Boise, Idaho will have the honor of hosting four NCAA Tournament games on Thursday. Perhaps no other bracket on opening day can boast a lineup of big name teams than this one. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Kentucky, and Arizona comprise the marquee brands that will take the Taco Bell Arena hardwood. Arguably no other group on the first day of March Madness offers more star power. As a finalist last year Gonzaga will get plenty of college basketball betting line action. No team has more blue blood pedigree than Kentucky. And Arizona has long been the power of the Southwest.
2018 NCAA Tournament from Boise
Date and Time: March 15 and March 17, 2018
Location: Taco Bell Arena, Boise, Idaho
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click here!
2018 NCAA Tournament TV Coverage: TNT and CBS
Matches and Schedules
Breakfast in Boise opens with #13 UNC Greensboro vs. Gonzaga at 12:30 p.m. Next #5 Ohio State will meet #12 South Dakota State at 3 p.m. An evening doubleheader with the college basketball betting line follows. #12 Davidson takes on #5 Kentucky at 6:10 p.m. In the nightcap #13 Buffalo meets #4 Arizona at 8:40 p.m. Winners move on to play on Saturday.
Gonzaga
Not that long ago the Gonzaga Bulldogs were lovable sportsbook online underdogs. Building their brand with March Madness upsets the Zags are now the hunted. Although they lost the title game last year to North Carolina they boast a full court game. Gonzaga ranks ninth in the country for offense. Defensively they are a solid 48th in the country. Of concern is their newfound overlay status. Just 14 payouts in 31 games raises doubts about getting full board value. UNC Greensboro lost only nine out of 27 games with the line. Also strong on defense the Spartans ranked sixth nationally for points allowed.
Ohio State
Ohio State turned an expected rebuild season into a March Madness berth. New coach Chris Holtmann quickly figured things out for an astonishing turnaround. However, the Buckeyes paid in just three of their last eight games. South Dakota State won the regular season and tournament titles of the Summit. Best of all the Jackrabbits got the money in 19 of 28 games. SDSU was the sixth highest scoring team in the country.
Kentucky
Few teams in the country closed as well as Kentucky. With seven payouts in eight games they won the SEC Tournament. Loaded with talent U of K may be peaking at the right time. Davidson us a great betting value with only 12 spread losses in 31 games. They stole the Atlantic 10 Conference tourney title.
Arizona
Despite the cloud of an FBI investigation Arizona was able to win the Pac 12 Conference. Wagering value was a challenge all season for the Wildcats. Head coach Sean Miller’s team paid in only 14 of 34 lined games. But with six covers in their last nine games momentum is on their side. Buffalo won the MAC regular season and tournament titles. The Bison lost only 12 of 31 games vs. the odds.
Matchup to Watch
Normally Kentucky is an overlay with the college basketball betting line. But in this tournament, they will not be as expensive after a sluggish regular season.
2018 Tournament in Boise Betting Odds Picks
In conclusion Kentucky is peaking perfectly for March Madness. Davidson will likely pay the price with a big loss to the Wildcats.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Kentucky Wildcats
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Kentucky Wildcats 81, Davidson Wildcats 60
Watch highlights of Kentucky’s SEC Tournament championship!