Alabama is known as the greatest college football program in history. Basketball has always been an afterthought at the ultimate football factory. But when hated arch-rival Auburn made the 2019 Final Four, things changed. Auburn is also a football school. But their March Madness betting success showed that winning basketball is a money maker. Alabama quickly hired Nate Oats as their new head coach. And Oats has wasted no time in igniting the Alabama program. Accordingly, the Crimson Tide won the SEC regular-season title. Meanwhile, traditional SEC power Kentucky has suffered a stunning fall.
2021 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament
When: March 10-13, 2021
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
TV: SEC Network and ESPN
CashBet Odds: Click Here
Tide Offense Rolls to Title
Alabama has a top online sportsbook record of 21-6 straight up, 15-11-1 against the spread, and 13-14 under the total. In sum, the Crimson Tide ranks 31st out of 350 teams for scoring offense and 185th for points allowed. Alabama won their first SEC regular-season title since 2002.
Guard Jaden Shackelford leads the Crimson Tide with 14.4 points per game. And then guard John Petty Jr. adds 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Arkansas Hogs the Payout Window
Late on, the Razorbacks are one of the hottest teams on the 2021 March Madness Betting board. Arkansas has covered seven of their last eight games. National rankings show the Hogs at 12th in the land. Arkansas has a record of 21-5 straight up, 16-8-1 against the spread, and 14-10 over the total. Overall national metrics show the Razorbacks 7th for scoring offense and 196th for points allowed.
In like manner to Oats, coach Eric Musselman has engineered a quick turnaround in two years on the job. Guard James Moody leads the Razorbacks with 17.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
LSU Show Indomitable Will to Overcome Noise
Two years ago, LSU coach Will Wade was considered as good as fired. Not for being a loser but for being a cheater. To illuminate, Wade was taped as he bragged about making players huge offers. Yet nothing has come of it. And Wade continues to win. LSU climbed out of an early ditch to finish an impressive third in the SEC. The Tigers have a bet on NCAA basketball record of 16-8 straight up, 10-13-1 against the spread, and 14-9 over the total. To summarize, LSU ranks 10th for scoring offense but 289th for points allowed.
Guard Cameron Thomas has emerged as one of the top players in the SEC. To show, Thomas leads with 23.1 points per game. Forward Trendon Watford adds 16.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest. So too does guard Ja’Vonte Smart bring 15.8 points per game. Such offensive power makes LSU a team that nobody wants to face.
Tennessee Fades Fast After Strong Start
At the beginning of the season, Tennessee was being touted as Final Four material. Coach Rick Barnes had his Volunteers ranked as high as 6th in the nation. But the hard grinding style of play that made UT so successful eventually wore the team out. Counter to the top three teams in the SEC, the Volunteers rely on airtight defense for wins. Tennessee has covered only two of their last seven games. Three of their previous four went under the total.
UT is 17-7 straight up, 12-11-1 against the spread, and 10-14 under the total. Overall national metrics show the Vols ranked 149th for scoring but 22nd for points allowed. If Barnes and his team advance, it will be with that defense. It is what separates Tennessee from the pack.
Calipari Humiliated by his Mildcats
On the whole, Kentucky is the most shocking disappointment in 2021 March Madness betting. Coach John Calipari’s team finished 9-15 straight up, 7-15-2 against the spread, and 10-13 under the total. Despite all of his past one-and-done success, Calipari has a team ranked 206th for scoring and 177th for points allowed. Anyone thinking UK can rally this week is out on a limb.
2021 SEC Tournament CashBet Best Bet:
LSU Tigers
