UFC Vegas 70: Krylov vs. Spann Picks
February 24, 2023
College Basketball Parlay Picks for Sunday, February 26, 2023
February 24, 2023
We’ve already built our portfolio of teams we think have a shot to cut down the nets throughout the regular season. It’s never easy pinpointing the lone winner be it betting the futures odds or filling out a bracket the night of Selection Sunday. BetRivers Sportsbook is fully aware of that, so it decided to open up an entirely new market that’s caught traction over the last few seasons. I never really got involved with investing on the Final Four odds in the past, but will do so this season after watching my Duke and Villanova tickets go up in flames in the semis last year.
The following are teams I believe have a shot to win it all, so why not hedge some of those futures bets already locked in with some fliers on teams to be one of the last four standing?
Bet Final Four Odds at BetRivers Sportsbook
Kansas Jayhawks +230
While darn near close to impossible to win it all in back-to-back seasons, the Kansas Jayhawks look to be a team that could pull off the feat. It’s pretty incredible when you think about it considering Bill Self lost 70 percent of his scoring output from last year’s title team. Jalen Wilson would be in line for the Wooden Award if not for Zach Edey, and freshman Gradey Dick has taken his game to a new level in recent weeks. I haven’t purchased any KU stock to win it all, but will take a stab at the team putting itself in a position to possibly repeat.
UConn Huskies +550
Better than a 5-1 return on investment on the team analytic sites like KenPom have rated higher than any other team in the Big East regardless of currently residing in fifth place? Yeah, I’ll buy that for a dollar! I’m honestly not sure there’s a team in the country that can handle the UConn Huskies “A” game when healthy and firing on all cylinders. That’s exactly the case for Adama Sanogo and Co. right now with the club streaking. Look out if this team goes into the Dance as a No. 5 seed as currently suggested by ESPN Bracketology!
St. Mary’s Gaels +750
If you’ve been following my stuff since the outset of the regular season, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Randy Bennett’s Gaels this season. I’ve already got an 80-1 ticket to win it all in my futures portfolio, and will gladly take a stab at this offering just in case the team flames out under the pressure. I don’t think it will as this year’s Gaels looks to be a few cuts above prior versions. What sets it apart is the excelled guard play spearheaded by frosh Aidan Mahaney. The improved offense paired with one of the nation’s nastiest defense has me buying what St. Mary’s is selling!
Northwestern Wildcats +3500
Why not? The job Chris Collins and his staff have done in Evanston since arriving back in 2013 is simply astounding. He got Northwestern to the Dance in just his fourth season, and is a lock to go back this year with the Wildcats the surprise entrant in the Big 10. I love the experience on this roster with the guard trio comprised of Boo Buie, Chase Audige, and Ty Berry. That Brooks Barnhizer looks to be a keeper as well! Crazy things occur in the tourney year in and year out – remember St. Peter’s of a year ago? Why not Northwestern?!
Texas Tech Red Raiders +8000
The Red Raiders were expected to be players in the Big 12 at the season’s outset evidenced by their 8-1 rate of return to win it behind only Texas, Kansas, and Baylor. Due to injury and a myriad of new faces, Mark Adams’ kids struggled to find much of any traction early on. That however hasn’t been the case of late with the team logging four straight wins while covering the CBB odds in seven of the last eight. The offense has finally started to take off with Kevin Obanor and De’Vion Harmon leading the charge. I foresee a run being made in the Big 12 tourney that ultimately gets them in – Don’t sleep on this team!
Wisconsin Badgers +15000
This one’s a tough sell; I get it. However, the DNA is there for Wisconsin to come from out of nowhere to bust brackets in a huge way should it ultimately get invited to the Dance. As it stands right now, Greg Gard’s squad is the last team in according to Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology. I really like what I’ve seen from this team in recent weeks with the defense clamping down and the offense doing just enough. Freshman Connor Essegian has made a huge impact recently, while Tyler Wahl looks to be fully recovered from the ankle injury suffered in early January. It might not be pretty, but it’s becoming effective. Now healthy, Wiscy is a team to watch that deserves a throw of the dart just in case this end-season run is for real.
