2021 March Madness Early Betting Odds on Favorite Teams

If users of top sports betting sites can’t bet on March Madness 2020, there’s only one thing they can do. And that is to bet on next year’s tournament. In fact, bettors have flocked to the best online sportsbooks. In addition to the usual favorites, five dark horses in particular have been attracting money like crazy. I’m sorry, I meant to say ‘like mad’. But let’s start with the favorites first.

Virginia (+900)

The defending national champions finished the 2019-20 season 23-7 in no small part thanks to their defense. The Cavaliers allowed a best-in-the-country 52.4 points per game; the second-best ever average under Coach Tony Bennett. Forward Mamadi Diakite and guard Braxton Key are gone. But the Cavs are returning key players and welcoming talented newcomers.

Gonzaga (+1000)

The Bulldogs’ breakout star Corey Kispert has declared for the 2020 NBA draft. On the plus side for the Zags, though, he is not hiring an agent. That’s no longer a requirement for a player to return to school. But it is indicative of Kispert’s aversion to burning his bridges.

Kansas (+1000)

The Jayhawks lost Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, but they still have Marcus Garrett, Ochai Agbaji, and David McCormack. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello ranked Kansas No. 6 in his early rankings.

Michigan State (+1000)

And speaking of those rankings, the Spartans are in the top 10. Even though they lost Cassius Winston. “Foster Loyer was Winston’s backup last season, but he’s unlikely to be the permanent solution. ESPN 100 guard A.J. Hoggard could do the job, but he’s more of a scorer. Keep an eye on uncommitted Canadian star Karim Mane,” writes Borzello.

Kentucky (+1200)

The Wildcats failed to secure Matt Haarms. That’s quite a blow for Kentucky’s aspirations. The Wildcats are a team that could be a center away from becoming one of the top favorites to win the national title.

Duke (+1400)

With the addition of Patrick Tapé, Duke has officially finalized its roster. A roster chock full of talent and led by senior Jordan Goldwire. Mike Buckmire and Joey Baker will likely be named captains along with Golswire, and maybe Wendell Moore too.

Iowa (+1400)

The Hawkeyes finished the 2019-20 regular season with a 20-11 record (11-9 in Big Ten play). They also finished 19-10-1 ATS, per top sports betting sites. Iowa tied for fifth place in the conference with four other schools. Center Luke Garza was named Big Ten Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American. Garza had his best season yet. He started in 31 games, averaged 32.0 minutes, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, .8 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 23.9 points per game, and shot .358 from the three-point line. All career-bests.

The bad news is that Garza has declared for the 2020 NBA draft. The good news is that he has kept his eligibility. “The NBA has been my dream since I started playing basketball as a kid and I’m going to do everything I can to pursue that,” he said. “If it ends up not being the right time to make the move to the NBA, I’m excited about the potential of what my senior season as a Hawkeye could have in store.”

Villanova (+1400)

The Wildcats went 24-7 (13-5 in Big East play) last season, and 14-15-2 ATS according to top sports betting sites. Nova is in a similar situation as Iowa, but with their own forward Saddiq Bey. He had career-highs in games started (31), minutes (33.9), assists (2.4), blocks (.4), and points per game (16.1), and field goal (.477), three-point (.451), and free-throw (.769) percentage. Additionally, Bey averaged 4.7 rebounds per game. At the end of the regular season, Bey was unanimously selected first-team All-Big East. And named the winner of the Robert V. Geasey Trophy as the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5. “I will definitely be trying to test the [NBA] waters,” he said. “We just have to wait and see how it unfolds. It’s uncharted territory.” Like Garza, Bey has not ruled out a return to varsity hoops.

Tennessee (+5000)

The Vols finished the season 17-14, 9-9 in SEC play to finish in eighth place. Shooting guard/small forward Yves Pons averaged 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game as a junior. At the end of the regular season, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year; the first Vol to receive the honor. Should Pons return next season, he would be one of three seniors in the program. The other two would be power forward/center John Fulkerson. And Sacred Heart graduate transfer power forward E.J. Anosike, who averaged a double-double last year. Those three should be enough to make up for the departures of Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner, Rick Barnes.

West Virginia (+2200)

Head coach Bob Huggins will have a deeper and more experienced roster than last season. The three departing seniors, Jermaine Haley, Chase Harler and Logan Routt will be replaced by Isaiah Cottrell, Taj Thweatt, and Kedrian Johnson. Three prospects that are big in both height and stature. “I really like our team. I think it’s a team that’s built for a lot of success,” Huggins said.

UCLA (+5000)

The Bruins do have Shareef O’Neal, son of Shaq. That has to count for something, right? Meanwhile, shooting guard/small forward Chris Smith was the only player to average double-digit scoring last season. He averaged 13.1 points as well as 5.4 rebounds per game, earning Pac-12 Most Improved Player and All-Pac-12 first-team honors. However, he is “100% committed to the [draft] process and … excited to see what the future holds”. So that doesn’t bode well for his chances of returning.

Odds to Win 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament