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Upset Betting Predictions for 2018 March Madness.

Upset Betting Predictions for 2018 March Madness

Written by on February 19, 2018

NCAA Basketball Betting News
If you’re a college basketball betting buff that is starting to identify teams that could have some legitimate ‘Cinderella Value’ heading into this season’s 2018 March Madness national championship, then you’ve come to the right place collegiate roundball betting buffs! Thanks to the expert analysis that you’re about to get on five ‘under the radar’ teams, you’re going to get the insight you’ll need in order to find out just which ballclubs could go from ‘ugly’ step-sisters to beautiful Cinderellas that everyone wants to take home. Since haste makes waste, let’s rock and roll people.

Upset Betting Predictions for 2018 March Madness

  • Season: 2017–18
  • Begins: March 13th
  • Ends: April 2nd
  • Teams: 68
  • TV: CBS, TBS, TNT
  • Live Streaming: MM Live
  • Finals Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Notre Dame (16-11)

Say what you like about Notre Dame – and yes, I know they’ve struggled mightily at times this season, but the fact of the matter is that the Fighting Irish generally turns into an extremely tough team to beat the closer they get to March Madness every year under head coach Mike Brey. Notre Dame averages a respectable 76.1 points per game (112t) but they’re even better at the defensive end of the floor (68.7 ppg, 81st). If the Irish get into the March Madness field, I say, watch out! While swingman Bonzie Colson (21.4 ppg) has been limited to just 14 games this season because of injuries, lest anyone forget, Colson is a superstar that will be playing at the next level a year from now!

Complete Team Statistics

  • Average Score For: 76.41
  • Offensive rebounds: 10.26
  • Offensive Field Goal Percentage: 45.37
  • Average Score Against: 68.59
  • Defensive rebounds: 25.44
  • Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 42.74

St. John’s (14-13)

Right about now, I’m like, ‘who freakin’ cares that St. John’s once lost 11 straight games this season! The Red Storm have won four straight at the time of this writing, including consecutive wins over then, No. 5 Duke and No. 1 Villanova. Sure, they lost to Butler by 25, but they also played Nova close in their other meeting this season (78-71) and current No. 4 Xavier (88-82) while narrowly falling to Creighton 68-63 and Xavier again (73-68). The fact of the matter is that right now, St. John’s can literally beat any team in the country – and oh, if you didn’t know, Shamorie Ponds has got some serious game (21.6 ppg).

Complete Team Statistics

  • Average Score For: 73.52
  • Offensive rebounds: 9.33
  • Offensive Field Goal Percentage: 43.23
  • Average Score Against: 71.74
  • Defensive rebounds: 24.67
  • Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 41.65

Florida Gulf Coast (20-9)

If the name of Florida Gulf Coast sounds familiar, it should, seeing as how the Eagles already made one Cinderella run back in 2013 as a No. 15 seed. This season, Florida Gulf Coast has the look of a team that could well make it two deep tourney runs despite their status as a mid-major team going up against the Big Boys! The Eagles can score the ball with the best teams in the nation (80.3 ppg, 45th) and they have a big-time leader in senior point guard Brandon Goodwin (17.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.8 apg). Florida Gulf Coast has flaws, but they can shoot the lights out and that could mean another Cinderella run this coming March Madness.

Complete Team Statistics

  • Points Per Game: 80.5
  • Rebounds Per Game: 38.5
  • Assists Per Game: 15.1
  • Points Allowed: 70.6

Penn State (19-10)

The Nittany Lions are a fantastic defensive team that limits the opposition to just 66.0 points per game (36th) while averaging just over 10 points per game more than they allow defensively (76.2 ppg). Penn State looks like a good upset pick for 2018 March Madness. Penn State has beaten top 10 Ohio State twice this season (damn) and that alone should tell you they can beat anyone on any given day, even though they’ve suffered some mystifying losses like their 71-70 loss to lowly Rider and 70-61 loss to Northwestern. Still, I see Cinderella value all around the Nittany Lions!

Complete Team Statistics

  • Average Score For: 76.07
  • Offensive rebounds: 10.55
  • Offensive Field Goal Percentage: 47.40
  • Average Score Against: 66.34
  • Defensive rebounds: 25.31
  • Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 42.08

Western Kentucky (20-7)

The Hilltoppers beat previously No. 3 Purdue 77-73 and almost beat previous, No. 1 Villanova before falling 66-58 and that alone should tell you they can beat any team in the nation! Western Kentucky has a nice mix of youth and veteran leadership – and is extremely well-balanced with five players that average double figures in scoring.

Complete Team Statistics

  • Average Score For: 78.74
  • Offensive rebounds: 9.37
  • Offensive Field Goal Percentage: 49.67
  • Average Score Against: 70.07
  • Defensive rebounds: 26.15
  • Defensive Field Goal Percentage: 42.39
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