March Madness Odds: Memphis Falls as Dayton Shines
As March Madness betting approaches, it is challenging to feel too strongly about teams outside the top power conferences. No. 19 Memphis was widely perceived to be in a class of their own before losing two straight to underwhelming opponents in the American Athletic Conference.
The one team surging is No. 16 Dayton, which last loss before Thanksgiving. Will bettors be thankful for the Flyers come March? Time will tell as the Flyers hit the meat of the team’s Atlantic 10 schedule.
Here is a look at the top teams who could play Cinderella in the NCAA Tournament.
Memphis Close to Dropping Out of Rankings
Memphis Tigers… pic.twitter.com/PTcoL9DbQ0
— Nick Schifani (@Nerd901Nick) January 21, 2024
What’s going on in Memphis? After shining through a challenging schedule to start the season, the Tigers have dropped two straight.
The losses were against AAC squads Tulane and South Florida, not exactly teams viewed as top conference contenders. Penny Hardaway’s squad was once viewed as the top non-power conference team.
Now, the Tigers are in serious danger of dropping out of the top 25. Memphis dropped nine spots in the latest poll, the most of any team in the AP rankings.
The Tigers have been just as disappointing to bettors this season, going 7-12 against the spread (ATS) in the college basketball odds. For Memphis, the under has hit in three of the last five outings, including in the team’s last two losses.
Memphis will still be sizable favorites in upcoming matchups against UAB and Rice. Given the team’s recent track record, few fans will be running to the window to back Hardaway’s team.
Elsewhere in the AAC, Florida Atlantic is back to looking impressive after posting back-to-back nine-point victories over UTSA and Wichita State. Memphis and FAU continue to be upcoming matchups circled on the calendar on Feb. 25 and March 9.
Dayton Moving Up in Top 25 Rankings
On the other side of the spectrum, No. 16 Dayton is tied with No. 8 Auburn and No. 20 Texas Tech in the latest poll, jumping up five spots. Dayton is now the top-ranked team not in the SEC, Big 12, ACC, Big East, Pac-12 or Big Ten.
The Flyers are doing so while riding a 13-game winning streak heading into the weekend. Dayton will get a tough test against a 13-5 Richmond squad on Saturday.
Overall, Dayton has been profitable for bettors going 11-7 ATS this season. If you’re riding the trend, take the under at the sportsbook in upcoming Flyers games. The under has cashed in five of the team’s last six games.
“He is playing like somebody who’s got a chance to not only lead Dayton deep into the NCAA Tournament, but he could be a First Team All-American.”
—@GaryParrishCBS on @DaytonMBB‘s DaRon Holmes pic.twitter.com/XpgrrJDLDt
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) January 23, 2024
Mountain West is Strong at the Top
“There is a chance that the Mountain West could have more teams in the NCAA Tournament than the ACC and potentially the Big Ten.”
—@JonRothstein on @MW_MBB pic.twitter.com/4uLthZOohf
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) January 20, 2024
Take A Look At These Other 2 NCAAB Special Articles
- NCAAB Weekly: UConn Tops March Madness Odds
- Kansas, Houston Square off Ahead of March Madness Betting
Here’s a look at some College basketball lines to consider!
The Mountain West continues to look like a strong conference, particularly at the top. The MWC boasts three teams inside the top 25: No. 18 Utah State, No. 24 Colorado State, and No. 25 New Mexico.
Colorado State and New Mexico are new additions to the rankings, benefitting from teams in the top conferences falling in recent days. Utah State bounced back with a 21-point win after its surprising 13-point loss to New Mexico.
The Aggies have rewarded bettors going 9-7-1 in the college basketball lines. Utah State’s totals have gone over in three straight games. The Aggies get a marquee Mountain West matchup against Boise State on Saturday.
Colorado State has also been solid in Vegas, going 9-7 ATS to start the season. The Rams have been on a losing skid at the window, going 0-4 against the spread in the team’s last four outings. Colorado State is 3½-point road favorites against Nevada in the NCAA basketball odds.
Colorado State has shined from the field as the No. 2-ranked shooting team at 51.4%. The Rams have also shined from long range, shooting 37.5%, which is No. 29 in the country.
March Madness odds are heating up. Bet on March Madness and see if you can be the champion!
