Category Archives: Uncategorized

Futures Tickets for Resale by the College Basketball Ey Test Blog

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College basketball futures betting becomes even more dynamic once the Sweet 16 bracket is set, as fans and bettors look for creative ways to manage risk, lock in profit, or simply stay connected to their favorite teams’ championship runs. At CollegeBasketballEyeTest.com, readers can follow along as select NCAA Tournament futures tickets are occasionally listed on the PropSwap resale marketplace, giving the broader fan community a chance to buy into live March Madness storylines. Below is a look at current and recent listings that have generated interest.

Matty D. Spots 4 of the Sweet 16 in his “Cinderella Super Sleeper” Article

Before this tournament began, blogger Matty D. revealed these top 10 Cinderella “Super Sleepers.” All of the picks included teams with odds no more expensive than 50-1. For example, Arkansas was the chalky of the picks at 50-1 before the tournament began. This top 10 list started as a top 5 list before Selection Sunday, but was expanded to a top 10 list after the original top 5 included 4 teams that were put in the region with Arizona on Selection Sunday.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Futures Ticket Resale Market Gains Attention as Sweet 16 Odds Take Shape

As the Sweet 16 field settles and college basketball future odds continue to evolve, Nebraska has quietly become one of the more fascinating storylines in the secondary betting marketplace. A previously listed Nebraska national championship futures ticket priced at $18.67 has already sold on PropSwap, ultimately drawing enough interest to be bid up to $20.00 before closing.

[CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR OUR NEWEST NEBRASKA TICKET ON PROPSWAP]

The ticket, posted by CollegeBasketballEyeTest.com blogger Matty D., reflected the perspective of a dedicated college basketball follower engaging with fellow fans in the resale futures market rather than any type of high-profile betting personality. The lighthearted pricing reference to Nebraska’s 1867 statehood added personality to the listing and helped spark conversation among bettors tracking Sweet 16 championship odds and March Madness futures value. After being listed for $18.67, that ticket got bid up to sell for $20.00.

PropSwap is one of the leading platforms for buying and selling live sports betting tickets. The earlier Nebraska futures listing — promoted alongside a vintage pioneer-style image — gained additional visibility when it was retweeted by PropSwap’s official account.

Now, a new Nebraska futures ticket — currently visible in the marketplace at significantly longer odds — will present what could be described as “an affordable option for Cornhusker fans or college basketball enthusiasts, alike.” With only sixteen teams remaining in the NCAA Tournament, bettors searching for college basketball future odds today, Sweet 16 sleeper bets, or Nebraska championship betting value are increasingly monitoring resale platforms in addition to traditional sportsbooks.

Fan Energy Traveling Far Beyond Lincoln

The enthusiasm surrounding Nebraska’s postseason surge has been impossible to ignore. Cornhusker supporters notably filled large portions of the arena in Oklahoma City, traveling more than 400 miles from Lincoln to help push their team toward a memorable tournament victory against Vanderbilt.

For many longtime supporters, the Sweet 16 run represents not just bracket success but a shared experience rooted in loyalty and belief. That emotional investment often carries into the betting markets, where futures tickets become both speculative assets and symbolic keepsakes tied to a historic season.

St. John’s + New York Knicks Futures Parlay Gaining Momentum

Meanwhile, a previously discussed St. John’s national championship and New York Knicks NBA Finals parlay ticket has continued to rise in perceived value after St. John’s defeated Kansas to advance into the Sweet 16. As tournament volatility increases, combined futures positions like this one are drawing additional attention from bettors seeking upside tied to New York-area championship optimism.

Click here to learn more about the value of this St. John’s Knicks combo ticket.

College Basketball Eye Test Picks for Friday Picks after a Red-Hot Thursday

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Collegebasketballeyetest.com blogger Matty D. started March Madness on a roll with his picks against the spread going 12-2 on Thursday, and here he shares his picks for Friday.

Including the regular season, his picks published here are now 56-37 overall. That’s a 60% winning percentage against the spread. Click here to see the regular season breakdown.

Sports Betting Picks for Friday in the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament

BY MATTY D.

Will Underdogs Continue to Cover on Friday after Competing All Day Thursday?

Every year I remind fellow college basketball fans how good underdogs always cover the first half spread. That’s one of the top 5 rules to always follow when betting March Madness on a budget.

Please watch and subscribe to this video on our YouTube channel!

On Thursday, high seed underdogs Howard, McNeese, Penn, High Point, and Siena all covered the first half spreads. For Friday, I can see much of the same thing happening.

Predicted Teams to Cover First Half, Game Spread on Friday:
Furman +20.5
California Baptist +14.5
Queens +24.5
Akron +7.5
Tennessee State +24.5

This photo was tweeted shortly after Selection Sunday, showing all of the against the spread picks for Thursday and Friday. Thursday is highlighted in blue and Friday yellow.

Does the Big 12’s Dominance Get Bigger and More Obvious After Friday?

With Duke, and even at times Michigan, struggling against high seeds in the first game of the NCAA Tournament, Big 12 teams like Houston, Iowa State, and Arizona have a chance to show us the separation their conference commands this season. With no clear obvious national contender registering a wire to wire thoroughbred sprint to victory on Thursday, the futures values tickets bought on Wednesday look much better. Having a High Point team beat Wisconsin outright doesn’t hurt. High Point will now play Arkansas, one of my top 10 futures values going into this tournament at 50-1 to win it all.

Click here to read my top 10 Cinderella Super Sleeper teams to Win March Madness:

10 Cinderella Super Sleepers for March Madness 2026!

Not listed in that article is my actual favorite future bet right now, which is not a “Cinderella” pick. Buying into the Big 12 at 2-1 to win a national championship feels like a steal considering how Arizona and Iowa State have manageable paths to the Final Four. TCU even won on Thursday, giving that futures weaponry another bullet.

Thanks for reading along and good luck in the tournament!

BrackEYEtestology: Ranking the First 11 Teams in the Tourney

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Each March, the NCAA Tournament introduces college basketball fans to a new group of mid-major champions who earned automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments. This blog article will evaluate the visual “eye test” qualities of each mid-major team that secured a place in the 2026 Men’s College Basketball Tournament bracket, focusing on those who punched their ticket prior to Gonzaga.

While Gonzaga appears on this conference outline, the program is widely regarded as a national power despite competing in a traditionally weaker conference structure. The goal of this article is to provide quick-hit visual scouting impressions of these mid-major qualifiers.

BY MATTY D.

Tennessee State Jumps Off the Page when Comparing Hype to the Eye Test

One of the first teams to punch their tickets to the 2026 Men’s College Basketball Tournament could be one of the most dangerous and dramatic upset candidates in the entire tourney. If you like riding underdogs on your bracket, you may enjoy how this team’s entry will be old news by the time Selection Sunday gets sorted out.

Guard Aaron Nkrumah absolutely jumps off the page. Or, should I say, he jumps off the TV screen with athleticism. The bouncy 6-6 senior scored 14 points in the championship win against Morehead State, but it was actually noteworthy that the Tigers enjoyed five players scoring in the teens during that game. This is on par with how Tennessee State has been finishing up its regular season. Since losing its last time this season to Morehead State, the Tigers have been beating teams by an average of 18 points, including two lopsided wins of 27 and 26 points against SIUE and Morehead State, respectively.

If you needed any more reasons to like Tennessee State as a sleeper team, consider its head coach. This past summer, former 4-year starting Duke point guard Nolan Smith was announced at the Tigers head coach. This, after serving as an assistant with Memphis and Louisville.

Rookie head coach Nolan Smith was nominated as a finalist for one of the best mid-major coaches in America.

Tennessee State’s announcement of the Nolan news put it in context the best:

“Smith spent his entire playing career at Duke under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. That experience helped shape Smith’s foundation as a tactician, motivator, and leader.”

Seniority “On Brand” as UNI Finds the Field Once Again

In this age of NIL, it’s hard to find examples of seniority thriving in college basketball.

Yet, there’s a perfect example of hard work paying off in the Missouri Valley Conference. The University of Northern Iowa is led by 4-year senior guard Trey Campbell, who also led an Iowa high school team to a state championship.

Of course, it wouldn’t be “on brand” to say that UNI is a one man show. Campbell leads the team with 13 points per game, but has four other teammates averaging around double digits.

Northern Iowa also has seniority when it comes to its long tenured head coach. Ben Jacobson has been at the helm for the Panthers since 2006.

Furman Finds Itself As Another Fiesty 6 Seed to Fight Its Way Into the Tournament

Ironically, both the Furman Paladins and that Northern Iowa Panthers teams are making it into the tournament as former 6 seeds in their own conferences.

Furman is a well-put-together roster with capable athletes everywhere. Led by a true freshman in Alex Wilkins, he has brothers Cooper and Cole Bowser attacking the rim at his side.

Not only do UNI and Furman share similarities as 6 seeds to win their conference championship, but they also squared off earlier this season in non-conference play.

Former Syracuse Fan Favorite Fanning the Flames of Upstate New York Revival

If you live in New York, you might be happy to hear that three of the first 11 teams to make the NCAA Tournament are from the Empire State. Upstate New York may have been hopeful of a rejuvenation of Syracuse basketball with Carmelo Anthony’s son playing for the orange and blue.

However, it’s another former Syracuse Orange player who is making a splash.

Syracuse cult hero Gerry McNamara, aka “G-Mac” has led another Upstate New York program to prominence. You’ll remember Gerry McNamara as the starting point guard on the 2001 Syracuse Orange championship team. Now, the Siena Saints of the capital region will return to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament with McNamara as their head coach.

Siena Saints head coach Gerry McNamara courtesy SienaSaints.com Potographer Josh Miller

True to the script of how the universe is unfolding as it should, McNamara’s Saints are led by another gritty undersized under-recruited combo guard from Upstate New York. Gavin Doty of Fulton, NY is averaging 18 points for the Saints in his sophomore season. Siena was dominating Merrimack in the MAC Championship game in the first half before they had to fend off a more serious run.

What Else You Should Know about the First 10 Teams to Make March Madness 2026

As the bracket continues to take shape, six additional mid-major champions who punched their tickets before Gonzaga deserve at least a quick closing nod. Queens (N.C.) arrives from the ASUN with one of the nation’s most aggressive transition attacks, routinely pushing tempo behind dynamic guard play. High Point leaned on a prolific perimeter scoring profile during its Big South title run, spacing the floor with multiple double-figure shooters. Wright State brings a physically imposing interior presence that has powered one of the Horizon League’s most efficient paint-scoring units. Long Island surged late with disruptive on-ball pressure that fueled a top-tier steal rate in Northeast Conference play. And North Dakota State, long respected for disciplined execution, once again showcased a methodical half-court offense that finished near the top of the Summit League in shooting efficiency — a reminder that even in a tournament defined by chaos, structure and shot-making still travel well when the lights get brightest. Hofstra returns to March Madness with a reputation for elite ball security, consistently ranking among conference leaders in assist-to-turnover efficiency.

Suspect Spreads Saturday Spots Two Major Snubs

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Two of America’s most overlooked teams within the AP Top 25 are totally being disrespected by this weekend’s odds for NCAA Men’s College Basketball games. That’s where we begin this Saturday’s rundown of suspect spreads.

BY MATTY D.

UVA “Flat Better than” other NCAA Tournament Teams

Will Wade understands it. The rest of us college basketball fans better get with the picture, too.

Virginia is steamrolling teams.

The Cavaliers’ dominant win against a bubble NC State team last weekend was noteworthy. It wasn’t much of a game. Virginia put on an offensive clinic with everyone getting a turn. The 23-year-old “freshman” from Belgium, Thijs De Ridder got to the rim with ease. De Ridder is averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds this season.

He and his Cav teammates blocked 11 shots in the game, many in the opening moments.

Head Coach Ryan Odom already had his “one shining moment” when his UMBC Retrievers became the first-ever team to beat a 1 seed as a 16 seed (in 2021). Despite breaking their hearts in that fashion, UVA actually decided to hire Odom as their next head coach after the long tenure of Tony Bennett had come to a conclusion. In a coincidental turn of events, no one is really giving UVA a shot right now, either. On the heels of their dominant performance against the Wolfpack, the Cavaliers will face Duke as a 10.5 point underdog (according to DraftKings).

Darius Acuff and Arkansas Overlooked

The Florida Gators have been playing good basketball of late, but they have zero business being a 10 point favorite against Arkansas on Saturday. Arkansas carries a 20th overall ranking.

The Razorbacks look at times like a Final Four contender. Point guard Darius Acuff Jr. is among the tier of freshman following the top 5 NBA lottery pick freshmen who you hear all about. However, this kid has as high of a ceiling as the others. Texas A&M was challenging Arkansas this past week, before Acuff put on a street-ball styled flurry of plays that just reminded the Aggies who they’re dealing with.

This matchup against the Gators on Saturday might be a classic example of strengths against weaknesses, and vice versa. Florida guards have seemed to settle in after transferring into those positions this year, but it will be Florida’s front court that will have the advantage in this game.

Conversely, the Arkansas guards including Acuff Jr., Dejuan Wagner Jr., and Billy Richomond III will be a lot of athleticism for the Gator guards to have to handle.

USC Nebraska a Litmus Test Game for Both Basketball Teams

We don’t really know if USC is a tournament team and we don’t really know if Nebraska really deserves to be in this 2 or 3 seed discussion. Sure, they went undefeated for the better portion of 3 months. Still, it seems like we’re left waiting for the other shoe to drop with Nebraska.

Nebraska went undefeated until getting beat by Michigan for the first time on January 27th. In the month that followed, Nebraska hasn’t been terribly impressive. They won 3 or their last 4 games, but none of them against ranked teams. They lost their last game against a ranked opponent when they played Purdue, although they came storming back from a huge deficit in that game. It just looks like teams have figured Nebraska. Nebraska and Vanderbilt both look similar at this juncture. Their stocks were skyrocketing in December or January, but are now plateauing if not coming back down to earth.

As for USC, Chad Baker-Mazara returned from the injury report two games ago, but the Trojans have struggled in that pair. They just got routed by UCLA, which has not exactly been firing on all cylinders this season.

Suspect Spreads Saturday for a weekend featuring Duke Michigan rivalry renewed

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College basketball delivers one of those Saturdays where what could have been a slow morning suddenly turns into a loaded slate with seeding implications, rivalry flashbacks, and potential market overreactions. As we inch closer to March Madness, these are the matchups that matter — not just for rankings, but for understanding which teams are peaking at the right time and which lines might be mispriced.

Kansas Homecoming Could Be Comfortable Matchup Hosting Cincy

Kansas is finally coming home after playing five of its last eight games on the road, including tough trips to BYU, Texas Tech, Arizona, and Iowa State. That kind of travel stretch can harden a team, and KU has handled it well. Even without full availability from their projected lottery pick, the Jayhawks have been playing strong basketball and positioning themselves solidly in the national conversation. Flory Badunga has been playing out of his mind, giving Kansas a physical interior presence and consistent production. The guards have stepped up, and there’s real depth at that position. Allen Fieldhouse has a way of turning momentum into a celebration, and this feels like one of those games. Cincinnati has had a tough year, and this sets up as a comfortable homecoming spot for KU.

Tennessee Getting Points at Shaky Vanderbilt Is the Most Suspect Line of the Day

Vanderbilt started the year looking like a national title sleeper, but things have cooled off. The Commodores have dropped a couple of games and are managing injury concerns that I’ve outlined previously in my injury tracker heading toward March Madness. Instead of climbing, they now project closer to the middle of the national seeding picture. That’s why seeing Vanderbilt laying three and a half points to Tennessee raises eyebrows. Tennessee grades out better on paper and passes the eye test. They are more consistent defensively and more reliable possession to possession. This spread feels off, and it’s the most questionable line on the board for me.

Houston’s Star Power Is Real, But Arizona Has the Depth to Compete

This is the game of the day. Houston hosting Arizona brings Final Four energy. Watching Houston at Iowa State only strengthened my belief in this group. Kingston Flemings plays with the explosiveness and body control of a young Derrick Rose — the burst, the pace, the ability to stop and rise into a mid-range jumper. In a modern analytics era dominated by dunks and threes, Flemings’ mid-range efficiency keeps defenders off balance. Houston is elite. However, laying five and a half points feels heavy given that Arizona, even with Coa Pete sidelined, remains deep and physical. The Wildcats are seven or eight players strong and can match size and athleticism. Houston is the better team, but Arizona absolutely has the profile to compete.

Freshman phenom Koa Peat is reportedly still out with a lower leg strain.

Duke as an Underdog Against Michigan Is Too Good to Pass Up

Michigan and Duke renew a rivalry that brings back memories of Chris Webber, Christian Laettner, the Fab Five, and Duke’s early-90s dominance. It’s rare to see this kind of late-February non-conference matchup, and it’s great for the sport. From a betting perspective, getting Duke at plus two and a half is hard to ignore. Duke is clearly the class of the ACC and a legitimate national title contender. Michigan has been battle-tested in the Big Ten, but that league beats up on itself. This is a different environment, and I don’t love Michigan in the favorite role here. Duke is the side.

Final Thoughts

These are the matchups I’ll be watching closely as March Madness inches closer. The stakes are rising, the seeding implications are tightening, and the margins are shrinking. Follow along at CollegeBasketballItest.com and on social platforms for continued analysis as we move deeper into tournament season. Enjoy the action.

Kingston Flemings celebrates a shot made before the home crowd.
Photo taken by Stephen Pinchback Kingston Flemings, courtesy UHcougars.com

Multiple mid-major teams pass the college basketball eye test in February

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It’s the penultimate month before March and the college basketball picture looks a lot different from what was expected at the start of the 2025-2026 season. Nebraska went from being unranked in the preseason, to currently projected as a potential 1 seed in the tournament. It took until late January for the Cornhuskers to harvest their first loss of the season. Their Big 10 counterpart and victor in that game, Michigan, went from being a preseason 12th ranked program to looking unbeatable. The Wolverines have been absolutely crushing teams.

Dangerous mid-major underdogs roam wild across college basketball

As the major programs (and their coaches) whine about the lack of loyalty that happens in the new NIL portal-crazed climate (boo-whoo), the smaller mid-major programs are quietly putting together impressive resumes.

St. Louis Billikens basketball is currently the 21st ranked team in the nation. However, it’s not only the major power teams that are leveraging the transfer portal. The Billikens sport 10 newcomers on this roster. You may remember one of their transfers in the popular “Cream Adbul Jabbar” Robbie Avila, a transfer from Indiana State. Avila’s Sycamores got totally snubbed from the NCAA Tournament last season. They enter February with only 1 loss and are competing in an Atlantic 10 division that has a favorable argument to make for two teams getting invited to the tournament. George Mason and VCU have also been putting together tourney-contention-worthy resumes.

UNCW made its loudest statement of the season by walking into Baltimore and dominating Towson in a nationally televised game between two legitimate CAA contenders. That wasn’t a hot shooting night or a matchup fluke—it was a physical, controlled performance that showed roster maturity and a clear identity. The Seahawks’ rotation leans heavily on experienced guards and upper-class forwards who understand spacing, shot selection, and how to defend without gambling. UNCW dictated tempo, owned the glass, and took Towson out of its comfort zone early, turning a big conference game into a showcase. When a mid-major can impose itself on the road, on TV, against a peer, that’s the kind of résumé line that carries weight in February and credibility in March.

Liberty Flames continue to look like one of the most structurally sound teams in the country, regardless of conference label. Their depth is real, not theoretical, with a steady rotation of players who accept roles and execute them cleanly. Liberty’s offense doesn’t rely on one scorer or one action; it wears teams down with spacing, shot discipline, and relentless rebounding, especially on second chances. The experience across the roster shows up late in halves, when possessions matter and Liberty almost always gets a good look. This is the type of team metrics love and opponents hate, because nothing feels easy and mistakes are punished immediately.

South Florida deserves more attention than it’s getting nationally, because the Bulls consistently pass the eye test in ways that translate to tournament play. Their physicality stands out, particularly on the offensive glass, where they generate extra possessions at an elite rate and grind opponents into foul trouble. The Bulls lead the country in second chance points. It’s a big reason why they easily hit triple digits in games. USF doesn’t need to shoot lights-out to win games—they overwhelm teams with effort, depth, and pressure that accumulates over forty minutes. When you watch them against quality competition, the takeaway isn’t just that they’re winning, but how they’re winning. That profile—tough, rebounding-heavy, and comfortable playing ugly—is exactly what creates first-round upsets in March.

Who is good in college basketball this year? The Answer is still TBD January of 2026

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The college basketball landscape is wide open as the calendar turns to 2026 and these teams outside of the top 5 have built a compelling tournament resume.

BY MATTY D.

Utah State Looking Like the Aztecs in Terms of Mountain West Dominance

College basketball fans like myself, who have been watching for the past 20-30 years, just assume that the San Diego State Aztecs are going to dominate the Mountain West and then represent the conference honorably in March. This year, there’s a different wrinkle to that picture. Utah State is not only winning, but they are dominating. This weekend they went into Boise State and beat the shit out of a Broncos team that actually just took those same Aztecs into triple overtime. And so they’re good. However, it wasn’t a contest when Utah State visited Boise a few days later.

Watch the first half highlights from this game. The Aggies came out angry and athletic, a deadly.combo.

AJ Storr and a talented Ole Miss orchestra of guards playing in harmony after discord

AJ Storr and his coach Chris Beard went viral to start the season because of their uncomfortable moment at the postgame podium. When you’re a player like Storr who has literally played for four college programs, it’s easy for basketball fans to critque you for your lack of coommitment to basketball’s fundamentals. But Storr’s play at times this season, justified that jeering.

This weekend, Storr had his best game in store.

He scored 26 on a highly efficient night. He shot 50% from the field, 4-6 from 3PT, and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line.

This could be a turning point to the season to where Ole Miss starts cooking.

Iowa exposed inside on big win by the Baltic built Illinois basketball team

Illinois didn’t just beat Iowa. They physically exposed them.

This was not a game decided by hot shooting or clever sets. This was decided by mass, leverage, and a level of interior strength that Iowa simply did not have answers for. From the opening possessions, Illinois lived in the paint, and Iowa absorbed it. By halftime, Illinois had already dropped 24 points in the paint.

That production came straight from the Balkan Five. Tomislav Ivišić, Zvonimir Ivišić, Andrej Stojaković, Mihailo Petrović, and David Mirković brought a level of size and physical comfort that Iowa could not match. These are adult frames. These are players who are used to contact. And they played like it.

When Illinois rolls that group out, it doesn’t look like a college lineup. It looks like a EuroLeague frontcourt wandered into the Big Ten.

Kylan Boswell was the steady hand that made all of it work. He played 38 minutes, scored 17 points, hit timely shots, and more importantly, kept the offense organized. He didn’t over-dribble. He didn’t force. He consistently got Illinois into their actions and delivered the ball where it needed to go. In a game built on physical advantage, that kind of point guard control is everything. Iowa never disrupted him, and Illinois never lost rhythm.

Stojaković is especially interesting in this group, not just because of his strength, but because of his bloodlines. As Peja Stojaković’s son, he connects Illinois to this growing wave of sons of NBA players currently impacting college basketball (click here for the full article).

Illinois is not just international. They are grown.

College Basketball Game Previews Weekend before Christmas

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The conference schedules are starting nationwide and college basketball teams have a better idea of how much work their tournament resumes need. Here are some highlights going into the games for the Saturday before Christmas.

BY MATTY D.

Kentucky Wildcats vs St. John’s Red Storm — Volatility Meets a Potential Energy Shift

The Kentucky Wildcats have been one of the hardest teams in the country to pin down so far, and that unpredictability is exactly what makes this spot fascinating. Getting overwhelmed by Gonzaga followed by a confidence-boosting win over Indiana illustrates a team still searching for its identity, but also one capable of sharp course correction. The biggest storyline hovering over this matchup is the possible debut of Jayden Quaintance, the Arizona State transfer whose arrival alone signals a shift in Kentucky’s ceiling. Video circulating of him exiting the team bus ahead of the St. John’s game hints that his first appearance this season could be imminent. If Quaintance is active, his athleticism, rebounding range, and defensive activity give Kentucky a game-changing element down low—exactly the kind of jolt that stabilizes a team still oscillating between extremes. This is less about one result and more about whether Kentucky starts to look structurally tougher and more connected.

Jayden Quaintance exits bus for St Johns game video courtesy BleedBlueCasy on Twitter

North Carolina Tar Heels vs Ohio State Buckeyes — The Market Undersells the Home Edge

The North Carolina Tar Heels feel undervalued laying only a short number at home against Ohio State Buckeyes. This is a classic situation where perception hasn’t quite caught up to reality. North Carolina has shown a steadiness and physical maturity that doesn’t always pop in headline results but consistently shows up over forty minutes, especially in Chapel Hill. Freshman phenom Caleb Wilson has been the model of consistency, scoring 20 points exactly for the past three consecutive games.

Ohio State has talent and can score in stretches, but the Tar Heels’ ability to control tempo, defend in space, and leverage their home environment creates separation that isn’t always reflected in a tight spread. This feels like a game where North Carolina’s cumulative advantages—experience, structure, and crowd energy—matter more than individual shot-making runs.

Memphis Tigers vs Mississippi State Bulldogs — Two Programs Crossing Paths at a Fork in the Road

Timing is everything in college basketball, and the matchup between the Memphis Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs comes at a revealing moment for both programs. Mississippi State appears to be riding momentum after a meaningful win over Utah, a result that could serve as a confidence anchor as the season sharpens. It could also be an important resume bullet to score a tournament berth.

Memphis, on the other hand, is recalibrating after a loss to Vanderbilt Commodores, a team whose national ranking has validated that result as more than a stumble. Memphis looked like a super athletic scoring machine at times, but also an undisciplined train-wreck at others. In the middle of the first half, they looked dead. Memphis went on a scoring run around the mid-point of the game for a scoring comeback, but ultimately lost in overtime at home. This game reads like a directional check: Mississippi State trending upward with defensive buy-in and toughness, while Memphis searches for consistency after a setback that exposed some fault lines. When teams meet at these crossroads, the side with clarity and momentum often dictates the terms—and right now, Mississippi State looks closer to knowing exactly who it is.

Close-up on College Basketball as Conference Schedules Get Rolling

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After an eventful month plus of non-conference games with important outcomes, the college basketball season is transitioning into conference play where we are looking for the best leagues. As for the nation’s best teams, it feels like a band of heavyweights including Michigan, Arizona, and Duke remain squarely at the top. While Purdue was voted just barely outside of the top 5 in this week’s AP voting, they still remain one of the favorites to win a championship.

BY MATTY D.

There is a cluster of teams just below the top 5 that is intriguing to watch. In this week’s AP Top 25 Poll, Iowa State popped into the top 5, ranking as the 4th best team in the nation. This group also includes potential championship pedigree teams such as UCONN, Houston, and Gonzaga. This weekend I wanted to see another potential title contender from this class. I watched Michigan State struggle to separate itself from Penn State in a sleepy Saturday matinee in Happy Valley.

Sparty struggles with PSU signals what’s to come in conference play nationwide

This is a college basketball season where the cream has risen to the top like none other. The best freshman class of players in a generation were the subject of an arms race where major programs have never had more latitude to spend on their stars because of the NIL. However, despite all of this, the underdog still has a shot between the lines and within the 40 minute game clock.

The Michigan State Spartans took their top 10 national ranking into Penn State to play the first of 20 conference games as a heavy favorite, but the pesky Lions were neck-and-neck. This fight reminded me how the top seeded teams need to be on defense this winter against the rogue underdog. Regardless of how many 5-star athletes you have on your roster, a sleepy matinee can always rock a group of college kids who likely would rather sleep-in, anyway.

Arizona Separates Itself in Superior Stretch Against Offensive Juggernaut Alabama

This was the exact stretch where Arizona showed it isn’t just capable of trading blows with an offensive juggernaut — it knows how to end the fight. In a span of barely two minutes, the Wildcats ripped control away through depth, pressure, and poise. Ivan Kharchenkov set the tone with a steal and layup, Brayden Burries followed with another swipe, and suddenly Arizona was running downhill. Tobe Awaka hammered home a dunk off a Burries assist, and when Alabama tried to breathe, Burries calmly buried a three and then leaked out for a layup on the next possession. That sequence wasn’t about one star going nuclear — it was Arizona flaunting waves of contributors, each doing their job at full speed. Burries, though, was the engine. The #12 recruit in the nation looked every bit the part as a freshman, impacting the game as a scorer, facilitator, and disruptor. This is what separates contenders from pretenders: Arizona didn’t just survive the storm — it overwhelmed Alabama with depth, execution, and the kind of finishing instinct that championship teams develop early.

Other Observations from Outside the Top 10 in the AP Top 25

Nebraska is finally getting its due. The Cornhuskers had already proven their worth with a Feast Week tournament championship, but their undefeated record got another notch on the belt this week with an impressive win at Illinois. Nebraska is now finally in the 15th slot in the national rankings.

Kansas freshman superstar Darryn Peterson returned from injury after missing a few games and the Jayhawks responded. KU defeated NC State as a slight underdog and now maintain their ranking at 17th overall.

Florida already has four losses but somehow survived living in the AP Top 25 at 23rd overall.

Georgia and Virginia debut on the Top 25 for the first time this season, with programs like Kentucky, Clemson, and UCLA finding themselves on the outside looking in.

Exciting Thursday Games: Betting Insights and Predictions for March Madness 2025

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The madness has arrived, and with it comes the challenge of picking winners against the spread. With upsets brewing and lines set to tempt bettors, I’m locking in my best plays for the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The key? Taking value where the market gives it and, in the case of BYU and Michigan, paying a small premium on the money line to avoid sweating the points.

🏆 Final 4 Fan-Favorite Articles:
🔥 Top Injuries to Watch 🔥
🐶 5 Underrated Underdogs to Watch 🐶
🎉 6 March Madness Traditions 🎉
🏀 Sons of NBA Stars 🏀

Creighton (+2.5) vs. Louisville

This game should be an old-fashioned pick ‘em. Both teams have the talent to make a run, and I don’t see a clear favorite here. When that’s the case, I’m gladly taking the 2.5 points with Creighton, knowing they have just as much of a chance to win outright as Louisville.

High Point (+8.5) vs. Purdue

Purdue isn’t a No. 1 seed this year, but they still have the size and experience to be dangerous. That said, High Point is built to cover this spread. Their perimeter shooting and ability to speed up the pace make them a sneaky play at +8.5.

Montana (+16.5) vs. Wisconsin

Wisconsin plays a slow, grinding style, which makes covering a big number like 16.5 tough. Montana should be able to keep this game within reach simply by limiting possessions and playing solid defense.

McNeese State (+7.5) vs. Clemson

McNeese is one of the strongest mid-majors in this tournament, and they match up well against Clemson. Their defense and ability to control the tempo make them a live dog here. I’ll take the 7.5 points with confidence.

BYU (Money Line, -142) vs. VCU

Rather than sweating BYU covering the spread, I’m backing them on the money line at -142. The Cougars have the edge in talent and efficiency, and I trust them to win outright without worrying about VCU sneaking in a late cover.

Georgia (+6.5) vs. Gonzaga

This isn’t the same dominant Gonzaga team we’ve seen in years past. Georgia has the athleticism to keep this one close, and they’re more than capable of hanging within 6.5 points.

Arkansas (+4.5) vs. Kansas

Kansas has been shaky down the stretch, and Arkansas has the athleticism and defensive intensity to make this a dogfight. With Kansas showing inconsistency, I’ll take the Razorbacks and the 4.5 points.

Yale (+7.5) vs. Texas A&M

The Ivy League has a history of bracket-busting, and Yale fits the mold of a team that can make things uncomfortable for a higher seed. Their methodical offense and tough defense should keep this game close, making 7.5 points an easy take.

What makes Yale one of the best overall underdogs in the tournament is their continuity and discipline. The Bulldogs don’t rely on one or two star players; they execute as a unit, making them less susceptible to off-nights from individual performers. They also control tempo exceptionally well, which forces more athletic teams into uncomfortable half-court battles. That’s a nightmare for an opponent like Texas A&M, which thrives in transition. If you’re looking for an underdog with serious long-term value, Yale deserves your attention.

Click here to check out the full top 5 underdogs worth backing for futures!

Drake (+6.5) vs. Missouri

Drake has already proven they can compete with Power Five schools. Missouri has been inconsistent, and this feels like a classic mid-major value pick. I’ll take the points and wouldn’t be shocked if Drake wins outright.

Beyond this game, Drake is one of the best underdog teams in the entire tournament field. The biggest reason? Bennett Stirtz. He’s the smoothest point guard in the country that no one is talking about. The Bulldogs are loaded with talent from the Kansas City area and transfers from Northwest Missouri State, where new head coach Ben McCollum has built a championship-winning culture.

McCollum’s dominance at the Division II level—where he won four national titles and posted an 81.2% career win rate—is a blueprint for success at the Division I level. His system is proven, and now he has the resources and talent to execute it on a larger stage. Expect his winning mentality and attention to detail to make Drake one of the most dangerous low seeds in the entire field.

Click here to see why Drake made my top 5 underdogs for futures!

Michigan (Money Line, -150) vs. UC San Diego

Another spot where I’m avoiding the spread and simply backing Michigan to win outright. UC San Diego is no pushover, but Michigan’s talent gap should be enough to get the job done. I’ll take the money line at -150 rather than sweating a possible tight finish.

UNC Wilmington (+15.5) vs. Texas Tech

Texas Tech can score, but they also allow teams to hang around. UNC Wilmington has the offensive tools to keep this from getting out of hand, making 15.5 points too good to pass up.

This game also has a few key injuries to consider. Click here for our injury tracker.

St. John’s (-18.5) vs. Omaha

St. John’s is built to run teams out of the gym, and Omaha doesn’t have the firepower to keep up. When the Red Storm get rolling, they don’t let up, and I expect this one to be over early. Lay the 18.5 and trust the blowout.

Thursday’s Games with Huge Favorites

There are a handful of Thursday games that I’m passing on simply because the spreads are too outrageous to find real value. These include Auburn vs. Alabama State/Saint Francis, Florida vs. Norfolk State, Duke vs. American/Mount St. Mary’s, Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville, and Tennessee vs. Wofford. These matchups feature top-seeded teams against overmatched opponents, where the favorites are more than capable of running away with the game—but covering a massive number in the first round is always a gamble. While a few of these underdogs might hang around early, there’s too much risk in relying on them to keep it close for 40 minutes or expecting the favorites to stay locked in for a full blowout cover. Sometimes, the best play is no play at all.

Final Thoughts

This tournament is full of value plays, and I’m taking a mix of live underdogs and sharp money line bets to maximize profit potential. BYU and Michigan are worth paying a small premium to avoid the spread, while teams like Drake, Yale, and McNeese could all exceed expectations. If you’re looking for underdogs that can make a deep run, check out the full list of the top 5 underdogs for futures bets!