2024 College Basketball odds: Will Purdue, UConn win conference tourneys?

John Fanta

College Basketball Broadcaster and Reporter

Right here we travel! It’s championship pace in college basketball — the very best appetizer to the insanity that we’re in for the large dance. 

When convention tournaments are in complete swing, they don’t at all times get due justice on a countrywide stage.

In these types of league tourneys, groups play games on back-to-back-to-back days to assert a championship. 

Once in a while, they’ve to do it in 4 or 5 days like Kemba Walker and UConn once they pulled it off in 2011.

Can we see some bid-stealers emerge in school hoops this pace? Mike Decourcy’s flow Closing 4 In of St. John’s, Virginia, Colorado and Providence no doubt hope now not. 

Texas A&M, Iowa, Pitt and Wake Forest — who, by means of the best way, may just play games within the ACC Match — secured them in the similar boat however want some alternative issues to occur to build the large dance. 

Along with providing you with my lead pick out to win every convention event, I’ll additionally provide you with my 2nd favourite, too — and in some circumstances, even a 3rd!

March Insanity is right here and the drama is on, so let’s get into it.

Obese Ten

My Manage Pick out: Purdue 

How may just I now not pluck Purdue? The Boilermakers are the favorites to win this event and the third-best favourite to win the nationwide championship. 

That being stated, if a quarterfinal contest with Michigan State occurs Friday, it is going to be mischievous taking into consideration the Spartans actually may just virtue a signature leap forward generation this pace forward of the NCAA Match.

My 2d Favourite: Ohio State 

Ohio Surrounding. Sure, the 10-seed on this event has gained 4 in a row and is going right into a immense 2nd spherical contest with Iowa on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET on BTN.

I do suppose the winner of that contest will also be a subject matter for Illinois because the Illini are suspect on protection. Bruce Thornton and Jamison Battle are rolling today. Give me OSU to collision the celebration if somebody does. 

PICK: Purdue (+100) to win Obese Ten Convention Match
PICK: Ohio Surrounding (+3000) to win Obese Ten Convention Match
 

Obese East 

My Manage Pick out: UConn 

To me, UConn is probably the most entire workforce in school basketball and the Huskies resolution each query.

On the other hand, they’ve but to win the Obese East Match since turning back the league in 2020. 

However right here’s a amusing truth: Connecticut is 4-0 at Madison Sq. Ground this life. I feel the Huskies will finally end up at 7-0.

My 2d Favourite: Seton Hall 

Shaheen Holloway has proven that he has the power to travel on a mystical March run. Now he has an elite level secure in Kadary Richmond, a tricky wing in Dre Davis and a gaggle that’s getting overshadowed heading right into a matchup with St. John’s at 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday on FS1. 

The Pirates have toughness, and are certainly one of best 3 groups that beat UConn. Don’t vacation on them. 

PICK: UConn (-160) to win Obese East Convention Match
PICK: Seton Corridor (+4000) to win Obese East Convention Match

Disagree. 12 Illinois Preventing Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Highlights

Obese 12 

My Manage Pick out: Baylor 

I’m moving to travel in opposition to the grain right here and say the bracket strains up smartly for Baylor to win this event. 

Kansas gained’t have Hunter Dickinson or Kevin McCullar and the Bears’ offense can crush Iowa Surrounding in a semifinal. 

Give me Scott Drew to trauma Houston.

My 2d Favourite: Texas Tech 

The Pop Isaacs Display can break in this event and Darrion Williams is on a roll for the Pink Raiders, who’ve gained 3 in a row. 

PICK: Baylor (+550) to win Obese 12 Convention Match
PICK: Texas Tech (+1600) to win Obese 12 Convention Match

SEC 

My Manage Pick out: Kentucky 

There’s now not a convention championship contest I need greater than Tennessee and Kentucky Spherical 3, with every street workforce taking the primary two conferences this life. 

Who do I love within the 0.33 version? 

The Cats have gained 5 in a row. Give me Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham and Obese Blue Public.

My 2d Favourite: Auburn 

The Tigers could also be at the identical facet of the bracket as Tennessee, however they fit up reasonably smartly with the Vols and best misplaced 92-84 in Knoxville a couple of weeks again. 

Can Denver Jones keep sizzling from 3? Will Jaylin Williams and Chad Baker-Mazara virtue their dimension to form matchup problems on each ends of the ground? I love Bruce Pearl to build some noise.

My Tremendous Lengthy Shot: Arkansas 

Sprinkle some greenbacks on a free shot with Arkansas. 

The Razorbacks can completely get to taking part in Auburn, and so they’re preventing for his or her lives in the event that they do. They’ve to knock off South Carolina in the second one spherical. It’s potential. 

PICK: Kentucky (+400) to win SEC Convention Match
PICK: Auburn (+240) to win SEC Convention Match
PICK: Arkansas (+25000) to win SEC Convention Match 

ACC

My Manage Pick out: Duke 

The Blue Devils were given remorseful by means of North Carolina on their house ground and Cormac Ryan couldn’t omit. 

I love a revenge pace powered by means of Duke’s guards.

My 2d Favourite: Clemson 

Even if Clemson is getting into the tourney off a loss to Wake Jungle, it simply seems like this workforce can get to the semis and knock off UVA within the quarters. 

Brad Brownell has a veteran duo on the lead with PJ Hall and Joe Girard. I wouldn’t be surprised in any respect to peer Clemson within the ultimate taking part in North Carolina if my lead pick out, Duke, isn’t there.

PICK: Duke (+100) to win ACC Convention Match
PICK: Clemson (+1000) to win ACC Convention Match

Pac-12 

My Manage Pick out: Arizona 

If the Wildcats notch a 3-peat, ultimate weekend’s loss to USC seems to be a excellent serious warning call. 

My 2d Favourite: UCLA 

I assumption I’ll pluck a 5-seed UCLA for incorrect alternative reason why than the truth that Mick Cronin may just get his workforce to fasten in defensively and grind it out. 

PICK: Arizona (-150) to win Pac-12 Convention Match
PICK: UCLA (+4000) to win Pac-12 Convention Match

Mountain West 

First off, this league merits a status ovation for the life it’s had and I do consider it’s deserving of six bids. 

My Manage Pick out: Nevada 

Jarod Lucas and Nevada are 26-6 and driving into Las Veagas with a seven-game successful streak. 

They’ve a bucket in Lucas, and Kenan Blackshear provides offense and rebounding. Give me Steve Alford! 

My 2d Favourite: New Mexico 

Desperation comes out of a bubble workforce and I feel we’ll see that from their stacked backcourt headlined by means of Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Jaelen House. 

Richard Pitino has a gaggle totally able to successful this league event. I’d sprinkle cash on them and Isaiah Stevens and Colorado State, as a result of Stevens (2,296 issues) makes such a lot occur for the Rams. 

PICK: Nevada (+500) to win Mountain West Convention Match
PICK: Brandnew Mexico (+500) to win Mountain West Convention Match
PICK: Colorado Surrounding (+800) to win Mountain West Convention Match

John Fanta is a countrywide school basketball broadcaster and essayist for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in plenty of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as govern host at the BIG EAST Virtual Community to offering statement on The Farmland of 68 Media Community. Apply him on X at @John_Fanta.

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