The college basketball season continues to head into its stretch run. A number of teams, including No. 2 Baylor, have had to postpone games recently due to the coronavirus.
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While it is still having an effect on the season, COVID-19 is not going to end the NCAA tournament as it did a year ago. The NCAA is doing everything in its power to ensure that March Madness 2021 happens.
That said, there are a number of teams moving in different directions as the regular season nears its end. Here a look at the updated odds to win March Madness 2021.
The Big Two – Gonzaga and Baylor
As it has been since the preseason, the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Baylor Bears are the top two teams in the country. The Bulldogs are 20-0 and the Bears 17-0. As mentioned, Baylor has had to postpone five straight games and will not play again until Feb. 20.
Still, Gonzaga is the heavy favorite at +225 to win its first NCAA tournament championship. Baylor is close behind at +250.
The last time there were two teams that were clearly better than the rest of the nation was in 2010 – Duke and Kansas. The Blue Devils won it all while the Jayhawks were upset in the second round. In 2005, North Carolina and Illinois were clearly better than the rest of the country. They played each other for the national championship.
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The No. 3 team in the country is Michigan, which has also missed some time due to COVID. The Wolverines are 14-1 overall and 9-1 in the very tough Big Ten. Seven-foot freshman Hunter Dickinson has been absolutely outstanding which is why Michigan is given +750 odds to win this year’s March Madness.
Only one other team is listed with odds below +1000. That honor belongs to Villanova, which has won two national titles in the last five years. The Wildcats (13-3) were cruising right along until an upset loss to St. John’s. Now at 8-2 in the Big East, Villanova is listed at +850 to win it all.
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One of the big surprises this season has been Ohio State (17-4). The Buckeyes are devoid of a true superstar but are experienced and will be a tough out in the upcoming tournament. Ohio State is listed at +1700 and has yet to play Michigan this season. They are a likely No. 2 seed in the tourney and, with the right draw, could go deep.
Illinois, ranked No. 5, gives the Big Ten three teams inside the nation’s Top 10. Ayo Dosunmo averages over 21 points a game and 7-foot Kofi Cockburn puts in 17 points and grabs 10 rebounds for the Illini who are 14-5 overall. Illinois is given +1550 odds to win it all and has the roster to do it.
One of the other surprises this season is Texas (+1700). The Longhorns were ranked as high as No. 4 this season, but have had to play a difficult Big 12 schedule. Texas has lost three of its last five games and dropped to No. 12 in the polls. Despite their recent lack of success, head coach Shaka Smart and the Longhorns could sneak up on some teams come tournament time.
Tennessee (+2000) was an early favorite for the national championship until a mid-season slump hurt the Vols. They are still one of the best defensive teams in the country, which gives the Vols a shot in the tournament.
