Conference tournaments are upon us, and with those comes Christmas in March for Vegas. Here are the odds for all 21 leagues, our pick, as well as some others to consider if you’re not betting the chalk.
ACC
- Duke 2/7 is the runaway favorite, and they should be. If you are rooting for an upset, don’t look to Louisville at 4/1; consider instead Clemson at 5/1. The best team in the ACC outside of Durham and a sneaky Final Four dark horse-type club. We’ll say the Devils get upset, and take Clemson
A10
- Down year for the A10, and VCU is the rightful favorite. But George Mason at 5/1 can also do some damage with their defense. VCU
America East
- Bryant is the heavy favorite at 5/8, but Vermont at 7/4 is getting narrow odds, showing you that Vegas wouldn’t consider that much of an upset. Bryant
AAC:
- Memphis is even money at 1/1, and this is a heavy chalk-favorite. The only other real contender is North Texas at 2/1 — like GM, defense is the name of their game. Still, Memphis has been a buzzsaw this year in a mid AAC. Memphis
Big 12
- Houston has also been a buzzsaw; no one has really solved their defense+perimeter scoring formula. They’re even money, and a solid bet. The only other club that has a real chance I think is Texas Tech at 2/1. Half-tempted to say TTU out of chaos, but the Cougars are battle tested and have been better. Houston
Big 10
- There’s no one playing better than Sparty right now, the favorites at 5/2. But if you’re looking for a contrasting style from another team that could give them fits, consider Maryland at 15/4. Still, I’m not overthinking this one. Michigan State.
Big East
- Typical year of mudwrestling in the Big East, and St. John’s is the favorite (as well as a contender for a 1-seed) at 3/1 because almost no one in the country does it as well. But the Red Storm have been scraping by a whole lot of games with their can’t-lose attitude. We’ll say the awful offense finally peters out on them, and call for an upset, even if it’s not smart. We’re going with Creighton at 4/1
Big Sky
- Northern Colorado is almost even money at 5/4, but we’re going with an upset here too from one of the only teams that has shown they can reliably beat the Bears…the Grizzlies. Montana at 2/1 isn’t far behind for a reason.
Big West
- Absolutely do not overthink this one. Yes, UC Irvine has a great defense (3/2), but everyone — including the Anteaters — has been light years behind UC San Diego all year. Take the Tritons at 2/3
CAA
- UNC-Wilmington is favored at 3/2, though Towson at 2/1 isn’t a bad bet. Still, UNCW has been better all season and certainly more consistent.
CUSA
- Liberty is even money, and like UCSD there’s not even a close second. Liberty it is.
Ivy
- Yale is favored at 2/3, but I really like Cornell here too at 7/4 if you want to venture forth for an underdog. Still, the Ivy usually plays to chalk, so Elis is the call.
Mid-Atlantic
- It’s a bit crowded at the top here, with Quinnipiac the narrow favorite 5/2. Still, we like what Merrimack is doing, and they’re getting decent odds too for a favored-type team. Merrimack at 11/4
MAC
- Akron has been the league bully and sits at a healthy 3/2, but we think Kent State’s OOC schedule has prepared them a bit better for March. And it’s not like it would be a huge upset at 2/1: Kent State.
WAC
- This has to be a perception issue: Grand Canyon is favored at 5/4, but Utah Valley, though lacking in the tourney experience, has been the better team all season — on paper, and with your eyeballs. Utah Valley at 2/1
West Coast
- Another perception issue, as Gonzaga’s late play and name brand makes them a heavy favorite at 2/3. And sure, the offense is nice, but St. Mary’s strangled them to death for a reason. The Gaels are such a quietly awesome team. Besides, we know how conferences rig games to get extra bids. Call this a just-in-case hunch, like just occurred two years ago. St. Mary’s at 5/4 is our call.
SWAC
- All of these teams are frankly terrible, with Southern (3/2) being the best of the lot. But we’re going with Jackson State at 3/1. HBCUs are notorious for inconsistent play leading to upsets large and small. This is a small one, but costs the Jags a bid.
Southland
- Another conference to not overthink. The McNeese Cowboys are an ungodly 2/13 on the money, and that’s easily the heaviest favorite of all the tourneys. They’re favored that much for a reason. If you must bet on an underdog, sitting third at 9/1 is TAMU-CC. But I don’t hate my money that much. McNeese.
MEAC
- See Southland above: SC State (1/1) is going to run away with this. SCSU
MWC
- New Mexico with their length and physicality are favored at 5/2, but I do believe that Colorado State (13/4) is playing the best ball of anyone in the Mountain. CSU is our pick.
SEC
- Auburn is the favorite at 3/2, though it should probably be Florida (5/2). But both of those teams have been really shaky away from home. Auburn should probably have another 3-4 losses. The Gators are barely above .500 away from home against SEC teams. So who’s our call? The team with the toughest schedule in the country who just so happened to go 10-3 in true road games. We take ‘Bama at 7/2.
