Giving Away Money — Updated NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Odds and Props

With the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in the books, and a midmajor-heavy Sweet 16 laid before us, Vegas have updated the odds for who’s cutting down the nets.

‘Bama began the 2021 Tournament as an 18:1 22:1 second-tier candidate by the oddsmakers (depending on book). And despite being on an 8-game winning streak, and demolishing the Terrapins on a nationally-broadcast prime time game, the Tide are still very much a second-tier contender by the bookmakers.

That’s good news for you: Because these are very good odds if you want to get in on it. Alabama can win the whole thing. All of it — Alabama won’t even face a single-digit opponent until the regional final.

From SportsBettingDime:

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER

Since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1983, no player has been named the Most Outstanding Player from a team that did not win the title. That’s why a trio of Gonzaga Bulldogs are favored to take it home: Corey Kispert (+750); Drew Timme (+1000) and Jalen Suggs (+1100). Should the Zags lose, then Baylor’s Jared Butler (+1300) and Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson (+1500). However, if you’re riding a red-hot ‘Bama team, then Jahvon Quinerly can be bought in at a very healthy +12000.

1. Corey Kispert (GON): +750

2. Drew Timme (GON): +1000

3. Jalen Suggs (GON): +1100

4. Jared Butler (BAY): +1300

5. Hunter Dickinson (MICH): +1500

6. Cameron Krutwig (LOY): +2100

7. Quentin Grimes (HOU): +2500

8. Moses Moody (ARK)+ 3900

9. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (VIL): +4300

10. Evan Mobley (USC): +4500

11. Buddy Boeheim (SYR): +9000

12. Ethan Thompson (OSU): +7900

13. Max Abmas (ORU): +18000

14. Kevin Obandor (ORU): +41500

The safest bet to seems to be Suggs and Butler, in that order, assuming both Gonzaga and Baylor make the final. But, I’m very tempted to throw a few bucks at Evan Mobley too. He’s been lights-out...easily the best player of the tourney so far.

POTENTIAL MATCHUPS:

TOP SEEDS: Gonzaga-Baylor: (+415)
1 VS 1: Michigan - Baylor (+1100)
ALL OREGON”: Oregon-Oregon State (+45000)
“ALL PAC 12”: USC-Oregon State (+46000)
“ALL SEC”: Alabama-Arkansas (+13200)
“ALL ACC”: Florida State-Syracuse (+34800)
“ALL BIG EAST”: Creighton-Villanova (+63400).

I don’t particularly care for any of these. But, if I were going to go the safest route, then UM-BU and BU-Gonzaga do strike me as the most probable of the bunch. In terms of taking a flyer, why not throw a $10-spot on ‘Bama — Arkansas. If it happens, you’ll take home $132.

ODDS TO WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Gonzaga: +233

2. Baylor: +500

3. Michigan: +750

4. Loyola Chicago: +1400

5. Houston: +1450

6. Alabama: +2000

7. Arkansas: +2400

8. Florida State: +2900

9. Oregon: +3400

10. Villanova: +3400

11. USC: +3600

12. UCLA: +5200

13. Oregon State: +5900

14. Syracuse: +5900

15. Creighton: +7800

16. Oral Roberts: +12500

Alabama is buried almost middle of the pack here, and I get it — ‘Bama has to get by FSU or Michigan, and then presumably Gonzaga, to even get to the ‘Ship. I still think +2000 is great value for the Tide. For reasons of bracketology, I also like UIC here at +1450. Anything can happen in a one-off, and that team’s defense is simply superb. The Ramblers can easily make the Finals.