Last year Baylor was a serious threat for the Final Four. COVID-19 may have been the only foe to stop them. This year the Bears are even better. And a top-tier favorite with the College Basketball odds. However, the Bears’ path to the Final Four is not assured. Their bracket includes some tough opponents. Consider that North Carolina, Wisconsin, Villanova, and Purdue can handle anyone they face. Villanova has two national championships since 2016. North Carolina was the 2017 champion. Wisconsin had a near-miss in 2015. All three teams and Purdue are March Madness regulars.
2021 NCAA Tournament – Baylor Bracket
| First Round Date: | Friday, March 19, 2021 |
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| 2021 NCAA Tournament Odds at SBG | Click Here |
Baylor vs. Hartford – 3:30 p.m. ET, truTV
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | +26 (-110) | 140½ (-110) | +2500 | |
| Baylor | -26 (-110) | 140½ (-110) | -5000 | |
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Baylor is 22-2 SU, 15-9 ATS, 15-9 OU. By contrast, Hartford is 15-8 SU, 14-8-1 ATS, 8-15 OU. Baylor has failed to cover five of their last seven games. Over the total has hit in 11 of their previous 12 games. Baylor ranks 3rd out of 350 teams for scoring offense and 57th for points allowed. That full-court presence provides a tough challenge for any opponent. First, in the Big 12 regular season standings went to the Bears. Hartford ranks 28th for points allowed. However, they are 320th for scoring.
North Carolina -1.5, 140.5 vs. Wisconsin, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | +1½ (-110) | 138½ (-110) | +103 | |
| North Carolina | -1½ (-110) | 138½ (-110) | -123 | |
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Specifically, the North Carolina vs. Wisconsin matchup is one of the best in the first round. North Carolina has an online betting record of 18-10 SU, 13-13-2 ATS, 13-15 OU. Wisconsin is 17-12 SU, 12-15-2 ATS, 14-14-1 OU. Late on, UNC has lost only two of their last nine games to the odds. Coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heels recovered well from a rough start.
Wisconsin brings a tradition of tough defense and is ranked 37th for points allowed. But their plodding offense is 218th out of 350 teams for scoring. UW has paid in just two of their last eight games.
Villanova vs. Winthrop, 9:57 p.m. ET, TNT
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop | +6½ (-110) | 143 (-110) | +220 | |
| Villanova | -6½ (-110) | 143 (-110) | -260 | |
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Namely, Jay Wright is one of the most respected college basketball coaches. Wright inherited an ash heap at Villanova. But he transformed the Wildcats into a perennial national championship contender. And a two-time national champion. Villanova is 16-6 SU, 11-10-1 ATS, 12-10 OU. Winthrop is 23-1 SU, 13-11 ATS, 11-12-1 OU. Nova was the regular-season Big East champion. However, the Wildcats have paid in only three of their ten games. Wright’s team is well-balanced, ranking 69th for scoring offense and 84th for points allowed.
Winthrop is the Big South champion and ranks 35th nationally for scoring offense. So too, have the Eagles covered five of their last seven.
Purdue vs. North Texas, 7:25 p.m. ET, TNT
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Texas | +7½ (-110) | 126½ (-110) | +290 | |
| Purdue | -7½ (-110) | 126½ (-110) | -350 | |
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Purdue finished fourth in the brutally tough Big Ten Conference. On the whole, the Boilermakers are 18-9 SU, 14-11-2 ATS, 14-13 OU. Coach Matt Painter’s team ranks 56th out of 350 teams for points allowed. Also, Purdue has paid in five of their last six games. North Texas is 17-9 SU, 15-9-1 ATS, 10-15 OU. The Mean Green ranks 21st nationally for points allowed.
2021 Baylor Bracket SBG Free Picks
Certainly, Baylor is going to be a handful for whoever they face with the College basketball odds. Wisconsin’s lack of offense doesn’t bode well against North Carolina. And Villanova has a stellar history in March Madness.
Baylor Bracket SBG Best Bets: Baylor, North Carolina, Villanova.