March Madness Pre-Tournament Betting Picks & Predictions 2023

It’s finally March, and that means we are close to one of the best annual sporting events — March Madness. Like every year, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is wide open, and the unpredictability of it all is what makes it so captivating. Due to the randomness, there is a lot of value on the board, and while there are only 8–10 teams who could realistically win it all, it’s hard to find that one team. Regardless, this article will cover our March Madness betting future picks and tips.

One of the preeminent college basketball minds is Ken Pomeroy, and in turn, his algorithm. In 24 of the past 25 years, the March Madness winner has had a top-20 KenPom offensive rating and a top-20 defensive rating. While teams’ ratings tend to rise throughout their tournament runs, we can use his website to identify colleges that betting sites may undervalue. A lot of these picks will reference those numbers.

Here are our top March Madness betting tips:

Houston Cougars +650

Houston is the outright favourite to win the NCAA basketball tournament, and it makes sense. They have a top-five offence and defence according to their Ken Pomeroy rating, and they have been one of the best teams all year. Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson always puts together a defensive-focused team, but this year, they have some scorers who give them the edge. Both Marcus Sasser and Jarace Walker are prolific offensive talents, which, paired with the Cougars’ defensive acumen, gives this team everything they need to go on a deep run. They have made it to the Elite Eight in each of the past two seasons, and this feels like the team that can break through. Houston is the favorite, but at +650, they still hold a lot of value.

UCLA Bruins (+900)

UCLA is another team poised to make a deep run. They have the second-best defensive rating in the nation and boast a capable offence that is rated at 22. Their coach, Mick Cronin, is a leader who’s had a lot of success in the tournament, taking this UCLA team to the Final Four two years ago. And a lot of those players are still Bruins. Jaime Jacquez and Tyger Campbell are two key players who were on that team, and they have only gotten better. These upperclassmen should be able to steady this team throughout the tournament, while their stable of freshmen prospects gives this squad the edge. Simply put, this is a disciplined team that is destined to go on a deep run, and at +900, they are one of the best-valued top teams.

Connecticut Huskies (+1 800)

UConn is back playing at an elite level, and they could be primed for another legendary run. The Huskies have a track record of success at March Madness, and they have won two titles since 2010. At one point this season, UConn was without a doubt the best team in the nation, and while they haven’t been able to keep that up, they have flashed that talent in many spots. According to KenPom, they have the ninth-best offence and the 21st-best defence in the nation. Led by Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins, they have the top-end talent to beat big teams, and they also have a senior guard in Tristen Newton who can settle the team down when they need to. UConn has all the pieces to go on a deep run, and at +1800, they could be the best value bet on the board.

Texas Longhorns (+2500)

The Longhorns have been subject to a lot of tournament heartbreak in recent seasons, but this time around, it could be different. This current iteration of Texas basketball is a weird one. They struggle with consistency, but they can beat anyone on their best day. And who knows, maybe they figure it out. KenPom currently has them as the 17th-best offence and the 25th-best defense. They are capable on both sides of the floor, and they have four guys who average more than 10 points per game. While the grind of the Big 12 has hurt the Longhorns throughout this season, they are playing at a high level every night, and they will be battle-tested heading into March Madness. At +2500, the Longhorns are worth a shot, and if they go on a run, there will be a lot of opportunities to hedge.

Indiana Hoosiers (+3000)

Indiana is a fun team that has all the tools to go on a deep run. They have one stud, Trayce Jackson Davis, who is averaging 20 points per game, and he could carry this team by himself. Fortunately, he won’t have to. Guards Avery Johnson and Jalen Hood-Schifino can take over any game, and if they get hot, this Indiana team will be tough to beat. The issue with the Hoosiers is their defense, and KenPom currently has them as the 50th-best defense. While it’s lofty to assume they will improve that much, this offence is too good to ignore, and at +3000, this is a great value bet.

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