Ricky Dimon
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Selection Sunday just put the exclamation point on a fun week of March Madness in which automatic bids were handed out to conference tournament champions. We also know the at-large qualifiers for the NCAA Tournament as the committee has announced its much-anticipated field of 68. With that, arguably the best 3 weeks on the annual sports calendar are ready to tip-off.
Let’s quickly discuss what the 2024 Big Dance may have to offer in addition to providing you with the full tournament schedule. Make sure you keep an eye on our college basketball picks where we’ll have predictions for every single game in the NCAA Tournament.
March Madness 2024 odds after Selection Sunday
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
- UConn +400
- Houston +600
- Purdue +700
- Arizona +1500
- North Carolina +1600
- Tennessee +1600
- Creighton +2000
- Auburn +2000
- Marquette +2100
- Iowa State +2300
- Kentucky +3000
- Illinois +3000
- Alabama +3500
- Kansas +3500
- Baylor +3500
- Duke +4000
- BYU +5000
- Wisconsin +6000
- Michigan State +6000
- Gonzaga +6000
- Saint Mary’s +6000
- Florida +8000
- San Diego State +8000
- New Mexico +8000
- Texas +10000
- Texas Tech +10000
- Nebraska +10000
40 teams have odds of 100/1 or higher.
NCAA Tournament East Region breakdown and prediction
This region is absolutely loaded, with the #1 overall seed and defending champion (UConn), last year’s runner-up (San Diego State), the Big 12 Tournament champion (Iowa State) and the SEC Tournament champion (Auburn) all in this quarter. I have UConn in my bracket, but the value is on a red-hot Auburn squad to advance to the Final Four.
Best Bet: Auburn (+500)
NCAA Tournament West Region breakdown and prediction
North Carolina and Arizona are without question the cream of the crop in the West. When the #1 seed (UNC) is significantly behind the #2 (Arizona) when it comes to futures odds, you know where to find the value. If the region championship comes down to the Caleb Love Bowl, I’m rolling with the Tar Heels.
Best bet: North Carolina (+350)
NCAA Tournament South Region breakdown and prediction
Given how many national media members are on the Kentucky bandwagon, it’s only a matter of time before the Wildcats’ odds come down from +850 to win the South. Jump on them while you can, because from a talent perspective, they have a chance to win it all. #1 Houston and #2 Marquette cannot be discounted, but Big Blue is the value play at long odds.
Best bet: Kentucky (+850)
NCAA Tournament Midwest Region breakdown and prediction
I’m staying on the SEC train in this region, as Tennessee appears to have a nice path to the Final Four as the #2 seed behind #1 Purdue. I’m not a big believer in the Boilermakers after what I saw from them in the 2023 NCAA Tournament (lost to #16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson). Rocky Top!
Best bet: Tennessee (+350)
March Madness Dates 2024
First Four: March 19-20 (Dayton, Ohio)
First Round: March 21-22
- Thursday, March 21 (Charlotte, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City)
- Friday, March 22 (Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Memphis, Spokane)
Second Round: March 23-24
- Saturday, March 23 (Charlotte, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City)
- Sunday, March 24 (Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Memphis, Spokane)
Sweet 16: March 28-29
- West Regional in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 28
- East Regional in Boston on Thursday, March 28
- Midwest Regional in Detroit on Friday, March 29
- South Regional in Dallas on Friday, March 29
Elite Eight: March 30-31
- West Regional in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 30
- East Regional in Boston on Saturday, March 30
- Midwest Regional in Detroit on Sunday, March 31
- South Regional in Dallas on Sunday, March 31
Final Four (semifinals): April 6 in Glendale, Arizona
National Championship: April 8 in Glendale, Arizona
March Madness NCAA Tournament Schedule 2024
March Madness First Round Schedule
March 21 – Charlotte, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City
March 22 – Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Memphis, Spokane
March Madness Second Round Schedule
March 23 – Charlotte, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City
March 24 – Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Memphis, Spokane
March Madness Sweet Sixteen Schedule
March 28 – Boston, Los Angeles
March 29 – Dallas, Detroit
March Madness Elite Eight Schedule
March 30 – Boston, Los Angeles (TBS)
March 31 – Dallas, Detroit (CBS)
March Madness Final Four Schedule
April 6 (semifinals) – Glendale, Arizona
*Game 1 – 6:09 pm ET (TBS)
*Game 2 – 8:49 pm ET (TBS)
April 8 (National Championship) – Glendale, Arizona, 9:20 pm CBS
