The field of 68 is set, and March Madness 2024 is about to commence. Naturally, the only thing left to do is fill out a bracket and start handicapping BetMGM's college basketball odds.
I'm writing loads of good NCAA Tournament content and analysis here at the Roar. For those looking to get involved with the futures market, my college basketball national championship odds breakdown goes deep into both futures analysis and internal BetMGM data. It's a must-read.'
If you're looking to bet single games and it's still early enough in the week, you can also check out my First Four predictions primer, where I break down my favorite bets for all four of the early games.'
This article below is a continuation of that piece. As Wednesday flows into Thursday and the first round of the NCAA Tournament begins in earnest, handicappers will be digging for all the best bets available in the college basketball betting marketplace.'
March Madness First Round Odds
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| Favorite (Spread/ML) | Underdog (Spread/ML) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| No. 9 Mich. State (-120) | No. 8 Miss State (+100) | 130.5 |
| No. 6 BYU (-9.5) | No. 11 Duquesne (+9.5) | 142.5 |
| No. 3 Creighton (-12.5) | No. 14 Akron (+12.5) | 141.5 |
| No. 2 Arizona (-20.5) | No. 15 Long Beach State (+20.5) | 161.5 |
| No. 3 Illinois (-12.5) | No. 14 Morehead State (+12.5) | 147.5 |
| No. 6 South Carolina (-120) | No. 11 Oregon (+100) | 132.5 |
| No. 10 Nevada (-120) | No. 7 Dayton (+100) | 136.5 |
| No. 3 Kentucky (-13.5) | Oakland (+13.5) | 162.5 |
| No. 5 Gonzaga (-6.5) | No. 12 McNeese (+6.5) | 149.5 |
| No. 2 Iowa State (-16.5) | No. 15 S. Dakota St ate (+16.5) | 135.5 |
| No. 2 Tennessee (-21.5) | No. 15 Saint Peter's (+21.5) | 129.5 |
| No. 6 Texas Tech (-4.5) | No. 11 NC State (+4.5) | 145.5 |
| No. 4 Kansas (-7.5) | No. 13 Samford (+7.5) | 152.5 |
| No. 10 Drake (-125) | No. 7 Washington State (+105) | 138.5 |
| No. 8 Florida Atlantic (-2.5) | No. 9 Northwestern (+2.5) | 142.5 |
| No. 3 Baylor (-13.5) | No. 14 Colgate (+13.5) | 138.5 |
| No. 5 San Diego State (-7.5) | No. 12 UAB (+7.5) | 138.5 |
| No. 2 Marquette (-13.5) | No. 15 W. Kentucky (+13.5) | 158.5 |
| No. 1 UConn (-26.5) | No. 16 Stetson (+26.5) | 145.5 |
| No. 11 New Mexico (-2.5) | No. 6 Clemson (+2.5) | 150.5 |
| No. 4 Auburn (-12.5) | No. 13 Yale (+12.5) | 140.5 |
| N o. 8 Nebraska (-115) | No. 9 Texas A&M (-105) | 147.5 |
| No. 4 Duke (-11.5) | No. 13 Vermont (+11.5) | 132.5 |
| No. 4 Alabama (-9.5) | No. 13 Charleston (+9.5) | 173.5 |
| No. 1 Houston (-24.5) | No. 16 Longwood (+24.5) | 128.5 |
| No. 5 Wisconsin (-5.5) | No. 12 James Madison (+5.5) | 145.5 |
| No. 9 TCU (-3.5) | No. 8 Utah State (+3.5) | 150.5 |
| No. 5 Saint Mary's (-5.5) | No. 12 Grand Canyon (+5.5) | 131.5 |
NCAA Tournament First Round Predictions
Sure, finish your bracket. Listen to every podcast, and sweat every detail.'
Just don't forget to get your bets in, too. That's where I come in.