NCAA Tournament Odds: Betting lines released for all West Region Games
The latest edition of March Madness is officially ready to kick off following Selection Sunday, with the entire 64-team field set for the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The West Region of this year’s NCAA Tournament is loaded with some of the nation’s top teams. With conference champions, potential Cinderella teams, and several of the most prominent brands in college basketball squaring off for a chance to advance to the Final Four.
This year’s national champion could potentially come out of the West, but it will all start in the first round of action. Here are the opening betting lines presented by FanDuel for each of the first-round matchups in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament.
(16) Howard -2.5 vs. (16) Wagner
The Howard Bison and Wagner Seahawks will square off in a First Four matchup on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. With the winner securing the 16 seed in the West Region and a matchup with the No. 1-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels.
Howard opens up as narrow 2.5-point favorites over Wagner after winning the MEAC Tournament. Wagner also took care of business in the Northeast Conference Tournament, as both teams will look to carry their conference tournament momentum into the NCAA Tournament despite not winning 10 conference games during the regular season.
(2) Arizona -19.5 vs. (15) Long Beach State
Arizona opens up as heavy favorites as the No. 2 seed in the West. Favored by nearly 20 points over Big West Tournament Champion Long Beach State.
Many expected the Wildcats to be a potential top seed after ending the regular season 24-7, but were derailed by a Pac-12 Tournament semifinal loss to Oregon. As they’ll look to avoid another upset loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after falling to Princeton last year in shocking fashion.
(3) Baylor -13.5 vs. (14) Colgate
The Baylor Bears are also double-digit favorites in their first-round matchup after falling in the semifinals of their conference tournament. As they’ll take on a Colgate team that took home the Patriot League regular season and tournament title this season.
This matchup will surely be a contrast of styles after the Bears averaged 80.5 points per game this season, ranking second in the Big 12. Meanwhile Colgate boasts one of the strongest defenses in the country this season, holding opponents to just 63.2 points per game which ranks No. 11 across college basketball.
(4) Alabama -10.5 vs. (13) Charleston
Alabama makes their fourth straight tournament appearance in their fifth season under head coach Nate Oats. But don’t sleep on the Cougars, who arrive at the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season after being knocked out by national champion runner-up San Diego State last season (who also eliminated the Crimson Tide).
This matchup has all the makings of a classic March Madness shootout, with Alabama leading the nation in scoring at 90.8 points per game and Charleston posting an impressive 80.5 points per game. As each also don’t rank within the top 200 in scoring defense this season across college basketball.
(5) Saint Marry’s -4.5 vs. (12) Grand Canyon
The No. 5 versus No. 12 matchup in the West Region is one of the strongest on the slate. Featuring Saint Marry’s and Grand Canyon teams that each won their regular season and tournament championships for their respective conferences.
The Gaels have become a staple in the NCAA Tournament lately securing their third straight bid. Favored over Grand Canyon after ranking No. 2 in the entire country in scoring defense this season, only training Houston as the held opponents to just 58.7 points per game this year.
(6) Clemson vs. (11) New Mexico -2.5
Clemson may hail from the strong ACC known for their basketball prowess. But they enter their first-round matchup as underdogs to the No. 11 seed New Mexico Lobos.
New Mexico ended the regular season ranked No. 6 in the Mountain West standings, but a caught fire at the right time to win their conference tournament. Meanwhile the Tigers boast some of the most impressive wins in the nation this season defeating tournament teams like UAB, South Carolina, TCU, and even North Carolina and Alabama within the West Region.
(7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada -1.5
Fan Duel expects very narrow margins of victory in the two remaining first-round matchups of the West Region starting with Dayton versus Nevada. Two teams who have plenty in common.
Both squads failed to win their conference tournament games after losing in the quarterfinal round, but also boast strong defenses holding opponents to under 70 points per game. But Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year DaRon Holmes II for Dayton could surely be an X-Factor and the biggest difference maker in the matchup.
(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State -1.5
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo does it yet again. As he’s led the Spartans to their 26th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, entering as slight favorites over Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs on the other hand will look to bounce back after being eliminated from the First Four in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Turning some heads after impressive wins over LSU and Tennessee in the SEC Tournament in their second season under Chris Jans.