament betting strategies

The historical ATS data for each team in tournament play is just one of countless data points that can constitute March Madness betting research. Other factors that can hold considerable relevance include:

• A team’s late-season performances, including in their conference tournament
• Key injuries
• A team’s defensive proficiency, as this typically has more carryover into tournament play than a high-powered offense
• “Fading the public” when the line appears to be significantly affected by a team’s popularity, as opposed to actual recent performance
• Examining various tournament-specific historical trends, such as how high-seeded mid-majors have done in each round in terms of straight-up wins and losses.

Another overarching data set that could prove highly valuable is the performance of each seed in each round versus the spread. Courtesy of BoydsBets.com, below is an overview of historical first-round performance by seeds 1-16 against the number:

Where can you legally wager on March Madness this year?

Bettors physically located within the following states will be able to place a legal sports wager on March Madness games:

• New Hampshire
  

Then, there will be a flurry of sports betting legalization efforts unfolding at statehouses around the country during 2020 legislative sessions. Thus, hundreds of thousands of potential new bettors are expected to be part of the fun when the 2021 version of March Madness rolls around.

Based on recent progress and momentum, many states appear to have at least a fighting chance of implementing legalized sports betting in time for next year’s tournament.

The NCAA Tournament provides many gamblers with high hopes and dreams to capitalize on legal March Madness betting. It is estimated that $10 billion is bet on the NCAA Tournament each year as it has become one of the most popular sporting events. The tournament consists of 68 teams and 67 games – all played within 19 days. This ensures that no other sporting competition can show this excitement with so much suspense. College teams are invited to join from all around the country and this gives fans even more angst and desire to explore betting options during March Madness.

Filling out a perfect bracket is everyone’s goal as there used to even be a $1 billion payout from Warren Buffet. Buffet knew this was nearly impossible, a one in 9 quintillion chance, and has closed the competition; however, the ability to bet on the tournament has only increased. Single-game wagering options, as well as office pools and bracket challenges, are available to those who know the game inside and out or are just casual fans. Many millions of Americans participate in some form of March Madness betting every year; however, most are not aware of all of their betting options.

Is it Legal To Bet On The NCAA Tournament?

Yes, there are legal options for betting on the NCAA Tournament. Whether you choose to wager in one of the states where there are legal sports betting options or decide to use an offshore sportsbook, there are a variety of betting options available. The Supreme Court decided states had the ability to determine their own sports betting laws after they appealed the former federal law known as PASPA. This opened up many avenues for betting on March Madness in states as well as online operators– just be sure to stick with a licensed operator who is located offshore.

What States Offer Legal Sports Betting For March Madness?

Some states are available to hold action on the NCAA tournament where you can bet in a land-based sportsbook. These states include New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Mississippi, and West Virginia. However, be advised that each state is different and have different regulations about what you can wager on. For example, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Delaware do not allow for betting lines to be offered on collegiate teams that are from their states. This can become a problem during tournament time but consider choosing an offshore sportsbook, as there are no restrictions on these sites from offering college basketball betting lines.

Are March Madness Brackets Legal?

March Madness Brackets are considered social gambling and are accepted in many states. Some states do not allow for social gambling as long as a certain price threshold isn’t met. However, it is unheard of to have a law official bust down your door because you were running an office pool or bracket challenge. Many online websites offer paid and unpaid bracket pools that give prizes so it is easy to say enforcement on brackets is nearly inexistent.

How Do I Make A Deposit Before March Madness Begins?

Making a deposit is simple with offshore sportsbooks. The easiest method is generally to use your credit card; however, federal laws are in place that prevent US banks from processing your payment. If your transaction gets declined, do not worry, just call the cashier of the sportsbook and they will remedy the situation. They will cancel that transaction and explain you can also deposit using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Western Union money transfers, Visa pre-paid Gift Cards, MoneyOrders, Cashier’s Checks, or wire transfers. Funds are generally added to your account within minutes of the site receiving your payment but be sure to look for promotions before you make your first deposit.

Each sportsbook varies in the prizes, tournaments, and promotions that are offered. Some are ready to automatically give you an initial deposit bonus while others will enter you into reward programs where you can have every deposit matched. Be sure to read all of the terms and conditions of the promotions as most put an expiration date on when the free play must be used. But you will not find better offers than by utilizing offshore sportsbooks that are licensed by their home country.

Is Withdrawing Money On Sportsbooks Safe?

The licensed operators that are located offshore are the safe accounts and will not give you any trouble when you want to withdrawal your money. These sites offer many different ways to return your winnings from MoneyOrders, bank wires, and Cashier’s Checks to many forms of cryptocurrency. The timeframe for receiving your sportsbooks winnings are anywhere from a few hours to a few days- it all depends on which method you use. Each site has a page that explains the fees (if any), timeframes, and minimums for depositing and withdrawing.

There are many different choices you have when it comes to betting on NCAA Tournament. The single-elimination tournament is popular amongst many bettors as there is always a Cinderella story to root for or a number 1 team who can’t be stopped. These situations cause for great betting scenarios and you can determine how you can’t to gamble on the tournament. The five main wagering options are betting on the spread, the over/under, the moneyline, compiling a parlay, or taking a futures bet.

Point Spread Wagering

Spreads are the most common wagering option that gamblers find. This style will have a team name with a number next to it. That number will have a plus (+) or minus (-) sign in front of it. The positive indicates the team is the underdog while the negative shows the favorite. Take this example:

This indicates that Kentucky is 4.5-point favorites in the game. In order for them to cover the spread, they must win by 5 or more. On the opposite side, Villanova can cover the spread by losing by less than 4 points or winning the game. Some betting lines are whole numbers and if a team wins by that number a “push” occurs and all money is returned to the gambler.

Straight-Up Betting

Betting on the spread can be a challenge as last-second points are inevitable in basketball games due to free throws. Instead, you have the option for betting on NCAA Tournament to wager on which team will win, straight up. The odds are tougher for more favored teams but the payouts are much nicer for the underdogs. A typical moneyline wager will look something like this:

The numbers next to the team name is called the moneyline. The positive number indicates an underdog while the negative is considered the favorite. Payouts happen like this: Bet $100 on Kansas (+145) and receive back $245 ($100 bet + $145 profit), Bet 175 on Duke (-175) and receive back 275 ($175 bet + $100 profit). Keep in mind this number is just a ratio for $100 but you can choose to bet as little or as much as you prefer.

Betting On The Over/Under

Teams have styles of play that determine how quick or slow they play and how it impacts the overall score of the game. You can bet on the total points scored in an NCAA Tournament game, also known as the over/under. Given the ability to choose between both teams’ points or one team’s points, you will be able to find a number you think will hit or be too high. There are many stats available on the web that explain each teams pace of play and points scored and allowed per game. Do your research and you should find betting on the over/under for March Madness is no challenge.

How Do Parlays Work?

Parlay betting is a style that requires you to select a group of betting lines, usually two (sometimes 3) or more. Instead of betting on them individually, you compile them into a list where every single choice must be correct for you to win the bet. While this seems like a challenge… it is; however, each game or betting line you add to the list make the odds only further increase. If you bet on four NCAA tournament games separately for $100, you could make $400 or you could consider parlaying those 4 games and make over $1200. Each parlay payout is different as picking many favorites won’t increase your odds drastically but picking a few underdogs can see your odds move heavily in your favor.

How To Bet The Ncaa Tournament 2020

March Madness Futures Betting

Futures betting on the NCAA Tournament allows you to watch your bets increase their value over time. This style of wagering has you make you a bet on a result of an event well in advance. You can choose to bet on the next NCAA Tournament immediately after the conclusion of this upcoming March Madness. Odds are generally stacked in your favor as picking a future bet like who will win the tournament before you see the seeding and/or their conference schedule can be tough. The University of Connecticut is a prime example of bettors finding the right futures line. In 2013-14, they were given +10000 odds in the month of February! A payday of 100x their initial bet was well rewarded. The top ten odds to win the 2019 Men’s NCAA Tournament are:

How To Bet The Ncaa Tournament Bracket

Prop Bets For March Madness

Prop bets for the NCAA Tournament come in all varieties. You can choose wagers over a long period such as how many number 1 seeds will make the Final Four. On the other hand, you can choose individual prop bets that occur only over a game like how many three-pointers will both teams have. These make the tournament games more interesting because you are focused on the individual team or players’ actions that can influence how your bet turns out. Offshore sportsbooks provide more prop bets than you could imagine and are popular amongst big fans of college sports as well as casual viewers.

Legal March Madness Betting FAQs

How Can I Do Mobile Betting On The NCAA Tournament

Mobile betting makes betting on March Madness even easier. All of our recommended sportsbooks have mobile versions that will allow you to check your account and play the odds from anywhere. There are state-run sportsbooks offered but betting lines are generally worse off. Even more, most of the state regulations require that bettors be physically present at the sportsbook or within state lines at the least.

Can I Wager Once A Game Has Started?

Yes, all of the mobile apps or web pages offer what is called live in-play betting. This allows you to wager at any point during the game but be sure to get your bets in quickly. The betting lines and odds change with every second of the clock and if you notice the right line at the right time then the payouts can be much more rewarding. The types of wagers range from spreads, alternative lines, winning margins, and so many more.

Ncaa Tournament Dates

How Do I Sign Up For An Online Sportsbook?

Signing up for legal sports betting sites is easy and even better, they are free to join. Find a licensed one who has been in business for a while with positive reviews and is located offshore. Signing up takes nothing more than a bit of information about yourself and an initial deposit. There are always bonuses with your first deposit so check into their promotions too. When you want to receive your money, you will have to prove your identity before you can withdrawal which takes nothing more than uploading a photo ID and showing a bill or bank statement with your name and address on it.

• BEST LEGAL SPORTSBOOKS
• USA?
• SPORTSBOOK BONUS OFFERS
• MOBILE?
• GET STARTED

• 50% Bonus Up To $1,000 On Each Deposit

• 50% Bonus Up To $1,000

How To Bet On Ncaa Championship

Best Ncaa Bets Today

• 100% Bonus Up To $500

How To Get In The Ncaa Tournament

• Get 50% to $520