However, the Badgers have turned their season around and won six straight games with quality wins over ranked teams such as Michigan and Michigan State. Led by the trio of Sam Dekker, Frank Kaminsky and Ben Brust, Wisconsin is currently 3rd in the Big 10 standings and getting hot at just the right time. Wisconsin has committed just turnovers all season, a mark that is the best in the NCAA.
If the Badgers can continue to take care of the basketball and get good production from their three-point shooters, they have what it takes to make a deep run in the tournament.
Any Tom Izzo team is dangerous come tournament time. Michigan State has reached the Sweet Sixteen the past two seasons and could take the leap this year to the Final Four. Sophomore guard Gary Harris has led the Spartans this year as he averages The Spartans have three quality scorers in their starting five and if they can gain momentum in the Big 10 tournament, they will not be an easy team to beat come late March. Creighton will go as far as Doug McDermott can take them.
Five of those wins have come against top 15 teams in the country when that game was played. Their record may not be the prettiest on paper, but watching this team play, Oklahoma is as tough and gritty as anyone. When I look at a team, I look for experience and guard play. Those two factors are pivotal for success in March.
Upperclassmen have been through this before, whether it be playing in the tournament, or even going through the grind of the season. Guard play takes priority this time of year. Teams will go on scoring runs against you, but the steadiness from the guys who will have the ball more times than not is crucial. Gonzaga and Baylor seem to belong in their own category, and rightfully so. Next 1 of 7 Prev post. The Virginia Cavaliers are the defending champions and while they struggled to start the season, they are red hot right now, winners of eight in a row.
They are hovering around a No. Virginia ranks No. A week later, Wisconsin earned the No. The Badgers won eight in a row to finish the season for an incredible turnaround especially after one of their best players Kobe King left the team in late January. Gambling problem? Eligibility Restrictions Apply. Don't forget the 23 games before that.
It might be surprising to some that Michigan is tied for the second-best odds to win it all despite losing second-leading scorer Isaiah Livers to a foot injury in the Big 10 tournament. He is expected to miss at least the first weekend and likely the second weekend, should Michigan advance. The Wolverines are still loaded with talent, but clearly losing their senior leader is a lot to overcome. The East region doesn't look particularly loaded, but Alabama, the No.
Fourth-seeded Florida State ranks eighth in three-point percentage, so you know the 'Noles can fill it up in a hurry if they get hot. However, just because Michigan doesn't look like a great bet now doesn't mean that can't change.
If money starts pouring in on other teams in the East and Michigan's odds drop, then suddenly Michigan will be a value. Again, this is still a supremely talented, well-coached, and battle-tested team.
Things move fast on the betting market, so pay attention and strike when the time is right. The Illini enter the tournament as hot as any team not named Gonzaga, boasting a seven-game winning streak that includes victories against Michigan, Ohio State twice , Iowa, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Talk about a gauntlet. There's no question Illinois has what it takes to win it all, but a sneaky-tough potential second-round matchup against Loyola-Chicago looms, as well as a potential Sweet date against freshman sensation Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State.
High-flying Houston or press-happy West Virginia also won't be cakewalks should Illinois meet one of those teams in the Elite 8. As we said earlier, it's almost a guarantee one of these No. It's possible the best strategy is to bet a little something on all four and assume one will go all the way. Illinois would present the biggest payoff in that scenario.
What counts as a March Madness sleeper? Do you only consider teams with a "legitimate" shot at winning it all? If that's the case, good luck. The top teams will always stand out well above the rest.
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