MIAMI, FL, March 14, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Doesn't it seem like just yesterday when UCONN beat Butler in the championship game of last year's tournament? Who could forget the Huskies' memorable March run led by point guard Kemba Walker. Fast forward another year and it's March again and tournament time is here once again with teams are eager to advance all the way to the Final Four in New Orleans.
Now that the tournament is here you probably want some information on some of the notable teams that could make a run this year in the tournament. You probably wonder which team will win each conference; which team will make it to the Final Four and which team will win the March Madness entire tournament.
To our best knowledge, we have broken down and displayed the betting odds of the top teams, competing in the tournament, as well as the list of best online sportsbooks to wager on the 2012 March Madness games. Catch all of the tournaments best betting odds and spreads by OpenSportsbookUSA and view the latest free and paid bracket contests.
Below odds are provided by BetOnline, top online sportsbook.
Betting odds for Xavier to win the tournament bracket - 176 to 1
If there is one perplexing team this year it is Xavier. They made their way into the tournament, but did not meet expectations after being a top 15 team the first half of the season. Their season has been marred by the scary brawl they had with cross-town rival Cincinnati in December. They went into a bit of a tailspin after that game as the after effects of the media coverage seemed to affect their play. They rebounded to receive the at-large bid and a lot of their success or failure will hinge on the play of point guard Tu Halloway. This a top 15 team talent wise who has seen its stock plummet and we think given their lofty odds they are worth a look.
Betting odds for Connecticut to win the tournament bracket - 71 to 1
To be honest, UCONN is another team who disappointed this season, but has the talent to make a run. They started the season ranked in the top 5 and struggled to gain any kind of consistency throughout the season. A potential 2nd round match-up with Kentucky makes it unlikely they will advance past the first weekend, but if they ever beat the Wildcats they can very well go on another run like they did last year. Do not count them out, on the other hand though consider them a risky bet at best especially considering the tough road they will have facing Kentucky in Louisville.
Betting odds for Duke to win the tournament bracket - 19 to 1
This is one of those years where Coach K is not getting the credit he deserves for doing such a great coaching job. Take a look at Duke's roster, besides Austin Rivers is there a legit, sure fire NBA talent on the roster? We don't see one. This team was in the top 10 all season and is a two-seed. We like Duke mainly because until a potential match-up with Kentucky in the elite 8 we think the bracket breaks nicely for the Blue Devils.
Betting odds for Louisville to win the tournament bracket - 31 to 1
An underachieving team makes a run to win the Big East Tournament behind a quick electrifying point guard. Sound familiar? Peyton Siva led the Cardinals to the Big East tournament title as a 7 seed and has the team playing its best basketball heading into March. Although their bracket is not an easy one, Louisville is as talented as anyone in the tournament and we could see them carrying that momentum.
Betting odds for Syracuse to win the tournament bracket - 9 to 1
There have been two teams that were a cut above the rest this season in college basketball and one of them is the Syracuse Orange. The Orange features a rotation that can go 10 deep. The team has maintained its focus throughout two scandals this season and that is largely due to the senior leadership of Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph. They have a solid all around game and will be a tough out in the eastern region. In taking a look at the region they are in, it is hard to imagine they will not reach the final four.
Betting odds for Ohio State to win the tournament bracket - 6.5 to 1
Although the Buckeyes have gone through some peaks and valleys throughout the season they might be playing their best basketball heading into the tournament. Even though they lost the Big 10 Championship to Michigan St. the game was as intense of a game as we saw in Championship Week. Jared Sullinger is playing the best basketball of his season thus far. If you think that the Ohio St. shooters can knock down shots when Sullinger is double teamed than you probably think OSU is a good bet at these odds.
Betting odds for North Carolina to win the tournament bracket - 6 to 1
As far as experience and talent go, North Carolina is probably the best team in the country. Led by Harrison Barnes and Tyler Zeller there was much expected of the Tar Heels this season. Although the win-loss record is solid the effort hasn't always been. If we get a motivated Carolina team then watch out rest of the tourney because they are almost unbeatable. The only thing to check with them is the availability of ACC defensive player of the year Jon Henson who did not play the last 2 games of the ACC tourney because of injury. The team says he will play, but it is still a situation worth monitoring.
Betting odds for Kentucky to win the tournament bracket - 3.15 to 1
The Wildcat have been the cream of the crop this season and head into the tourney as the prohibitive favorite. Their half court defense led by shot block extraordinaire Anthony Davis is tops in the country. They can outright stifle you on the defensive end. This team blends more experience with the youth which is something the last couple good Wildcat teams were lacking. A trip to the Final Four seems like an inevitability, but will this group of 'Cats bring John Calipari his first championship?
2012 March Madness Tournament should be a very exciting tournament to watch. The NCAA selection committee already reveled the 68 teams which will be competing in this years College Men's Basketball Tournament, with Syracuse, Kentucky, Michigan and North Carolina at the No. 1 seed in this season's bracket.
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