New and Old Power Top 2021 March Madness Championship Futures

At the onset of March Madness is a combination of old and new powers.  Gonzaga was once a darling Cinderella team.  But over the past decade, the Bulldogs have emerged as a bona fide March Madness betting power.  They lost the national championship game in 2017.  And have been chalky ever since. So too has Michigan emerged as a perennial top-ten team over the past ten years.  The Maize and Blue lost the national championship game in 2013 and 2018.   Last season Baylor became nationally renowned as a national title threat. This year they have cemented that status.

2021 March Madness Futures Odds – Power Teams   

When:  March 18 through April 5, 2021

2021 CashBet March Madness Betting Overview

Most surprising about the upcoming Big Dance is how blue blood programs Kentucky, Indiana, and Duke are down and out.  While others, such as North Carolina and Kansas, struggled much of the year.  Gamblers will notice some of this year’s power teams.  Others will require a new way of thinking.

Gonzaga Bulldogs the Public Choice at +250

Gonzaga finished the regular season 24-0 straight up and 11-11-2 against the spread.  For all that, the Zags still catch sportsbook criticism for playing in the relatively weak West Coast Conference.  Gonzaga boasts the highest-scoring team in the land.  However, the defense has never been a team strength.

Baylor Brings Bear Market of +330

At the beginning of the Scott Drew era was a Baylor program decimated by scandal.  Drew needed and got several year’s worth of patience from the suits.  Now the Bears have reaped the rewards of that wisdom.  Baylor posted a regular-season record of 21-1 straight up and 15-7 against the spread.  An offense ranked 3^rd nationally for scoring makes the Bears a 2021 March Madness Betting threat.  Defensively they ranked 57^th out of 350 teams for a complete look.

Michigan Men Moved to the Third Choice at +420

First place in the Big Ten regular-season went to Michigan.  Coach Juwan Howard built a full-court team in just two seasons on the job.  Michigan has a bet on NCAA basketball record of 19-3 straight up and 16-6 against the spread.  Overall the Wolverines rank 62^nd for scoring and 54^th for points allowed.  Michigan was the 12^th ranked 3-point shooting team in the country.

Illini Fights up to +1000

Late on, Illinois emerged as one of the country’s hottest teams.  The Fighting Illini covered five of their last six games. Coach Brad Underwood had a rough first two seasons but now has a roster of his kind of players.  Illinois ranks 18^th in the country for scoring and 20^th for 3-point shooting.   Illinois mauled Michigan 76-53 on March 2 to enhance their credibility.  In sum, the Fighting Illini finished 20-6 straight up and 16-9-1 against the spread.

Houston the All-American Team at +1800

Head coach Kelvin Sampson has proven to be a perfect fit at Houston, where he has had the Cougars ranked in the top 20 for the past four seasons.  Extending that success is a 2020-21 record of 21-3 straight up and 16-7 against the spread.  National metrics show the Cougars 53^rd for scoring offense and 2^nd for points allowed. To summarize, this is a dangerous 2021 March Madness Betting threat that nobody wants to face.

Tide to Roll in at +2000

Specifically, there was no more surprising team in college basketball than Alabama.  Coach Nate Oats has a team emblematic of the changing dynamics of the sport.  This new national power finished 21-6 straight up and 15-11-1 against the spread as regular-season SEC champions.  Of great concern is that the Crimson Tide lacks historic March Madness success.

Villanova Could Be Wright at +2500

Namely, Villanova coach Jay Wright is one of the most recognizable figures in the sport.  Nova won the Big East regular-season championship with a record of 16-5 straight up and 11-9-1 against the spread.  Of course, the Wildcats are known for their 2016 and 2018 national titles.