No team has ever covered a spread bigger than 21.5 points during March Madness and it won’t happen in 2014 either.
That’s because no team is favored by more than 21.5 points, although three top seeds get that treatment from Vegas shops and sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
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The tournament’s top seed, Florida, faces tiny Albany this week and the Gators are favored by 21.5 points over the Great Danes.
Arizona lays 20 points against No. 16 Weber State in the West Region, while Virginia also lays 21.5 points at the betting window against Coastal Carolina (making its first trip to the Madness since 1993).
The nation’s only unbeaten team will know its first opponent later Wednesday and Wichita State will enjoy similar respect in facing the winner of the Cal Poly-Texas Southern play-in game.
Of course, it was only two years ago that tiny Norfolk State upset No. 2 seed Missouri. The Spartans were underdogs of 21.5 points as a 15 seed. It was just the fourth time in tournament history that a No. 2 seed was beaten in the first round and it happened again a few hours later when Lehigh upset Duke.
The first time was way back in 1993 when a scrawny Canadian kid named Steve Nash made six free throws down the stretch to lead Santa Clara to a win as a 15 seed.
Florida top pick to win it all
While the Gators top the odds to win March Madness list at most sportsbooks, the other No. 1 seeds don’t get the same respect from oddsmakers.
While Florida was +525 (wager $100 and turn a $525 profit), the next betting choice was Louisville, seeded fourth in the Midwest Region. The Cardinals have been hot, they are the defending champs and there is plenty of hype surrounding them at +825.
Arizona was third at +1050 tied with another No. 4 seed in Michigan State. Kansas, the second seed in the South and armed with Canadian freshman superstar Andrew Wiggins, is next, followed by Duke, the No. 3 seed in the Midwest.
Wichita State and Virginia rank No. 7 and No. 8 on this list, a surprising development at the sportsbooks.
Best upset picks
Bracket pool experts and bettors alike always seek out upsets and there is plenty of potential Thursday and Friday.
The 5 vs 12 matchup always produces upsets, although the higher seeds took care of business a year ago with a 3-1 mark. In 2014, North Dakota State brings a 21-3 streak to its battle with No. 5 Oklahoma, which is favored by just 3.5 points.
Saint Louis was an upset victim as a 5 seed last year and they are in danger again in the Midwest Region against No. 12 NC State. Harvard’s veteran squad is an underdog of just three points against Cincinnati in the East and Stephen F. Austin, winners of 28 straight games, is a tough out for No. 5 Virginia Commonwealth.