Last night’s two First Four games set off 2024 March Madness in a big way, with two more contests happening tonight that will round out the final 64 teams. Here is our take on last night’s action, this evening’s games, and the remainder of the March Madness Tournament.
First Four Results
Colorado State 67
Virginia 42
The Rams easily covered the 3-point spread against the Cavaliers, besting Virginia by 25 points. Colorado State and Virginia combined to score 109 points, 11 under the set total at online March Madness sportsbooks. The Rams are now the 10-seed in the Midwest Region and play against the 7-seed Texas Longhorns in the first round.
Wagner 71
Howard 68
Wagner covered, as Howard was favored to win by 3.5 points. The over hit, since the Bison and the Seahawks exceeded the total of 128.5 by 10.5 points. Next up for Wagner is a chance to write their names into the March Madness history books as the second team to ever knock off a 1 seed (the North Carolina Tarheels) in the Round of 64.
Remaining First Four Betting Lines
Legal College Basketball betting sites are taking action on tonight’s remaining two First Four games. The following two betting lines are posted at BetOnline.
Grambling Tigers vs Montana State Bobcats Betting Line
- Spread: Grambling +4.0, Montana State -4.0
- Moneyline Odds: Grambling +168, Montana State -193
- Over/Under: 135.0
The Bobcats are favored to earn the 16-seed in the Midwest Bracket, where they will face the 1-seeded Purdue Boilermakers. The Colorado Buffaloes appear poised for “prime time,” as they are favored to beat the Boise State Broncos and move on to become the 7-seed in the South Bracket, where they’ll play the Florida Gators (10).
Colorado Buffaloes vs Boise State Broncos Betting Line
- Spread: Colorado -2.5, Boise State +2.5
- Moneyline Odds: Colorado -147, Boise State +127
- Over/Under: 141.5
March Madness Sleepers
When it comes to basketball betting in March, everyone loves a sleeper. UConn won last year as a 4-seed, and since 1989, there has been only one March Madness champion seeded lower than that – the 7th-seeded UConn Huskies in 2014.
That said, while enormous odds are offered on programs rated 5th and below, they don’t win often. Below are the top 6 rated teams in the current college basketball futures, and the only four-seed among them are the SEC Champion Auburn Tigers.
2024 March Madness Futures
- UConn Huskies +400
- Houston Cougars +650
- Purdue Boilermakers +750
- Arizona Wildcats +1200
- Auburn Tigers +1500
- Tennessee Volunteers +1600
The Tigers are heating up at the perfect time of year when it matters most. While Auburn was a mediocre 5-5 on the road this season, it must be noted that they are 7-1 on neutral courts.
Betting on 2024 March Madness odds will continue until April 8th, when the championship team will be awarded in Phoenix, Arizona.
BetOnlineAG (BetOnline Review), ESPN, Auburn University Athletics