by ASA, Inc.
Friday, Mar 12, 2021In 1985 the NCAA expanded its basketball tournament to allow 64 teams into the field. Since then, no team higher than an 8 seed has won the championship and over half of the winners came from number 1 seeds. That is not surprising considering again this year that any of the top 10 teams in the nation feel like they have a legitimate chance to make it all the way. Any team outside the top 25 historically has almost no chance to win the tournament, so a team that could have great return on investment is Texas Tech (+4500) found at BookMaker.
The Red Raiders were runners-up the last time the tournament took place so coach Chris Beard knows what buttons to push to get his guys playing their best. Back court play is critical in the big dance and Texas Tech has three guards averaging double figures on the season. Terrance Shannon and Kyler Edwards can fill it up but Mac McClung leads the way averaging 16 ppg. His energy and emotion are what drive this team and make them must-watch TV. Mac mania could pave the way for another Texas Tech Final Four run and set the college basketball world on fire.
Big 12 Teams in National Rankings + National Championship Odds (BookMaker)
2. Baylor +425
10. West Virginia +2600
11. Kansas +3600
12. Oklahoma St +4300
13. Texas +4000
20. Texas Tech +4500
25. Oklahoma +8500
The Big 12 was an absolute gauntlet this season, and it has five teams ranked ahead of Texas Tech. The Big 12 tournament will had some great matchups and Tech lost 67-66 opener vs Texas despite holding a 10 point lead in the 2nd half. Now they rest up and get ready for the Big Dance. For +4500 return on investment the former runners-up pose some of the best odds for a team we feel has a legitimate shot to get to the 2nd weekend and potential the Final 4. And, at 45/1, the opportunity to hedge if the Red Raiders get into the Elite 8 will be fantastic.
