March 20, 2024: Betting Madness

I’ve bet on March Madness plenty, most recently, in my Draft Kings account, last year. How did I do? Well, honestly, I can’t recall… I know, sounds shady. Well, I guess it wasn’t too good or wasn’t too bad; I think I would remember that. I have had some really bad tournaments in the past, but this year, this year will be different. Why? Well, I’ve followed College Basketball more closely this year than I have in… well, it’s been a long time. Now this certainly does not guarantee success; please read the fine print on these picks. But yeah, I’m going to post my bets, because why not? I sat out the first two play in-games last night, but will be getting involved with tonight’s action, and of course, in the main course starting on Thursday. I’m going to stick to my money management principles, so that’s good, however, I probably will be betting on more games than I should, but… it’s the madness for God’s sake! Let the betting madness begin!

I’ve been listening/reading to a ton of stuff. My Follow The Money podcast and a bunch of stuff on Twitter over the past few days. Again, no guarantee to success here; if there was, everybody would be doing it. But… I think I know enough to be dangerous; don’t know why I just said that… this guy at work says that and I hate it. But, again, not going ALL IN on any of these picks by any means; sticking to 1 unit per play. Ready?

Boise St ML- I initially liked Colorado in this game, but after seeing the Boise St reaction to their seeding, and the “disrespect” to the Mountain West in general, I’ll be on that conference’s side for the most part, even though the trends tell a different story. Give me the Broncos straight up.

South Carolina ML- Loved this team all year. They’ve definitely helped my winnings, except of course, their last game against Auburn, when, of course, I went big on them. Well, I’m back for more from the Gamecocks, but just a normal play here against another Pac-12 team; I’ll be betting against them most of the way I think.

Oakland ML & Oakland +13.5- I need to pick an upset right? Kentucky is a lot of folks’ dark horse and the way the brackets broke, certainly feels like they have a chance. With all the upsets everybody likes, not many siding with Oakland, but I am… Expecting a close game at the very least.

Long Beach State +20.5- The coach that got fired but coached them to a conference title vs the best Pac 12 team in a weak conference… give me the points.

Nevada -1.5- Why not the ML? Well, there is that argument, but I’m riding the Mountain West again, bucking the trend, as well as, their coach, Steve Alford, who has some previous Madness experience, better as a player than coach though.

Colorado St ML- You see a common trend here? It may be the end of me, but I’ve liked the conference pretty much all year. Why stop now? Texas? Should they even be in? We’ll see.

Gonzaga -6.5- 5 vs 12 magic? How about going oppo here? They’re not as good as other Zaga teams, but I actually like them to make a decent run after coming up short in their conference championship game.

Drake -1.5- Same team coming back from last year basically, hoping for a different result. I’ll give them a chance.

Texas Tech -5- Well, it was a nice run by NC State, but… I think the conference strength between the two is a bit wide… how’d Virginia do last night?

Kansas -7- McCullers out for the tourney hurts the Jayhawks big time, but for everybody to be picking against them in this first round game? I’ll take my chances.

OK, not a whole lot of intel here, but pro-Mountain West, anti Pac 12, going oppo of public opinion. This concludes the first pick segment. More picks to come on Friday; hopefully I’ll be up some units by then. Good luck and enjoy the dance!