Can Any Non-Power Conference Teams Win the National Title?

How to Bet on March Madness Bracket: A Step-by-Step Guide

Betting on the March Madness bracket is a thrilling way to engage with one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, understanding how to approach March Madness bracket betting can increase your chances of success. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started:

1. Understand the Basics of the March Madness Bracket

• March Madness is the annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, featuring 68 teams battling it out for the national championship. The bracket is a visual map of the tournament, with matchups for each round.
• The bracket is divided into four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest. Teams are seeded within these regions based on their regular season performance, with the higher-seeded teams usually considered favorites.
• Your goal is to correctly predict the outcome of each game and advance teams through the bracket.

2. Types of Bets You Can Place

• Moneyline Bets:
  This is the simplest form of betting where you choose which team will win a specific matchup.
  The odds are typically listed with a plus or minus sign (e.g., -200 for the favorite, +150 for the underdog).
• Point Spread Bets:
  In point spread betting, a handicap is applied to even the odds.
  If a team is favored by a certain number of points (e.g., -5), they must win by more than that number for your bet to be successful.
• Over/Under (Total Points) Bets:
  This is a bet on the combined total points scored by both teams in a game.
  The sportsbook sets a line, and you decide whether the actual total will be higher (over) or lower (under).
• Futures Bets:
  A future bet allows you to wager on outcomes that will happen later in the tournament.
  For example, betting on which team will win the National Championship before the tournament begins.
• Prop Bets:
  These are specific bets on individual player performances or game events (e.g., “Will a team make more than 10 three-pointers in a game?”).

3. Filling Out Your Bracket

• Research Teams:
  While it’s tempting to pick your favorite team or go with the higher-seeded teams, upsets are common in March Madness.
  Do some research into each team’s strengths, weaknesses, injuries, and momentum leading into the tournament.
• Look for Upsets:
  Historically, lower-seeded teams (like 12-seeds over 5-seeds) have had surprising success in the tournament.
  Betting on a few upsets might be risky, but it can make your bracket more interesting and rewarding if it pays off.
• Focus on Matchups:
  Pay attention to team styles of play.
  For example, if a lower-seeded team excels at three-point shooting and their opponent struggles to defend the perimeter, this could be a valuable factor when making your picks.

4. Researching Odds and Lines

• Understand Line Movement:
  Sportsbooks may adjust the odds as money comes in on either side.
  Be aware of how the line moves leading up to the game, as this could affect your betting strategy.
• Look for Value Bets:
  If the odds are more favorable for one team than another, or if you notice a trend of betting against the grain, this could indicate an opportunity to find value in a bet.

5. Managing Your Bankroll

• Set a Budget:
  Betting on the March Madness bracket can be exciting, but it’s important to set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend.
  Only bet what you can afford to lose.
• Don’t Chase Losses:
  If you’re on a losing streak, don’t go overboard trying to win back your losses.
  Stick to your plan and bet responsibly.

6. Where to Bet

• Online Sportsbooks:
  The most convenient way to bet on March Madness is through online sportsbooks like MyBookie Sportsbook: This platform offer various betting options, including individual game bets and bracket pools.
• Physical Sportsbooks:
  In states where sports betting is legal, you can also place bets at land-based casinos or sportsbooks.
• Bracket Pools:
  Many people join informal bracket pools where participants fill out their picks, and the winner is determined based on the most accurate bracket.
  These are usually done with friends, family, or coworkers and may involve a cash prize.

7. Tips for Betting on March Madness

• Stay Updated on Injuries:
  Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team’s performance. Make sure to stay updated on player conditions and how they might affect matchups.
• Avoid Betting on Every Game:
  Focus on key matchups where you feel confident. Betting on every game can spread your bankroll too thin and reduce your chances of winning.
• Use Expert Analysis:
  Reading up on expert predictions, analysis, and betting tips can give you an edge when making your March Madness bracket picks.

8. Signing Up for MyBookie

• MyBookie, like many sportsbooks offer sign-up bonuses, free bets, or deposit matches when you create a new account. Take advantage of these promotions to increase your bankroll.
• Create an Account: Choose a sportsbook with competitive odds and a user-friendly interface. Sign up, deposit funds, and start making your picks!

Closing Thoughts

Betting on the March Madness bracket can be a fun and engaging way to follow the tournament, but it requires research, strategy, and discipline. While a perfect bracket is nearly impossible, you can still increase your chances of success by making informed bets and focusing on the matchups that offer the most value.

So, don’t miss out! Bet on March Madness bracket today, and get access to expert tips, real-time odds, and all the excitement of the tournament with your march madness betting bracket. Sign up now to start making your picks!

Previous Betting News

No team from outside a current power conference has won a national championship in college basketball since UNLV in 1990, but that drought could end come April. Here are the only schools with a realistic shot and their NCAAB odds. We are not including Dayton as we looked at the Flyers’ chances on Thursday here at Mybookie College Basketball Odds.

NCAAB: Can Any Non-Power Conference Teams Win National Title?

Gonzaga (+650)

Gonzaga should be a No. 1 seed in the NCAAB Tournament after winning yet another West Coast Conference Tournament title this week – the Zags lost just one conference game all season and two overall. The other loss was around Thanksgiving at a neutral site against Michigan. The Zags also won 2019-20 West Coast Conference regular season outright, their eighth straight regular season title and 23rd overall in program history. Gonzaga beat conference opponents by an average of 20.1 points this season during league play.

Coach Mark Few has the best offensive team in the country, and the Zags can fill it up from multiple spots. No team can go to as many players to score. The Zags are the lone team in the nation to have six players averaging double-digit scoring per game, with a seventh scoring 9.6 points per outing. But Gonzaga is not a great defensive team, and really good offenses can put up points against the Zags.

Filip Petrusev was named WCC Player of the Year. Petrusev averages a team-high 17.8 points per game, which ranks third in the West Coast Conference. He tops the league shooting 56.5 percent from the field. The sophomore is second in the WCC grabbing 7.8 rebounds per game, 5.4 defensive boards per game (third in WCC) and 2.4 offensive rebounds per game (fourth in WCC). He is ninth blocking 0.8 shots each game. Petrusev draws 7.8 fouls per 40 minutes, which is the third-most in the nation.

Corey Kispert and Killian Tillie joined Petrusev as All-WCC First Team selections. Kispert is 11th in the league in points per game (14.3) and ninth in minutes played per game (32.9). He leads the team in free-throw percentage (.818). Tillie led the league in field goal percentage during WCC play (58.0). He averaged 15.1 points in conference action, and 13.6 points overall.

Petrusev, Kispert and Tillie all are finalists for national Player of the Year Awards at their position.  Joel Ayayi and Ryan Woolridge were tabbed honorable mention All-Conference, and Drew Timme was named to the All-Freshman team.

GU is the only program in the nation to have reached 30 wins in each of the past four seasons.

San Diego State (+1300)

San Diego State, which was the last team in the nation to lose this season (Feb. 22 vs. UNLV) likely lost its chance at the school’s first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAAB Tournament with a 59-56 upset loss to Utah State in the Mountain West Tournament title game last Saturday. The Aggies’ Sam Merrill hit a contested 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds to play.

The Aztecs (30-2), who led by as many 16 points in the first half, had a chance to force overtime, but Malachi Flynn’s 3-point shot from just beyond half court rattled in and out at the buzzer. Utah State dropped both regular-season meetings to San Diego State, losing 77-68 at home and 80-68 on the road.

This is the best San Diego State team since Kawhi Leonard led the Aztecs to the Sweet 16 in 2010-11. Can this team go further than that one? The metrics say yes. SDSU is top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Most likely, SDSU will be a No. 2 seed in the West Region for the NCAAB Tournament.

San Diego State’s 30-2 start ties its best 32-game record in school history. San Diego State is 16-1 in road/neutral games this season, which is very important for the NCAA Tournament. San Diego State is 5-1 in neutral court games this season, including wins over Creighton, Iowa and Utah State. SDSU is 11-1 in NCAA NET Quadrant 1 and 2 games this season, with 11 of those victories coming away from home

Flynn is the team’s star and is the first Aztecs player to be recognized as an All-American since Xavier Thames in 2014. Flynn finished the regular season averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 44.7 percent from the floor, 37.2 percent from long range and 85.7 percent from the line.

The junior guard ranks seventh on the program’s single season scoring list with 564 points.  In addition, he is 4th in free throw percentage (87.5 percent), 6th in three point attempts (204), 7th in assists (163), 8th in three-pointers (76), 9th in points-rebounds-assists (870), 15th in field goal attempts (417), 18th in scoring average (17.6/g) and assists (163), and 23rd in field goals (184) and free throws (120).

Flynn was named Mountain West Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and is on several National Player of the Year lists.