After a year without the NCAA tournament, the 2021 men’s basketball showcased plenty of upsets during the first weekend. It is now down to 16 teams and we have you covered with all the lines, and we will be updating and tracking the action as it comes.
All lines, futures and splits courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of 1p Thursday
Saturday’s games
12. Oregon State Beavers vs. 8. Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Opening line: Loyola Chicago -6.5, 125.5
Thursday line: Loyola Chicago -6.5, 125.5
Notes: Oregon State has won five straight games, all as an underdog. The Beavers are the fifth team in the last 25 years to win at least five NCAA/conference tournament games as an underdog.
Tickets: 62 pct Oregon State
Money: 51 pct Loyola Chicago
5. Villanova Wildcats vs. 1. Baylor Bears
Opening line: Baylor -6.5, 140.5
Thursday line: Baylor -7, 141.5
Notes: Villanova is a 6.5-point underdog against Baylor. Since Big East realignment in 2013-14, the only other time Villanova has been at least a 6-point underdog was Dec. 15, 2018 at Kansas (+7.5, lost by 3).
Tickets: 73 pct Baylor
Money: 58 pct Baylor
1 Related
15. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. 3. Arkansas Razorbacks
Opening line: Arkansas -11.5, 159.5
Thursday line: Arkansas -11, 159
Notes: Oral Roberts is currently an 11-point underdog against Arkansas. An Oral Roberts win would be the fifth double-digit upset in the Sweet 16 or later since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Tickets: 74 pct Oral Roberts
Money: 68 pct Oral Roberts
11. Syracuse Orange vs. 2. Houston Cougars
Opening line: Houston -6, 140
Thursday line: Houston -6, 140
Notes: Syracuse is an underdog for the third straight game on Saturday against Houston. Syracuse has won 17 games as an underdog, the most by any team since the NCAA tournament expanded in 1985.
Tickets: 70 pct Syracuse
Money: 76 pct Syracuse
Sunday’s games
5. Creighton Bluejays vs. 1. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Opening line: Gonzaga -13.5, 158.5
Thursday line: Gonzaga -13.5, 158
Notes: Gonzaga (+150) is the biggest favorite entering the Sweet 16 since 2015 Kentucky (+110) The Wildcats did not win the title that year.
Tickets: 70 pct Gonzaga
Money: 79 pct Gonzaga
4. Florida State Seminoles vs. 1. Michigan Wolverines
Opening line: Michigan -3, 144
Thursday line: Michigan -2.5, 143.5
Notes: Since the start of last season, Florida State is 8-0 ATS against ranked opponents (7-1 outright). The Seminoles are 3-0 outright and ATS this season.
Tickets: 59 pct Michigan
Money: 68 pct Michigan
11. ULCA Bruins vs. 2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Opening line: Alabama -6, 145
Thursday line: Alabama -6.5, 145.5
Notes: UCLA is 3-0 ATS in the NCAA Tournament, including two outright wins as an underdog.
Tickets: 64 pct Alabama
Money: 76 pct Alabama
7. Oregon Ducks vs. 6. USC Trojans
Opening line: USC -2.5, 139
Friday line: USC -2.5, 139
Notes: Andy Enfield is 9-0 ATS in his NCAA Tournament career. The previous record for most consecutive games covered to begin a NCAA Tournament coaching career since 1985 was seven (Kevin Ollie). Dana Altman is 16-4 ATS in the NCAA Tournament at Oregon, including 4-0 ATS in the Sweet 16.
Tickets: 51 pct Oregon
Money: 56 pct USC
Odds to win NCAA Tournament
Odds as of Wednesday
Gonzaga Bulldogs +150
Baylor Bears 4-1
Michigan Wolverines 7-1
Houston Cougars 9-1
Alabama Crimson Tide 12-1
Loyola Chicago Ramblers 14-1
Arkansas Razorbacks 20-1
Florida State Seminoles 20-1
USC Trojans 25-1
Oregon Ducks 30-1
Villanova Wildcats 30-1
Creighton Bluejays 40-1
UCLA Bruins 50-1
Syracuse Orange 60-1
Oregon State Beavers 60-1
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles 125-1
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