March Madness Kicks Off: Who Will Claim NCAA Titles?

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The highly anticipated NCAA Tournament officially begins this week with fans across the country participating in office pools and predicting who will win the coveted title. The First Four games start on March 18, followed by the first round from March 20-23.

This year, the tournament will be broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV, as well as their digital platforms like Paramount+. CBS will host the Final Four and the national championship game. The bracket includes 31 automatic qualifiers from conference tournaments, supplemented by 37 at-large selections determined by the NCAA selection committee.

The Sweet 16 games are scheduled for March 27-30, taking place in four cities: Newark, New Jersey (East Regional), Atlanta (South), Indianapolis (Midwest), and San Francisco (West). The Final Four is set for April 5 in San Antonio, leading to the championship game on April 7.

“Everyone is excited as we approach Selection Sunday,” said NCAA spokesperson Sarah Walker. “Fans are eager to see which teams will emerge and make a run for the title.”

As betting interest ramps up, BetMGM Sportsbook reports the top three favorites for the championship are Auburn, Duke, and Florida. Florida enters as a slight favorite at +350, with Duke close behind at +360. Other noteworthy teams like Auburn (+400) and Houston (+600) are also expected to make significant impacts.

Bruce Marshall, a handicapper for CBS SportsLine, expressed confidence in Florida’s chances. “They’ve been playing at a different level lately. I see them as a strong contender,” Marshall stated, adding that their path towards victory may hinge on their performances in the conference tournaments.

In women’s basketball, attention remains on Caitlin Clark, whose rise in the sport has driven a surge in betting interest according to BetMGM. The sportsbook reported a 35% increase in bets specifically on women’s college basketball this season, partly attributed to Clark’s visibility and impact.

“We expect continued momentum with prop bets on stars like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins likely to be very popular,” said BetMGM sports trader Hannah Luther.

Meanwhile, the public’s interest in legal sports betting is under scrutiny. A recent poll revealed that while about 60% of U.S. adults support betting on professional sports, only 40% feel the same way about college sports.

Colleen Plowman, a Kansas resident, remarked, “I think college athletes face more pressure than their professional counterparts. There needs to be a distinction.” Others echoed this sentiment, fearing that younger athletes may not be equipped to handle the pressures of betting.

The NCAA Tournament holds significant cultural and financial stakes, with millions of dollars wagered and the nation’s eyes focused on the court.