The pressure is on this year around. Not just for the national title but also for all men’s college basketball. Let’s keep it 100… 2024 has been the year of Women’s Basketball, ala the likes of Caitlyn Clarke, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers. The Men’s tourney has seemed a bit quiet, and now with NCSU’s Cinderella story striking 12, the two best teams in men’s college ball have the opportunity to restore order and make the tourney something work talking about.
National Championship Results
UConn 75-60 Purdue
UConn repeats back-to-back Natties. As predicted, not to toot my own horn, Edey went off for 37 points and 10 Rebounds, but Clingan was able to man guard him (enough) to allow UConn to close out Purdue’s perimeter shooters. Securing a comfortable 15 point lead and back-to-back national titles by the final buzzer.
National Championship Preview
Purdue comes into the game with a season record of 34-4, standing tall on the shoulders of 7’4″, 300lbs Zach Edey. The man’s built like a Canadian Shaq and will need to be Superman to clinch Purdue’s first natty. Edey’s averaging 28 on an efficient 62FG% over his last 10. He may qualify as a one-man demolition squad, but Purdue wouldn’t be this deep in the tourney if that were the case. Braden Smith (7.5 APG), Lance Jones, and their shooters step up in big games. Edey’s going to get his, but when the shots start falling, they are the best team in college ball.
UConn is a unique mix of length and talent. Their entire backcourt stands over 6’4″ and can put the ball on the floor. They’re arguably the most dominant college team we’ve seen in quite some time, with an age-old winning formula. Dominant big man, surrounded by no less than three shooters at all times. They’ve steamrolled almost every team they’ve played this year, and large thanks to league-ready Donvovan Clingan. Clingan’s UConn’s answer to Edey. Standing at 7’2″and 280lbs, on paper, he should be able to stand in the paint with Edey. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 9 boards, and a monstrous 3.6 blocks throughout the tourney.
March Madness 2024 Breakdown
March Madness is essentially the playoff of NCAA men’s basketball. It’s a single-elimination tourney that separates one national champion from 68 of the best college teams (according to some magical metric). The selection process is a medley of automatic selections and at-large invitations. Each conference champion gets an automatic bid, locking up the first 32 spots. The remaining 36 slots are “at-large” bids, nominated by the NCAA Selection Committee based on numerous factors, such as win-loss record, strength of schedule, and, of course, how much attention ($$$) it’ll bring to the tourney.
This sports event is largely popular among bettors due to upsets and “the bracket” and bracket-buster challenges. The NCAA tournament bracket is a roadmap where every team has to follow its predetermined path to win. Before the competition begins, teams are seeded 1 – 16, whereby the first round consists of teams with the highest seeds playing against those with the lowest seeds. Unlike other sports, teams are not reseeded as the competition progresses.
March Madness 2024 Schedule
March Madness 2024 officially starts on March 21. The tournament technically starts with the First Four, where eight of the lowest-seeded teams face off to secure their spot in the main bracket. From there, we plunge into the heart of March Madness with the following rounds:
Selection Sunday: Sun, Mar 17
First Round | Mar 21 – 22: The field of 64 battles it out, where upsets are par for the course.
Second Round | Mar 23 – 24: Winners advance, and we are all still shocked.
Sweet Sixteen | Mar 28 – 29: Only 16 teams remain, and the Cinderella stories approach midnight.
Elite Eight | Mar 30 – 31: The quarterfinals where teams vie for a coveted spot in the Final Four.
Final Four | Apr 6: The semifinals, getting here is almost like winning the tourney. Ask the Friars.
National Championship | Apr 8: The final showdown to crown the kings of NCAA basketball.
Glendale, Arizona
March Madness 2024 Results:
You can view the results of the first and second rounds on the NCAA website.
Sweet 16
Thursday, March 28
No. 2 Arizonavs. No. 6 Clemson (+7.5)- No. 1 UConn vs.
No. 5 San Diego State(+11) No. 1 North Carolinavs. No. 4 Alabama (+4.5)No. 2 Iowa Statevs. No. 3 Illinois (+1.5)
Friday, March 29
No. 2 Marquettevs. No. 11 NC State (+6.5)- No. 1 Purdue vs.
No. 5 Gonzaga(+5) No. 1 Houstonvs. No. 4 Duke (+4)- No. 2 Tennessee vs.
No. 3 Creighton(+3)
Elite 8
Saturday, March 30
- No. 1 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois
No. 6 Clemsonvs. No. 4 Alabama
Sunday, March 31
No. 2 Tennesseevs. No. 1 Purdue- No. 11 NC State vs.
No. 4 Duke
Final Four
The Final Four is the climax of the NCAA. It’s a few days of fan festivals, charity events, and basketball set this time around. Viewership, Game Intensity, Fan Volume, and Betting Handles are all set to 10.
Saturday, April 6
No. 1 NC State (+9)vs. No. 1 Purdue O/U 146 | 6:09 PM EDT | TBSNo. 4 Alabama (+12)vs. No. 1 UConn O/U 161.5 | 8:49 PM EDT | TBS
National Championship Game
Monday, April 8
No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 1 UConn | 9:20 p.m. | TBS
Betting on the Madness
- Odds: Understanding the odds is critical… usually, but the first round is so unpredictable I’d almost bet the underdog in each game.
- Bracket Predictions: Picking a perfect bracket is more than a Herculean task… at least Herc managed; no one has ever managed a Perfect Bracket. The fun is in the attempt. Analyze matchups, consider historical trends, and don’t shy away from some educated guesses.
- Prop Bets: These are bets on individual or team milestones that don’t necessarily correlate to the outcome of a game. Think along the lines of “Will Player X score more than 20 points?” or “Which team will have the most 3-pointers?” Throw them into a parlay, and maybe actually win something in March Madness.
- Futures: If you’ve got a hunch about who will cut down the nets, you can place a bet on the eventual champion before the tournament even begins, often yielding pretty significant returns if you lock in ahead of the tourney. You can bet on the tourney winner, conference winners, or who’ll make the Final Four.
Tips for March Madness Bettors
- Research: Dive into team stats and compare and contrast key offensive and defensive stats: PPG, PA, shooting percentages, Rebounding, Efficiency, and RPI.
- Bank Roll Management: Only bet what you can afford to lose, keep your wagers consistent, and have a system for managing your bankroll.
- Shop for Lines: Different sportsbooks offer different odds. Shop NCAA Bookies for the best odds value, best promotions, and smoothest withdrawals.
- Stay Disciplined: Don’t let emotions get to you, or your bets. Stick to your strategy. It’s the only refuge you’ll have all tournament.
Check also our Top 5 Sportsbook for College Basketball!
