Vegas Odds to Win March Madness for the Final Four Underdogs

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When it comes to the NCAA Tournament first round, there are straight up or moneyline underdogs and against the spread the dogs. In this blog, we handicap against the spread dogs to cover. There are a couple of games on the list that include teams what have big chances of winning SU, though. Check out the college basketball odds, an analysis, and picks for six of the top underdog plays in the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament Round 1.

2024 March Madness First Round Betting Underdogs | MyBookie NCAAB Betting Analysis

NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament: Tuesday, March 19 – Monday, April 8

Morehead State +12.5 vs Illinois

First Round: Thursday, March 21
3:10 pm, trueTV

Illinois won 7 of their last 8 games. The only loss during the stretch came in a 77-71 contest versus Purdue, the Midwest 1-seed. But although the Illini are hot, they take on a team that matches up well with them in Morehead State. The Eagles won their last 6 games behind an incredibly effective defense. Backcourt mates Riley Minix and Drew Thelwell are as solid as it gets. M. State covers.

March Madness Lines: Morehead State +12.5 | NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds Las Vegas Odds NCAA Basketball Tournament

McNeese State +6.5 vs Gonzaga

First Round: Thursday, March 21
7:25 pm, TBS

The odds say it all, right? In past seasons, Gonzaga would be a -20 points favorite versus McNeese State. The odds suggest the Zags could go down in the first round. It’s tough to argue against the idea. McNeese won their final 11 games and they did so in multiple ways, like grinding it out in a 59-58 victory over Lamar and blasting Houston Christian out the building 105-54. Zags fall straight up.

March Madness Lines: McNeese State | NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds Las Vegas Odds NCAA Basketball Tournament

Samford +7.5 vs Kansas

First Round: Thursday, March 21
9:55 pm, TBS

Here’s another possible moneyline underdog play. Injuries have hit the Kansas Jayhawks hard. The preseason number 1 lost 4 of their last 5 and the losses weren’t close. Houston beat Rock Chalk 76-46. Cincinnati blasted Kansas 72-52. Samford won 6 of their final and will be ready. Bill Self’s team heads home after the first round.

March Madness Lines: Samford | NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds Las Vegas Odds NCAA Basketball Tournament

TCU vs Utah State +3.5

First Round: Friday, March 22
9:55 pm, TBS

Utah State is a good club, but TCU has a 2-ponit loss against Kansas when the Jayhawks ranked second in the nation and a road victory over Houston on the resume. When the Horned Frogs play to their best abilities, they get it done. The Aggies could win this. So taking the points makes the most sense.

March Madness Lines: TCU +3.5 | NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds Las Vegas Odds NCAA Basketball Tournament

Vermont +11.5 vs Duke

First Round: Friday, March 22
7:10 pm, CBS

Duke lost their final 2 games. Both were by 5 points and 1 of the losses was versus West Region top seed North Carolina. Still, the Dookies don’t seem to have it this season. So asking Duke to cover an 11.5 point spread versus a solid program like Vermont’s is asking a ton. Take the points on the dog.

March Madness Lines: Vermont +11.5 | NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds Las Vegas Odds NCAA Basketball Tournament

James Madison +4.5 vs Wisconsin

First Round: Friday, March 22
9:40 pm, CBS

Not only does James Madison have a great football program, but the basketball program is also fantastic. The Dukes lost 3 games this season. 2 of the 3 losses came against Appalachian State. Wisconsin could bounce after the Big Ten Tournament run where the Badgers fell to Illinois in the final. James Madison knocks off Wisconsin in the first round.

March Madness Lines: James Madison | NCAA Men’s Basketball Odds Las Vegas Odds NCAA Basketball Tournament

2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament | March Madness Calendar

Updated March Madness lines to win this season.

The 2022 version of March Madness has been one that will stick in the memory of college basketball fans for quite some time. We saw a #15 seed make it to the Elite 8 for the first time in the history of the tournament, with St. Peters busting brackets left, right, and center. There were other surprises along the way, but as we prepare for the Final Four, which will take place this coming Saturday, we are left with a #1 seed, a pair of #2 seeds, and a #8 seed. As is so often the case in every sport, the cream does always seem to find a way to rise to the top. The question now is whether the surprises are over for this season or whether one of the underdogs can make it to the National Championship Game. Let’s take a look at those underdogs and their chances of moving on so you can bet against their March Madness Odds.

March Madness Final Four Underdogs to Wager On | College Basketball Betting

#2 Villanova Wildcats Vs #1 Kansas Jayhawks

Both of these teams know what it takes to win a national Championship, but only one of them can be the favorite to win this game. That label goes to the Kansas Jayhawks, who come into this one as a 4 ½ point favorite. It doesn’t seem right to talk about a team being a recent champion, as the players that will be on the court this Saturday were not a part of that success. The coach remains the same, though, as does the level of talent that he has available to him, so while his guys were not part of the 2 championship winning teams over the past few years, they will have the experience of the coach to guide them.

Looking at these two teams going head-to-head, it is Villanova who have had the better of the matchup, going 5-3 SU in their last 8 meetings. While that is all good, the problem that the Wildcats are going to be without one of their best offensive players, with Justin Moore tearing an Achilles versus Houston. The Wildcats defense has been great, but they are going to need to take it to another level against Kansas.

I think Villanova can keep it close and potentially cover, but I’m not sure they can win.

#8 UNC Tar Heels Vs #2 Duke Blue Devils

We all love to see the underdog come up big and take down a better opponent, but this game might be the exception to the rule. As far as matchups go, we couldn’t have asked for a better one, as this is a bitter rivalry that is going to be fun to watch. That said, for fans watching from outside the borders of North Carolina, there will be a lot of people pulling for coach K to get the championship in his final season. The bookies like his chances in this one, putting in Duke as a 4-point favorite.

A win for the Blue Devils would be seen as the best revenge after the Tar Heels spoiled Coach K’s final home game by taking the win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Not only are Duke in as the favorite to win this game, they are also now the bookies choice to win it all. They are 4-6 SU in their last 10 games versus their rivals, so you absolutely cannot count the Tar Heels out. There does, though, seem to be a feeling that Duke is a team of destiny this season, so I’d be wary about playing the underdog here.