American (+120) Fractional (6/5) Decimal (2.20)
Eastern Time Central Time Mountain Time Pacific Time
Help Center

2018 March Madness Betting Predictions for Five Bubble Teams

Written by on February 16, 2018

NCAA Basketball Betting News
The teams currently occupying the top 25 at this stage of the college basketball season can probably count themselves as being in the tournament. It would take a total collapse of the teams in that group for them to miss out, which might, in turn, open the door for teams currently on the bubble. That is arguably the worst place to be, as every game you play takes on a stunning level of importance. That said, bubble teams end up feeling as though they are in a playoff game every single night coming down the stretch, so they often go into the tournament already in postseason mode, which eventually can increase their March Madness betting odds to win it all. There are a lot of teams on the bubble right now, but for the purposes of this piece, we are going to focus on the Power 5 Conferences and make some NCAA Basketball betting picks as to who might get in.

2018 March Madness Betting Predictions for Five Bubble Teams

Betting Trends & Stats That Could Help Predict 2018 March Madness

ACC Bubble Battle

Of the teams on the bubble in this conference, it is North Carolina State and the Virginia Tech Hokies who seem most likely to get into the tournament. The Hokies lost to Duke last time out but beat Virginia, one of the top teams in the latest NCAAB Rankings, the game prior to that one. They have Georgia Tech on the road this weekend, as well as 2 more games against ranked opponents still to come. Take 2 of those 3 and they are in. NC State has an easier finish to the season but probably still need 3 or 4 wins from their last 5 to get in.

Big 10 Bubble Battle

It’s often how you finish the season that counts in sports, which is why the bubble picture in the Big 10 Conference is clearer than most. The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into this weekend on a 6-game winning streak, which may well be enough to get them off the bubble and into the tournament. Penn State has won 4 in a row and cannot be ignored either.

Big 12 Bubble Battle

TCU, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State are the bubble teams here, and a clear favorite is emerging among the three. Kansas State just took out the Cowboys to help their cause in their last game, while TCU has now lost 4 of their last 6. The Wildcats face TCU in the second last season, and also have a game against ranked Oklahoma still to come. They can still play their way in with a strong finish to the season.

PAC 12 Bubble Battle

The Arizona State Sun Devils may well drop out of the top 25 after losing to Arizona earlier in the week, which could put them on the bubble with USC and UCLA. The good news for the Sun Devils is that they beat both of those teams in back to back games last week, so they still have the edge. Arizona State could become one of the 2018 March Madness Betting dark horses. USC and UCLA have a similar strength of schedule to close out the season, and will face each other in the final game, which may end up being the equivalent of a play-in game.

SEC Bubble Battle

The Missouri Tigers have essentially played themselves into the tournament by winning each of their last 5 games, which would appear to leave Alabama and Arkansas on the bubble. Alabama has a better conference record, but the Razorbacks have momentum on their side, winning each of their last 3 games to get to 18 wins on the season. If Arkansas can beat Alabama next week and put in a solid showing against ranked Auburn, they should be in.

Last 10 NCAA Basketball Champions

  • 2017: North Carolina
  • 2016: Villanova
  • 2015: Duke
  • 2014: Connecticut
  • 2013: Louisville
  • 2012: Kentucky
  • 2011: Connecticut
  • 2010: Duke
  • 2009: North Carolina
  • 2008: Kansas
Help Center