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March Madness Tournament Betting Strategies
March Madness is the time of the year when the seasonal bettors come out of the shadows each spring only to return to their caves until football kicks off again. As we always remind basketball betting enthusiasts, so often going against "conventional wisdom" is the way to win, rather than going broke eating chalk like all of your friends.
In many cases what wins money during the regular season will prove advantageous for march madness tournament betting, but there are also many more angles available for winning plays during the NCAA tournament betting season.
Pit the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee Against the Oddsmakers
In first round games involving seeds 5 through 12, we typically like to take the underdog and the points. Often times the oddsmakers, realizing the college basketball betting publics pension for betting favorites often time place a great value on the lower seeded team. Cash in on it.
Emotion in Short Run, Talent in the Long Run
Ever notice how a LOT of 15 and 16 seeds seem to "hang around" for at least the first half? We like to bet the number 16 seed in the first half on the halftime lines, and then take the favorite in the second half of these games. Generally, the bottom seeds involve teams playing in the biggest game of their young lives. The seniors on the team are playing in their final game for their alma mater, and for a select few, the game will provide a stage for them to showcase their talents for NBA scouts.
Beware of the "Guards Dominate" Trap
The simple fact is that there are a lot more guards out there than there are centers. Therefore, simply based on pure "law of averages", there will be more guard-oriented teams advancing. The teams that have better big men are the teams that will have biggest mismatches-literally and figuratively.
Don't Get all Sentimental for the Seniors
It's simple really: teams with the best players win. The best players generally do not stay until their senior year, thus the best teams are not senior laden. This indisputable truth is becoming more so every year. I will take the team with talent over the team with experience. In fact, be leery of senior-laden favorites over a young team with a bigger upside and nothing to lose.
The theory is that playing in one's last collegiate game can inspire a close-knit underdog group of seniors to claw to the end, but I would much rather invest in a team like Arizona, short on postseason familiarity but long on ability.
Avoid Betting Every Game
When it comes to march madness tournament betting, do not feel that you have to bet whatever "regional" game is being televised in your area. Go to a sports bar to watch all the games. Get out and enjoy yourself and the frenzy that comes with everybody enjoying the tournament and the March Madness betting that accompanies it. Keep in mind that even those in weak-ass office pools are still involved in a form of March Madness betting. Plus if you choose the sports bar option, you may get Final Four caliber waitress. Just do not let the wife know.
Only Bet on Teams you are Familiar With
Don't bet just to be betting. Try to stick with teams from your area or that are members of a conference that you follow closely. There are 32 games in the first round alone, so avoid the feeling that you need to handicap all 32. Remember, march madness betting is different from office pools in that you need to find good value teams to bet on, not pick the winner of every game.
There Is value in Hard-Nosed Defensive Teams
Two old adages always seem to play out during tournament time. Defense wins championships. And, "if they can't score, they can't beat you". When handicapping the games, take a moment to look at each teams' "opponent's field goal percentage". More often than not, the team that consistently makes it hard for their opponents to get quality looks at the basket typically are also strong plays.
Other March Madness Tournament Betting Tips:
Watch for late-season momentum.
Check the point guard play.
The coach. Someone who has "been there, done that" in past tournaments is a major resource.
Teams need a scorer who can create his own shots and points.
The quality and depth of a squad's bench is important.
Team experience is almost always crucial to march madness betting.
Don't overlook favorable travel and playing sites.
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