March Madness Betting: Houston Among Big 12 Title Contenders
The March Madness odds are heating up with several Big 12 teams among the title contenders.
Here’s what you need to know about every Big 12 team with the NCAA tournament around the corner.
As the #Big12MBB bracket continues to take shape, here’s how the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship would look if the season ended today. pic.twitter.com/AGmLu2a7yB
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 26, 2024
Big Dance Bound
Houston not only is the No. 1 team in the country but appears to have a top seed in the NCAA tournament locked up as well. The latest college basketball odds are –10000 to land a No. 1 seed, the third highest in the country.
CBS’ Jerry Palm has the Cougars as the top seed in the South opening up the NCAA tournament in Memphis. Houston is tied with Purdue at second in the odds to win March Madness at +750, just behind UConn.
Iowa State is projected to be a No. 3 seed in the Midwest where the Cyclones would face No. 14 Vermont based on the latest bracketology outlook. The Cyclones remain a contender to win the Big 12 tournament. If Iowa State is able to succeed, the Cyclones could jump up a seed line.
Kansas is still viewed in a higher light despite stumbling against BYU. The Jayhawks are a No. 2 seed in the East in the projections. Kansas would open the NCAA tournament in Omaha under this scenario.
Tired: This 2024 Kansas Jayhawks basketball team is bad
Wired: This 2024 Kansas Jayhawks basketball team have been gracious in welcoming the new four to the Big 12
— 𝘿𝒂𝙡𝒊 (@dali_drama) February 28, 2024
The Jayhawks are still a long shot to move up in the seeding. The latest March Madness odds give Kansas a +8000 chance to land a No. 1 seed. Kansas is also well down the championship betting odds at +2800 to cut down the nets.
Baylor is another Big 12 contender who projects to be a high seed in the NCAA tournament. The Bears are projected to be a No. 3 seed in the West taking on No. 14 Charleston in the latest bracket breakdown.
Baylor is +900 in the college basketball odds to make the Final Four. The Bears are +4000 in the odds to win the national championship.
BYU’s resume is impressive when considering the top wins the Cougars have accumulated. Like Houston, the team has been able to make the transition to the Big 12 just fine.
CBS Sports has BYU as a No. 6 seed, while ESPN is a bit more bullish giving the Cougars a No. 5 seed. In a week’s timespan, BYU just notched wins over Kansas and Baylor.The Cougars also have wins over Iowa State and Texas.
On the Bubble
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projects TCU to be a No. 9 seed. This indicates the Horned Frogs are not a lock to make the NCAA tournament but do sit firmly in the March Madness picture. TCU could help their case with a win over BYU this weekend.
Men’s Bracketology: 2024 NCAA Tournament https://t.co/raCbQfMrSF. 🏀🏀 One frequent question on Selection Sunday seems simple: “Why is my team there (instead of here)?” In a pair of recent brackets, for instance, San Diego State kept popping up in a non-West Region…
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 1, 2024
Texas Tech may have dropped out of the AP Poll but still are firmly in the NCAA tournament picture. The Red Raiders sit as a No. 7 seed heading into the final week of the regular season, per Lunardi. Texas Tech has victories over Kansas, Oklahoma, and BYU this season.
Oklahoma is a No. 8 seed in the ESPN projections. The Sooners still have regular-season matchups against Houston and Texas which could give their seed line a boost. Oklahoma’s marquee victories include BYU, Iowa State and Arkansas.
As of now, Kansas State is on the outside looking in but is at least in the NCAA tournament picture. Lunardi has the Wildcats in his “Next Four Out” section meaning Kansas State is among the first eight teams who are not in the current bracket.
The Wildcats close the year with a massive back-to-back against Kansas and Iowa State. Any more marquee wins would clearly give the Wildcats more of a chance to make the NCAA tournament.
Take A Look At These Other 2 NCAAB March Madness Special Articles
- Big Ten March Madness: Purdue Closing in on No. 1 Seed
- March Madness Update: UConn on Verge of Big East Title
Wait ‘Til Next Year
UCF, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and West Virginia are all expected to miss the NCAA tournament. Each of these programs would likely need to win the NCAA tournament in order to secure an automatic bid for March Madness.
The Knights do have a bit of momentum with back-to-back wins against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. UCF’s final three remaining matchups are all against tournament teams in Iowa State, Houston and TCU. The Knights could be a sleeper to watch in your upcoming sports bets.
College basketball lines are heating up. Bet on March Madness and see if you can be the champion!
Questions Of The Day
Can Kansas get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament?
The Jayhawks are projected to be a No. 2 seed in March Madness. Kansas faces +8000 odds to get a No. 1 seed.
Will Kansas State make the NCAA tournament?
Kansas State is a bubble team currently projected to miss the NCAA tournament.
