NCAAB Betting: The Three Longshot Teams We are Betting on to Win March Madness

Michael Savio pic
By:
Michael Savio
02/19/2024
NCAAB
Basketball news

Highlights

  • Kentucky is averaging the second most points in the SEC (88.2 PPG)
  • Jason LeDee is averaging 20.4 points per game after averaging 7.9 last season
  • South Florida is 16-1 since December 9

March Madness is just one month away, with the First Four set to tip off on March 19. Many conference races have been decided, leaving teams to focus on building up their resume for Selection Sunday. That has bettors in legal betting states looking to get their bets in on this year’s tournament winner.

Prices for this year’s winner are favorable at betting sites, meaning now is the time to get your bets in. Our USA Legal Betting experts have been closely studying the projected tournament field and have come up with four longshot bets they love. 

Below, we will share the odds and insights you need to bet on each confidently heading into March.

Kentucky Wildcats 

Odds to win NCAA Tournament: +2500 at BetMGM Sportsbook

Consistency may not be Kentucky’s strong suit, but there is no denying they have the talent to play with anyone in the country. They showed that on Sunday as they went on the road to blow out #13 Auburn. The atmosphere had the feel of a tournament game, and we saw the Wildcats thrive from the opening whistle.

Kentucky is scoring the second most points in the SEC (88.2 PPG), but their defense ranks thirteenth (77.4 PPG). They have been lit up by good offenses this season, but their ability to score has kept them in games.

We believe the Wildcats defense is starting to turn things around, allowing under 64 points in two straight games. That includes their win on Saturday where they held a good Auburn offense to 59 points.

San Diego State Aztecs 

Odds to win NCAA Tournament: +7500 at FanDuel Sportsbook

It seems strange to have a team that played in last year’s National Championship game as a longshot bet, but their price from FanDuel speaks for itself. The Aztecs are 20-6 this season and are tied with Utah State Aggies for the Mountain West lead. The conference is loaded this season, with seven teams within two games of each other.

There are two reasons why we like the Aztecs to have another big postseason run. One if their experience, which they showed on Friday night when they went on the road to beat up on a very good New Mexico team.

The other reason is that Jason LeDee is becoming one of the top scorers in the country. After averaging just 7.9 PPG last season, he has raised it to 20.4 PPG this season, making 56.2% of his shots. Consistent scoring was something they lacked last season, but they now have it with LeDee.

South Florida Bulls 

Odds to win NCAA Tournament: +25000 at BetRivers Sportsbook

This is a much bigger longshot, but we think it’s one worth taking. SFU came into this season with very low expectations, but they currently lead a very good American conference after beating #24 Florida Atlantic. They withstood a massive comeback effort from the Owls to win their eleventh straight game. The Bulls are now 12-1 in the conference. 

The Bulls had an ugly start to the season, losing some bad games to bad teams. However, they have rebounded to go 16-1 since December 9. That run includes impressive wins against Florida State (neutral court), Memphis (road), Charlotte (home), and FAU (home). Their only loss during the run was a close one that came on the road to good UAB team. 

We know that SFU’s March Madness spot isn’t even secured yet, but we love the way they have been playing. Mid-majors stole the show in last season’s NCAA Tournament, with two making the Final Four, including the FAU team that the Bulls just beat.