Best Values to Win the 2019 NCAA Basketball Tournament (March Madness)
Selections have been made, and March Madness officially tips off soon. Ahead of the madness, there are opportunities to place a range of futures bets. One of the most popular will be which team will cut down the nets in Minneapolis. We’ve asked our experts to provide their favorite values to win the 2019 NCAA Basketball Tournament.
First, let’s take a look at the odds:
| Team | Odds |
| Duke | 9/4 |
| Gonzaga | 5/1 |
| North Carolina | 6/1 |
| Virginia | 6/1 |
| Kentucky | 14/1 |
| Michigan State | 14/1 |
| Tennessee | 16/1 |
| Michigan | 20/1 |
| Texas Tech | 25/1 |
| Purdue | 28/1 |
| Houston | 30/1 |
| Florida State | 35/1 |
| Auburn | 45/1 |
| Iowa State | 45/1 |
| LSU | 50/1 |
| Villanova | 55/1 |
| Kansas | 60/1 |
| Kansas State | 65/1 |
| Marquette | 65/1 |
| Nevada | 65/1 |
| Virginia Tech | 75/1 |
| Buffalo | 85/1 |
| Louisville | 85/1 |
| Syracuse | 85/1 |
| Cincinnati | 90/1 |
| Oregon | 100/1 |
| Wisconsin | 100/1 |
| Wofford | 150/1 |
| Florida | 200/1 |
| Iowa | 200/1 |
| Mississippi State | 225/1 |
| Maryland | 250/1 |
| Central Florida | 300/1 |
| Murray State | 300/1 |
| New Mexico State | 300/1 |
| Seton Hall | 300/1 |
| Minnesota | 500/1 |
| Oklahoma | 500/1 |
| Ole Miss | 500/1 |
| Utah State | 500/1 |
| VCU | 500/1 |
| Washington | 500/1 |
| Arizona State | 1000/1 |
| Baylor | 1000/1 |
| Belmont | 1000/1 |
| Georgia State | 1000/1 |
| Liberty | 1000/1 |
| Montana | 1000/1 |
| Northeastern | 1000/1 |
| Northern Kentucky | 1000/1 |
| Ohio State | 1000/1 |
| Old Dominion | 1000/1 |
| St. John’s | 1000/1 |
| Saint Louis | 1000/1 |
| St. Mary’s (CA) | 1000/1 |
| Temple | 1000/1 |
| UC Irvine | 1000/1 |
| Yale | 1000/1 |
| Colgate | 2000/1 |
| Iona | 2000/1 |
| Vermont | 2000/1 |
| Abilene Christian | 5000/1 |
| Bradley | 5000/1 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | 5000/1 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5000/1 |
| North Dakota State | 5000/1 |
| Prairie View A&M | 5000/1 |
| North Carolina Central | 9999/1 |
What is your favorite value pick to win the Tournament?
Nevada: 65/1
“Anytime you can get 100/1 odds on a preseason top-five team, you’ve got to take it. That is what we have in the Eric Musselman-led Nevada Wolfpack. They made the Elite Eight last season and returned their three top scorers. Florida isn’t an easy draw in the first round, but they are in the easiest region with arguably the weakest No. 1 seed and weakest No. 2 seed. Musselman’s squads have shown some serious magic in April before, so don’t count out the untested seven seed.â€
– Bobby Sylvester (@bobbyfantasypro)
Virginia: 8/1
“I know what you are thinking: 8/1 isn’t much of a longshot. And you’re right, but this is a Virginia team that ranks number one in Ken Pomeroy’s highly-regarded power ratings and has for the majority of the season (even when Duke was at its peak). I think we’re seeing a bit of a reduced price on the Cavaliers because people will be afraid to touch them after they became the first number-one seed to lose to a 16-seed in last year’s tournament. But that makes me like them even more because it means that they will not be overlooking anyone this time around. This is the best offensive unit that head coach Tony Bennett has ever possessed, and they are still one of the best defensive teams in the country in the half-court. They are the only team in the tournament that ranks top-five in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency and they make over 40% over their three-point attempts, ranking fourth-best in the country in that regard. De’Andre Hunter will likely end up being a lottery pick in the NBA Draft while Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy both play with ice-water in their veins.â€
– Shane Davies (@sbdavies7)
Tennessee: 16/1
“The odds on Tennessee seem a bit long considering it already beat 5/1 Gonzaga on a neutral court. The Vols simply don’t lose to lesser teams and that means their path to the Elite Eight is fairly clear. Getting to the Final Four is another story, but this team has already shown it can compete with the best in the country and the odds are likely skewed because of its most recent loss. They have a balanced lineup with loads of experience led by Grant Williams at the top. It’d make more sense to put them at the same 12/1 as Kentucky, but 16/1 is just too high.â€
– Adam Zdroik (@RotoZdroik)
Marquette: 70/1
“When looking for a value team to win the tournament I want to find a team that has played at an elite level for stretches during the season, has some upperclassmen leadership, and has a clutch go-to player who can handle the pressure of knocking down a big shot to win a game. The team that has the longest odds to win the championship that meets those criteria to me is Marquette. They suffered some losses down the stretch but they won 12 of 13 games prior to their recent struggles which shows they can get on a roll and string together some victories. They have a clutch scorer in Junior Markus Howard who is not afraid of a big moment. Marquette may also be in the region (West) that is considered the most up for grabs in this year’s tournament. Sure, they could lose in the first round to Ja Morant and the Murray St. Racers, but they could also be cutting down the nets in Minneapolis if they get on a roll and Howard knocks down some big shots along the way.â€
– Brad Richter (@RotoPilot)
Buffalo: 85/1
“It’s no secret that great guard play is vital for success in March, and the Bulls quietly have one of the best backcourts in the country. 6-foot-3 Senior CJ Massinburg is the leader of this Buffalo team. He averages 18.0 points, 6.6 rebs. and 3.0 assists, which earned him the title of MAC Player of the Year. MAC Tournament MVP was 6-foot-7 Senior Jeremy Harris, who averages 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The big man down low is 6-foot-8 Senior Nick Perkins, who averages 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds of his own. As you can see, the Bulls are balanced, experienced, and score at a high volume (fifth in the country). With this level of experience and shooters all over the floor, Buffalo will be a tough out for anybody. These odds are juicy enough for me to take a chance.â€
– Zach Brunner (@FantasyFlurry)
Houston: 30/1
“A top-three seeded team has won March Madness in 19 of the past 20 tournaments. I’m confident that’ll turn into 20 of the past 21. Houston gathered a great 31-3 record this season. While they didn’t have the toughest schedule or win the AAC it doesn’t mean they aren’t a top-tier team. They have taken down many teams in the tournament such as the No. 3 seed in LSU, a red-hot Oregon squad, Utah State, UCF, and Cincinnati. They don’t have the easiest road to the championship as they’ll likely face a solid Iowa State team in the second round, Kentucky in the Sweet 16, and possibly UNC in the Elite Eight. The 30/1 odds really make it a great bet, though, as it is almost certain a top-three seed will end up as the champion.â€
– Kamran Hoda (@Kamran_H7)