Sportsbet Magazine March Madness Exclusive by Sportsbet Magazine

MARCH 2021

The First US Billion Dollar Sports Betting Event

MARCH MADNESS EXCLUSIVE ISSUE

BELIEVE IN YOUR GAME RISK-FREE FIRST BET UP TO

$500 PAID IN FREE BETS. NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY.

VISIT BETMGM.COM FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS. MUST BE 21. NEW JERSEY ONLY. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800 GAMBLER.

Contents In Focus In Every Issue 06 Letter from the Editor

Industry Insider: Sports Betting Tracker

11 College Basketball 16 Bracket Breakdown 18 Bracket Busters 23 Selection Sunday Winners & Losers 36 Top 25 NCAA Men’s Basketball Players 2021

Sports

12 Exclusive

NCAA March Madness

Health & Fitness 42 Fit From

Home with iFit

Top Rated US SportsBooks

Betting

from BetRivers

Travel

26 NCAA

March Madness

Masthead

20 Bracket Predictor 24 Betting Report Tournament Odds 30 Future Betting by William Hill 34 Best Bets from Top Rated Handicapper

27 Vegas for

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR’S LETTER After a year of uncertainty due to covid19 College Basketball fans and athletes can rejoice as March Madness is back in the bubble format. The 2021 NCAA Tournament will be the most widely bet-on sporting event in U.S. history. The popularity of the NCAA Tournament combined with such a high number of games typically makes March Madness the largest sports betting event each year in terms of handle, and there is no reason to suspect that won’t be the case this year. The number of legal sports betting markets has more than tripled

MICK MCCABE

editor-in-chief CONTACT EMAIL: MICHAEL@ SPORTSBETMAGAZINE.COM

since 2019, with more than 47 million Americans expected to place bets on the 2021 March Madness tournament. This will surely result in the tournament and College Basketball becoming the first US billion dollar wagered event in American Sports Betting history. Since the 2019 tournament, 65.4 million more Americans have gained the opportunity to bet safely in legal markets in 13 new jurisdictions.

@SPORTSBETMAG @SPORTSBETMAGAZINE

The rapid growth and changing landscape of the Sports Betting industry in America has led to the very first exclusive issue dedicated to March Madness. We hope you enjoy the issue and SportsBet Magazine will continue to be your ultimate resource for always coming out on top. Welcome to the issue and to SportsBet Magazine.

Legal Sports Betting in the U.S. ME

WA VT

NY WI

WV VA KY

NC TN OK

PA IA NE

AR MS

Authorized Sports Betting, Not Yet Operational (6 states + DC) Active 2020 Sports Betting Legislation/ Ballot (12 states) No 2020 Sports Betting Bills (18 States)

LA FL

Legal landscape as of January 15, 2020

LEARN MORE

AmericanGaming.org

Live, Legal SingleGame Sports Betting (14 states)

SCAN TO FIND THE BEST EXCLUSIVE SPORTSBOOK PROMOTIONS & FREE BETS IN YOUR STATE SCAN TO BET IN INDIANA

SCAN TO BET IN IOWA

SCAN TO BET IN NEW JERSEY

SCAN TO BET IN ILLINOIS

SCAN TO BET IN COLORADO

MASTHEAD

PUBLISHER Michael McCabe

EXECUTIVE M AN AGING EDITOR Ian Wilson

FOLLOW US THE SOCIAL MEDIA YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS For all the latest sporting news, injury updates and betting trends, follow SportsBet Magazine.

M AN AGING EDITOR Mark Nicholas

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS James Howard Adam Charles Noah Strang

ART DIRECTOR Alexandrea Achacoso

MULTI- MEDI A DIGITAL DIRECTOR Shannon Dannetelle

PUBLIC REL ATIONS DIRECTOR Amy McCabe

PUBLIC REL ATIONS M AN AGER Jill Winkler

PHOTOGRAPHER

@SPORTSBETMAGAZINE #SPORTSBETMAGAZINE

WWW.SPORTSBETMAGAZINE.COM

Dominic Petruzzi

CONTENT M AN AGER Gillian Harvey

SPORTS DIRECTOR Jason McNeil

FOR ALL ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT: Advertise@sportsbetmagazine.com

GONZAGA COMPLETES HISTORIC SEASON-LONG RUN AT NO. 1 RANK - TEAM - RECORD - PREVIOUS 1

GONZAGA

26-0

ILLINOIS

23-6

BAYLOR

22-2

MICHIGAN

20-4

ALABAMA

24-6

HOUSTON

24-3

OHIO STATE

21-9

IOWA

21-8

TEXAS

19-7

ARKANSAS

22-6

OKLAHOMA STATE

20-8

Illinois jumped to No. 2 after winning the Big Ten Tournament, swapping spots with Baylor — which fell one spot after spending 15 of 17 polls sitting at No. 2.

Michigan was next at No. 4, with all three of those teams joining Gonzaga in earning No. 1 seeds for the NCAA Tournament.

KANSAS

20-8

WEST VIRGINIA

18-9

FLORIDA STATE

16-6

Alabama was No. 5, with the Crimson Tide reaching their highest ranking since December 2006 after winning the Southeastern Conference Tournament for the first time since 1991. Houston, Ohio State, Iowa, Texas and Arkansas rounded out the top 10.

VIRGINIA

18-6

SAN DIEGO STATE

23-4

LOYOLA CHICAGO

24-4

VILLANOVA

16-6

CREIGHTON

20-8

BYU was the only addition to the poll, tying for No. 23 with Southern California.

PURDUE

18-9

TEXAS TECH

17-10

COLORADO

22-8

The Big 12 had a national-best six teams in the poll, including No. 11 Oklahoma State, No. 12 Kansas, No. 13 West Virginia and No. 21 Texas Tech. The Big Ten was next with five teams, with No. 20 Purdue joining four top-10 teams.

BYU

20-6

USC

22-7

VIRGINIA TECH

15-6

2021 MARCH MADNESS: COMPLETE SCHEDULE, DATES, TV TIMES

THE 2021 NCAA DI MEN’S BASKE TBALL TOURN AMENT WILL BE UNLIKE ANY M ARCH M ADNESS TH AT H AS COME BEFORE. ALL GAMES WILL BE PL AYED IN INDI AN A, WITH MOST IN INDI AN APOLIS. HERE’S THE SCHEDULE:

FIRST FOUR 4 p.m. start on Thursday, March 18 FIRST ROUND 12 p.m. start on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20 SECOND ROUND 12 p.m. start on Sunday, March 21, and Monday, March 22 SWEE T 16 2 p.m. start on Saturday, March 27, and 1 p.m. start on Sunday, March 28 ELITE EIGHT 7 p.m. start on Monday, March 29, and 6 p.m. start on Tuesday, March 30 FIN AL FOUR 5 p.m. start on Saturday, April 3 NCAA CH AMPIONSHIP GAME 9 p.m. Monday, April 5

FIRST FOUR — THURSDAY, MARCH 18 (16) Texas Southern vs. (16) Mount St. Mary’s

5:10 p.m.

truTV

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

(11) Drake vs. (11) Wichita State

6:27 p.m.

TBS

Mackey Arena

(16) Appalachian State vs. (16) Norfolk State

8:40 p.m.

truTV

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

(11) UCLA vs. (11) Michigan State

9:57 p.m.

TBS

Mackey Arena

FIRST ROUND — FRIDAY, MARCH 19 (7) Florida vs. (10) Virginia Tech

12:15 p.m.

CBS

Hinkle Fieldhouse

(3) Arkansas vs. (14) Colgate

12:45 p.m.

truTV

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

(1) Illinois vs. (16) Drexel

1:15 p.m.

TBS

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

(6) Texas Tech vs. (11) Utah State

1:45 p.m.

TNT

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

(2) Ohio State vs. (15) Oral Roberts

3 p.m.

CBS

Mackey Arena

(1) Baylor vs. (16) Hartford

3:30 p.m.

truTV

Lucas Oil Stadium Unity (South)

(8) Loyola Chicago vs. (9) Georgia Tech

4 p.m.

TBS

Hinkle Fieldhouse

(5) Tennessee vs. (12) Oregon State

4:30 p.m.

TNT

Bankers Life Fiieldhouse

(4) Oklahoma State vs. (13) Liberty

6:25 p.m.

TBS

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

(8) North Carolina vs. (9) Wisconsin

7:10 p.m.

CBS

Mackey Arena

(2) Houston vs. (15) Cleveland State

7:15 p.m.

truTV

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

(4) Purdue vs. (13) North Texas

7:25 p.m.

TNT

Lucas Oil (North)

(7) Clemson vs. (10) Rutgers

9:20 p.m.

TBS

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

(6) San Diego State vs. (11) Syracuse

9:40 p.m.

CBS

Hinkle Fieldhouse

(3) West Virginia vs. (14) Morehead State

9:50 p.m.

truTV

Lucas Oil Stadium Unity (South)

(5) Villanova vs. (12) Winthrop

9:57 p.m.

TNT

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

Stadium

Equality

FIRST ROUND — SATURDAY, MARCH 20 (5) Colorado vs. (12) Georgetown

12:15 p.m.

CBS

Hinkle Fieldhouse

(4) Florida State vs. (13) UNC Greensboro

12:45 p.m.

truTV

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

(3) Kansas vs. (14) Eastern Washington

1:15 p.m.

TBS

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

(8) LSU vs. (9) St. Bonaventure

1:45 p.m.

TNT

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

(1) Michigan vs. (16) Mount St. Mary's/Texas Southern

3 p.m.

CBS

Mackey Arena

(5) Creighton vs. (12) UC Santa Barbara

3:30 p.m.

truTV

Lucas Oil Stadium Unity (South)

(2) Alabama vs. (15) Iona

4 p.m.

TBS

Hinkle Fieldhouse

(6) USC vs. (11) Wichita State/Drake

4:30 p.m.

TNT

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

(2) Iowa vs. (15) Grand Canyon

6:25 p.m.

TBS

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

(7) UConn vs. (10) Maryland

7:10 p.m.

CBS

Mackey Arena

(4) Virginia vs. (13) Ohio

7:15 p.m.

truTV

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

(8) Oklahoma vs. (9) Missouri

7:25 p.m.

TNT

Lucas Oil Stadium Equality (North)

(1) Gonzaga vs. (16) Norfolk State/Appalachian State

9:20 p.m.

TBS

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

(6) BYU vs. (11) Michigan State/UCLA

9:40 p.m.

CBS

Hinkle Fieldhouse

(3) Texas vs. (14) Abilene Christian

9:50 p.m.

truTV

Lucas Oil Stadium Unity (South)

(7) Oregon vs. (10) VCU

9:57 p.m.

TNT

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

2021 MARCH MADNESS: TV SCHEDULE Selection Show

6 p.m. Sunday, March 14

CBS

First Four

4 p.m. coverage start on Thursday, March 18

truTV, TBS

First Round

12 p.m. coverage start on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20

TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV

Second Round

12 p.m. starts on Sunday, March 21 and Monday, March 22

TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV

Sweet 16

2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 28

CBS (afternoon games), TBS (primetime games)

Elite Eight

7 p.m. start on Monday, March 29 and 6 p.m. Coverage starts on Tuesday, March 30

CBS (Monday) and TBS (Tuesday)

Final Four

Games start 5 p.m. Saturday, April 3

CBS

National Championship

9 p.m. Monday, April 5

CBS

Games will be played on two courts inside Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Only one game at a time will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium. Teams will practice at the Indiana Convention Center with multiple courts set up inside the venue. All teams will be housed on dedicated hotel floors, with physically distanced meeting and dining rooms, as well as secure transportation to and from competition venues.

2021 NCAA BRACKE T: CH ANGES TO M ARCH M ADNESS SEEDING The NCAA bracket itself will be handled a little bit differently because the entire tournament is in Indiana. The top four seeds will be handled the same and so will the First Four. The changes will come in how the rest of the bracket is completed. Teams will be placed in the bracket based on rankings without the usual considerations for geography. This is called using the "S-curve" to fill the bracket. There will be 37 at-large selections (one more than normal) and 31 automatic qualifiers (one fewer than normal).

BRACKET BUSTERS Inevitably, a team you’ve never watched this season will shock the sports world and introduce itself with an upset win or two in the Big Dance. Which Cinderella teams could blow up your bracket and win the hearts of America in 2021? Or more importantly provide us with some betting value in the early rounds.

SAN DIEGO STATE (NO. 6 SEED, MIDWEST REGION) The Aztecs might not be a national title contender like they were before the pandemic ended their season in 2019–20, but San Diego State is as dangerous as any mid-major in the country right now. By the time they tip off in Indianapolis, Brian Dutcher’s team will not have lost in over two months. The Aztecs also have experience beating high-major teams, beating both UCLA and Arizona State comfortably in non conference games earlier this season. SDSU is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country, led by 47% shooter Jordan Schakel on the wing. Add in a wellschooled defense and lots of experience, and the Aztecs have all the makings of a team that can win multiple games. The first-round matchup against Syracuse is very appealing, and SDSU’s potential second-round matchup would be against a West Virginia team that has struggled of late.

ST. BON AVENTURE (NO. 9 SEED, EAST REGION) Just 25 teams in the country rank in the top 50 in both offensive and defensive efficiency per KenPom. One of those 25 is St. Bonaventure, the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament champion that will be an absolute handful in the East Region. Mark Schmidt’s team starts five juniors who rarely leave the floor—bench minutes account for just 10% of the Bonnies’ minutes, the lowest mark in the country. But those five juniors are terrific: Kyle Lofton is as steady as they come at the point, Osun Osunniyi is one of the best rim-protecting bigs in the land, Dominick Welch and Jaren Holmes are big-time scorers and Jalen Adaway is an elite glue guy. The Bonnies are tough, incredibly well-coached and can beat you in so many ways. Beating Michigan in a potential second-round matchup will be an incredible challenge, but with Isaiah Livers out, the Bonnies have a real chance for a Cinderella run.

LOYOL A CHICAGO (NO. 8 SEED, MIDWEST REGION) A Final Four run like what the Ramblers went on in 2018 requires a little bit of luck, but this year’s Loyola team is even better than the one that became national darlings three years ago. The Ramblers are the No. 9 team in America per KenPom, significantly better than the 2018 team that finished at No. 31. They are keyed by one of the nation’s best defenses, a group that concedes fewer points per game than anyone in the country and ranks second in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric. On offense, everything runs through senior big man Cameron Krutwig. Krutwig is college basketball’s Nikola Joki, an elite passer who makes the Ramblers go in the halfcourt. He’s surrounded with high-level shooters and ball handlers who play smart and unselfish basketball. The challenge: Loyola was dealt a brutal draw. An opening-round matchup against a hot Georgia Tech team is far from a cake walk, and a win there sets the Ramblers up against an Illinois team that can overwhelm them athletically at every position.

OHIO (NO. 13 SEED, WEST REGION) Since 1992, just three college basketball players have averaged at least 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists per game: Jason Kidd, Denzel Valentine and Jason Preston. Preston led the way for a Bobcats team that surged through the MAC tournament as a No. 5 seed to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since the program went all the way to the Sweet 16 in 2012. He’s the type of player that can single-handedly will a team to an upset, and he nearly did so in November when he posted 31 points and eight assists in a 77–75 loss at Illinois. The Bobcats are explosive on offense and are battle-tested from playing in a tough MAC. Add in the fact that first-round foe Virginia will be in quarantine until Thursday ahead of a Saturday game, and the Bobcats feel like a great bet to win at least one game in the Dance.

WINTHROP (NO. 12 SEED, SOUTH REGION) The 23–1 Eagles absolutely cruised through the Big South this season, winning 13 conference games by 10 points or more and winning their three conference tournament games by an average of 25.7 points. Pat Kelsey’s club will take on Villanova, a banged-up

squad that will definitely be without starting point guard Collin Gillespie and could be missing starting shooting guard Justin Moore. That could pose issues for Villanova against a Winthrop team that ranks in the top 25 nationally in forcing turnovers. The Wildcats traditionally take care of the ball extremely well, but without Gillespie, Winthrop could fluster Jay Wright’s club with its highintensity defense. Remember the name Chandler Vaudrin, a constant triple-double threat at the point guard position.

GEORGE TOWN (NO. 12 SEED, EAST REGION) The Hoyas are already one of March’s best stories after their miracle run through the Big East tournament to steal an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, but they might not be done yet. Once 5–10 on the season and 3–7 in the Big East, Georgetown started to show signs of life by winning four of six to close the regular season before exploding with four wins in four days at Madison Square Garden. Capping that run was a dominant display Saturday night against an excellent Creighton team to clinch the Hoyas’ bid. With a terrific big like Qudus Wahab and a playmaking guard in Jahvon Blair anchoring things, Georgetown certainly has the talent and confidence to make a run in the NCAA tournament. The x-factor is grad transfer forward Chudier Bile, who is averaging 12 points, six rebounds and shooting 47% from three in Georgetown’s last 10 games.

UTAH STATE (NO. 11 SEED, SOUTH REGION) The Aggies were sweating out the Selection Show as much as any team, but the committee rewarded them with not just a bid but also a bye into the first round. This team’s hallmark is defense and rebounding, relying on the interior duo of Neemias Queta and Justin Bean to maul teams on the interior. Queta in particular has had a special season in 2020–21, improving as a passer and post scorer en route to being named first-team All-Mountain West this season. Queta is also an elite shot blocker, which should make Texas Tech’s life difficult on the interior. The only thing Utah State lacks is a true playmaker in the backcourt, which could be an issue against an athletic Texas Tech team that is so well-schooled defensively at keeping the ball out of the middle of the floor.

UC SANTA BARBARA (NO. 12 SEED, WEST REGION) Joe Pasternack has loaded up the UC Santa Barbara roster with

higher-level talent than you’d typically find in the Big West, many of whom once played for high-major programs. The result: a 22–4 breakthrough season to bring the Gauchos to the Big Dance. The leader for UCSB is JaQuori McLaughlin, who started 35 games in two seasons at Oregon State before transferring south to Santa Barbara. McLaughlin is an elite floor-general who knocks down 40% of his threes and takes care of the ball extremely well. McLaughlin and fellow senior Devearl Ramsey are also catalysts on the defensive end, thanks to their ability to force turnovers. Add in frontcourt pieces like Amadou Sow (a first-team All-Big West selection) and Miles Norris (Oregon) and the Gauchos have the talent to push Creighton to the limit.

LIBERT Y (NO. 13 SEED, MIDWEST REGION) The Flames pulled a 12–5 upset over Mississippi State in the most recent NCAA tournament, and Oklahoma State should be on upset alert this week. Few teams in the country are as well-coached as Liberty is under Ritchie McKay, running a Virginia-style Pack-Line defense and highly efficient offense reliant on elite perimeter shooting. Perhaps most critically, Liberty has an elite wing defender in Elijah Cuffee who could potentially slow down likely No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. Liberty knocked off Mississippi State and South Carolina and played tight with Purdue early in the season. Drawing an Oklahoma State team that many believe is underseeded as a No. 4 isn’t the ideal matchup, but the Flames will be dangerous.

ABILENE CHRISTI AN (NO. 14 SEED, EAST REGION) One of the most impressive stories in college basketball is the emergence of the Abilene Christian program under Joe Golding. Golding inherited the program when it was a struggling Division II one at a school known more for football, but has helped the Wildcats successfully transition to Division I and now has a team that can win a game in the NCAA tournament. Golding, whose relationship with Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard has been well-documented, has built a mid-major version of the Red Raiders in Abilene. The Wildcats are as tough to crack as anyone on the defensive end, leading the nation in forcing turnovers and landing in the top 30 nationally in defensive efficiency per KenPom. Abilene played highly competitive games against Texas Tech and Arkansas in the non conference and should create headaches for Texas with its unique style of defense.

THE PICKS ARE IN! FIRST ROUND MARCH 19-20

GONZAGA

NORFOLK ST.

OAKLAHOMA

MISSOURI

CREIGHTON

UCSB

VIRGINIA

OHIO

USC

WICHITA ST.

KANSAS

EWASH

OREGON

VCU

IOWA

MICHIGAN

MT ST MARY’S

LSU

ST. BONA.

COLORADO

GEORGETOWN

FLORIDA ST.

UNCG

BYU

MICHIGAN ST.

TEXAS

ABIL

CONNECTICUT

MARYLAND

ALABAMA

IONA

SECOND ROUND MARCH 21-22

SWEET 16

MARCH 27-28

ELITE 8

MARCH 29-30

FINAL FOUR APRIL 3

NATIONAL CH

APR

GONZAGA GONZAGA OAKLAHOMA GONZAGA CREIGHTON OHIO OHIO

WEST

USC

GONZAGA

KANSAS KANSAS OREGON

NATIO CHAMPIO

OREGON OREGON IOWA

GONZAGA

MICHIGAN LSU LSU

INDIANAP

FLORIDA ST.

APR

GEORGETOWN FLORIDA ST. FLORIDA ST.

EAST

MICHIGAN ST. MICHIGAN ST. TEXAS

ALABAMA CONNECTICUT ALABAMA ALABAMA

GONZ

ALABAMA

HAMPIONSHIP

RIL 5

HERE ARE OUR NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT PICKS FOR THE 2021 BRACKET!

FINAL FOUR APRIL 3

SWEET 16

MARCH 27-28

SECOND ROUND MARCH 21-22

BAYLOR BAYLOR N. CAROLINA BAYLOR WINTHROP PURDUE PURDUE BAYLOR

SOUTH

TEXAS TECH TEXAS TECH ARKANSAS

OHIO ST.

ONAL ONSHIP

ZAGA

ELITE 8

MARCH 29-30

FLORIDA OHIO ST. OHIO ST.

BAYLOR

ILLINOIS ILLINOIS LOYOLA CHI.

POLIS, IN

OKLAST

RIL 5

TENNESSEE OKLAST OKLAST OKLAST

MIDWEST

SYRACUSE SYRACUSE W. VIRGINIA

HOUSTON RUTGERS HOUSTON HOUSTON

FIRST ROUND MARCH 19-20

BAYLOR

HARTFORD

N. CAROLINA

WISCONSIN

VILLANOVA

WINTHROP

PURDUE

NORTH TEXAS

TEXAS TECH

UTAH ST.

ARKANSAS

COLGATE

FLORIDA

VA. TECH

OHIO ST.

ORAL

ILLINOIS

DREXEL

LOYOLA CHI.

GATECH

TENNESSEE

OREGON ST.

OKLAST

LIBERTY

SDGST

SYRACUSE

W. VIRGINIA

MOREHD

CLEMSON

RUTGERS

HOUSTON

CLEV. ST.

NCAA MARCH MADNESS BRACKET TIPS The chances of having a perfect NCAA tournament bracket are so small that we’re talking a 1 in 120.2 billion chance. But winning bragging rights in your Bracket Challenge Group against friends? Those odds are more in your favor. So, what does it take for that to happen? Here are our top tips to win bragging rights in 2021. We are taking statistics over the past 5 tournaments from the NCAA March Madness Bracket Challenge.

DON’T FOCUS ON PICKING THE EARLY ROUND UPSE TS, AT LEAST FOR THE MOST PART. You’re not going to get every game right (probably!). Two of the last five BCG winners even got seven games wrong in the first round. You don’t have to pick every big upset, either. In fact, four of the last five BCG winners have had at least one “wrong” double-digit upset pick incorrectly picking a double-digit team to advance to the second round. In the last five years, 34 double-digit seeds pulled off first-round upsets to advance to be one of the last 32 teams. Our last five BGC champs combined to pick exactly half (17) of those surprising winners. It’s all about timing. Later games are worth more points, so dropping a game or two or seven (or more!) in the First Round won’t necessarily eliminate you. Hopefully all your losses come from teams that bow out before reaching the Sweet 16.

YOU WILL NEED TO WIN AT LEAST 50 GAMES. When filling out your BCG bracket, you have to pick winners in 63 games. The last five BCG victors picked the correct winner in 54, 50, 54, 51 and 53 games

in their respective winning years. That’s an average of 52.4 correct picks for the entire tournament. In other words, BCG winners get about 10 games wrong each year, on average. Correct picks are worth more the later you go, so a big percentage of the incorrect games must come in the early rounds. The five winners “lost” a combined 53 games in their brackets. Of those, 29 (54.7 percent) came in the first round, which is not surprising since 32 of the 63 games (50.8 percent) you have to pick are in that first round. About those 24 remaining losses after the 29 in the first? Seventeen of that 24, or 70.8 percent, showed up in the second round. In other words, you’re going to need to be close to perfect from the Sweet 16 on to win.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE N ATION AL CH AMPIONSHIP GAME It’s obvious but clear. If you rightly predict the title-game teams, chances are you’re looking down on almost everyone else on the leaderboard. As others come up empty on those big points late, the five winners in the past five years picked up clutch points for predicting finals like Virginia-Texas Tech in 2019 or North CarolinaGonzaga in 2017. That all sounds simple enough. But getting there is not easy.

WATCH YOUR ELITE EIGHT AND THEN YOUR FIN AL FOUR PICKS Don’t worry if you miss one of the No. 8 or No. 9 games (or even two, or three). If your Final Four and Elite Eight picks remain in

the bracket, you’re looking good. The last five BCG champs missed between zero and two Elite Eight teams with just one going a perfect 8/8. Combined, the five winners went 34-for40 on Elite Eight picks. Moving onto the Final Four, the last five BCG winners correctly picked 19 of the 20 Final Four teams: 2018 Cinderella Loyola Chicago the lone miss. That’s where the separation happens. It’s one thing to have all eight Elite Eight teams. It’s another to correctly pick the winners of those Elite Eight games.

FAST FACTS Here’s the TL/DR version of the odds of a perfect NCAA bracket: • 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (if you just guess or flip a coin) • 1 in 120.2 billion (if you know a little something about basketball)

JUST HOW RIDICULOUS IS IT TO PICK THE PERFECT BRACKE T… The numbers are way too large to fully wrap your head around, but here are a handful of other statistics for reference, compared to 9.2 quintillion. • There are 31.6 million seconds in a year, so 9.2 quintillion seconds is a quick 292 billion years. • There have been 5 trillion days since the Big Bang, so repeat the entire history of our universe 1.8 million times. • The Earth’s circumference is approximately 1.58 billion inches, so you’d have to walk around the planet 5.8 billion times.

SELECTION SUNDAY

WINNERS & LOSERS

The NCAA Tournament field is officially set after the committee announced the 68 teams going dancing during Sunday’s selection show. It was a great night for any team that heard its name called, but certain draws have left some programs in much stronger shape than others.

was at a neutral site, making their victory even more impressive.

Here are the winners and losers after

Kansas and Virginia loom as the third and fourth seed, respectively, but both also have early-season losses to Mark Few’s squad at a neutral site. Gonzaga averaged nearly 100 points on 58% shooting in their wins over Iowa,

Sunday’s bracket was released.

Kansas, and Virginia.

WINNERS

BIG TEN

The Big Ten led the way amongst all conferences by sending nine teams to the tournament. The conference is also represented at the top, with Michigan, Illinois, Ohio State, Iowa, and Purdue all snagging top four seeds. Beyond that, squads like Wisconsinand Michigan State are dangerous lower seeds with a strong pedigree come March. For a conference that’s been head and shoulders above the rest of the nation all season, Selection Sunday is a realization of its success. The league could be featured heavily in this year’s Final Four if things shake out favorably.

GONZ AGA

RICK PITINO Although Iona drew the highest-ranked No. 2 seed in Alabama, just making it to the Big Dance is a victory for the Hall of Fame head coach. Pitino became only the third bench boss to lead five different schools to the NCAA Tournament after guiding the Gaels past Fairfield in Saturday’s MAAC title game. Louisville fired the 68-year-old four years ago for his involvement in the pay-for-play scandal. Now Pitino’s back on college basketball’s biggest stage, while his former employer is on standby as one of four replacement teams.

LOSERS

ACC

The Bulldogs will face loads of pressure as they attempt to become the first team in 45 years to go undefeated from start-tofinish. However, the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed has plenty of reasons to feel good about its draw.

The ACC has struggled this year, from inconsistent play at the top of the league to downright awful teams at the bottom. While the conference finished tied for second overall with seven teams dancing, no school was selected higher than the No. 4 seed.

Gonzaga’s top threat in the West region is second-seeded Iowa. The two schools squared off in December, and the Zags’ balanced offensive attack overwhelmed the Hawkeyes. The matchup was the Bulldogs’ first in 17 days due to a COVID-19 pause and

It wasn’t just the top programs either - several mid-level squads were under-ranked as well. Georgia Tech’s conference championship victory over Florida State left it seeded No. 9, while Virginia Tech’s 9-4 conference record and victories over Virginia and

Villanova were only good enough for a No. 10 seed. With the offensivelychallenged Cavaliers and the up-anddown Seminoles marking the ACC’s two best hopes for sustained success in this year’s March Madness, it may be an underwhelming run for a typically strong league.

BLUE-BLOOD PROGRAMS The storyline of the season: The staggering lack of blue bloods showing up on folks’ March Madness brackets this year. Kentucky and Duke both missed the tournament outright for the first time since 1976, while North Carolina, Michigan State, and UCLA were all dealt a No. 8 seed or worse. Even Kansas - the only blue-blood with a high seed this year - received a tough draw with Eastern Washington, winners of 13 of its last 14, and potentially USC, a team led by likely lottery pick Evan Mobley. Louisville was considered by many to be a strong bubble team, but the Cardinals didn’t hear their name called on Sunday and will miss the tournament. While these historically elite programs still have tradition and notoriety on their side, they may not have any representation beyond March Madness’ first weekend.

CONFERENCE TOURNEY RUNNER-UPS The selection committee wasn’t kind to a pair of conference tournament runner-ups. Oklahoma State has been playing its best basketball of the season over the past month but only managed a No. 4 seed. The Cowboys have won eight of their past 10 games, including two victories over West Virginia and another against Baylor. Only Illinois has more Quad 1 wins this season than Oklahoma State, but Cade Cunningham and co. are somehow seeded below the Mountaineers and are in the same region as the Fighting Illini. LSU also got dealt a bad hand just hours after pushing sixth-ranked Alabama to the limit in the SEC title game. The Tigers will take on a stingy St. Bonaventure squad in their opening matchup before a potential Round of 32 showdown against Michigan.

BETTING REPORT

BETRIVERS.COM AND PLAYSUGARHOUSE.COM MARKET MOVERS & HANDLE After the coronavirus stopped March Madness last year, it’s back and ready for bettors’ brackets and the 2021 NCAA Tournament is ready to begin. With the First Four kicking things off on Thursday, bettors have been quick to place their bets on the first weekend of games and futures picks. Here’s the breakdown of how bettors on BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com are wagering on the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament is all about underdogs and upsets. The public is currently backing several underdogs to pull off first round upsets, including No. 12 seed Georgetown (+180)with 91% of the ML handle to beat No. 5 seed Colorado, No. 13 seed Winthrop (+215 ML)with 89% of the ML handle to beat No. 4 seed Villanova, No. 13 seed Ohio (+330 ML) with 86% of the ML handle to beat No. 4 seed Virginia, No. 12 UC-Santa Barbara (+235 ML)with 82% of ML handle to beat No. 5 seed Creighton ,and No. 14 seed Colgate (+370 ML)with 76% of the ML to beat No. 3 seed Arkansas. The most popular game to bet on since the unveiling of the bracket Winthrop vs. VIllanova with 11% of current game bets. The largest current first-round game bet is a $5,500 wager on Arkansas vs. Colgate Over 157.5 points (-108), with a potential payout of $10,615.

The NCAA Tournament begins with the First Four opening round on Thursday, March 18.

FIRST FOUR SCHEDULE & ODDS #16 Appalachian State (-3, -157 ML) vs. #16 Norfolk State (+132 ML). O/U 135.5 #11 Michigan State (-1.5, -124 ML) vs. #11 UCLA (+104 ML). O/U 136 #11 Wichita State (-2, -132 ML) vs. #11 Drake (+112 ML). O/U 139 #16 Texas Southern (-2.5, -143 ML) vs. Mount St. Mary’s (+120 ML). O/U 132.5

NCAA CH AMPIONSHIP FUTURES No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga (West) enters the tournament as the heavy betting favorite to cut down the nets. The public is backing the undefeated Bulldogs with 23% of championship bets and 36% of the championship handle. Gonzaga has been the heavy favorite all season long, and continues that trend, with the most futures bets since the bracket was unveiled. The No. 2 seed in Gonzaga’s region is Iowa, backed by the most futures bets and handle of any team not on

the No. 1 seed line. No. 1 seed Michigan (East) is the second-most backed team to win the NCAA Tournament by both bets (9.6%) and handle (10.8%), with No. 1 seed Baylor (South) responsible for 8% of championship bets and 7.9% of championship handle. No. 4 seed Oklahoma State, led by Cade Cunningham, the likely No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is one of the hottest teams in the country and has received the second-most NCAA Championship bets since the bracket was unveiled, trailing only Gonzaga.

ODDS TO WIN THE NCAA TOURN AMENT Gonzaga +215 (#1, West) Baylor +250 (#1, South) Illinois +650 (#1, Midwest) Michigan +700 (#1, East) Oklahoma State +1400 (#4, Midwest) Texas +1700 (#3, East) Texas Tech +2000 (#6, South) Ohio State +2000 (#2, South) Kansas +2000 (#3, West) Iowa +2000 (#2, West) Alabama +2000 (#2, East) Florida State +2000 (#4, East)

POINTSBET

MARKET MOVERS & INSIGHTS

POINTSBET ODDS TO WIN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

USE PROMO CODE SBHOOPS - BE T $20, WIN $150 IF ANY TEAM SCORES! TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

TRAVEL

PL ANE T HOLLY WOOD RESORT & CASINO AND THE LINQ HOTEL + EXPERIENCE TO RESUME OPERATIONS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK THIS MONTH Planet Hollywood’s Hotel and Additional Amenities Will Be Open Daily Beginning March 15, Followed by The LINQ Hotel + Experience Beginning March 22 Caesars Entertainment, Inc. just announced plans to resume hotel operations seven days a week at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning Monday, March 15, as well as at The LINQ Hotel +

Experience beginning Monday, March 22. Previously, the hotels accommodated weekend stays only, while the gaming floors have been operating 24/7 since the properties reopened in 2020.

tournament, pool season and more are around the corner, and we can’t wait to see more friendly faces on the casino floor.” In addition to the hotels, the following amenities will also be open seven days a week:

“We are excited to welcome even more guests back to two of our popular resorts seven days a week,” said Sean McBurney, Regional President of Las Vegas Operations for Caesars Entertainment. “With Governor Sisolak’s recent announcement, we are encouraged Las Vegas will continue to rebound beyond expectations. Spring break, the big college basketball

PL ANE T HOLLY WOOD RESORT & CASINO GAMING • Gaming Floor • Race & Sports Book FOOD AND BEVERAGE • Gordon Ramsay Burger • Extra Lounge • PH Shiver Frozen Cocktails • Café Hollywood

• Earl of Sandwich • Starbucks

THE LINQ HOTEL + EXPERIENCE GAMING • Gaming Floor • The BOOK FOOD AND BEVERAGE • Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen& Bar • Nook Express • Hash House A Go Go • 3535 • Purple Zebra • Re:Match Bar • Catalyst Bar POOL • Influence, The Pool at The LINQ Hotel + Experience Located at the center of the Strip, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino offers 2,500 beautifully redesigned guest rooms and suites showcasing some of the best views in town, along with endless options of thrilling gaming, distinguished dining and unparalleled shopping. Planet Hollywood’s well-known rooftop pool, THE SCENE Pool Deck, boasts two separate pool decks, two pool bars and 31 cabanas and daybeds with poolside bottle service and mobile ordering from the pool café. Access to the pool is complimentary for hotel guests only; cabana and daybed rentals are open to the public and can be purchased here: planethollywood.uvtix.com. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino continues to operate daily, offering visitors more than a mile of shops and tempting restaurants at the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. The center is home to a variety of notable retailers and eateries including M·A·C Cosmetics,

Sephora, The Raider Image, H&M, Footaction, Morphe, Quay Australia, Nacho Daddy, Cabo Wabo Cantina, Club Tattoo and more. To ensure the safety of customers, merchants and employees, the center requires masks in all public spaces and continues to implement robust cleaning procedures laid out by the CDC and public health officials. Miracle Mile Shops is currently open Sunday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some store and restaurant hours may vary. Located at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The LINQ Hotel + Experience offers a variety of exclusive experiences in one distinctive destination. Influence, The POOL at The LINQ Hotel + Experience provides a cooling escape a central bar full of signature cocktails, draft beer, frozen drinks and more for anyone 21 and older. Additionally, guests are just steps away from The LINQ Promenade – the open-air entertainment, retail and dining district with world-class attractions such as the High Roller, the world's tallest observation wheel, and Fly LINQ, the only zipline on the Strip. On top of all

these experiences, The LINQ Hotel + Experience also has approachable, fun and modern accommodations, including stylish Deluxe Poolside Cabana Rooms and Bunk Bed Deluxe Rooms. Days and hours of operation at all venues may vary. For a comprehensive list of amenities, and to make reservations, visit caesars. com. Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and The LINQ Hotel + Experience have implemented Caesars Entertainment’s new health and safety protocols, which enhance its existing plans and practices in these areas. All Caesars properties are focused on the well-being of Team Members, guests and the community, and continue to work to create an environment with high standards of sanitization and physical distancing practices. Among the enhanced health and safety protocols include more frequent cleaning and sanitization. Caesars has also implemented a health screening program for all employees. Team Members and guests are required to wear masks, which the Company makes available, at all Caesars properties.

MARCH MADNESS

FUTURE BETTING PRESENTED BY WILLIAM HILL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE BASKE TBALL CH AMPIONSHIP: L ATEST ODDS, TRENDS, NOTABLE BE TS Six wins! That’s the path from the Round of 64 to celebrating a national championship. For the William Hill bettors who have placed a college basketball championship futures wager, the countdown is on to reach that magic number of six and cash in that ticket. Gonzaga was atop the board at William Hill at +700 when the season began on Nov. 25, and the Bulldogs have held onto the pole position ahead of March Madness. Gonzaga is the +210 favorite after being listed at +220 on Selection Sunday. The shortest title odds Gonzaga had all season was +180 back in January. Selection Sunday was the first time all season that Baylor did not have the second-lowest title odds. Illinois leapfrogged past the Bears, and now sits at +400. Before the bracket was unveiled, Baylor (+450) was slightly ahead of both Illinois (+500) and Michigan (+500). Meanwhile, Baylor currently is at +500 and Michigan is close behind at +600. Baylor and Michigan were tied for the second-lowest title odds at +350 at the start of March, however the Wolverines never surpassed the Bears before their odds rose again. There’s also a team that has separated itself from the pack behind the four No. 1 seeds. Houston, Iowa and Ohio State were all tied for the fifth-lowest odds at 15/1 ahead of the bracket release. Now Houston stands alone at 13/1, whereas Iowa is at 18/1 with Alabama (who swung over slightly from 20/1) and Ohio State is nearby at 20/1. Some of the longer shots that had their odds shorten following the bracket release include Arkansas

(50/1 to 40/1), UConn (75/1 to 60/1), San Diego State (100/1 to 75/1) and Georgetown (200/1 to 100/1). On the other hand, teams that saw their odds drift include Texas (22/1 to 30/1), Kansas (35/1 to 45/1), Oregon (60/1 to 100/1) and Georgia Tech (60/1 to 125/1). WHICH TOP CONTENDERS AND LONG SHOTS H AVE CAPTURED THE AT TENTION OF WILLI AM HILL BE T TORS TO CUT DOWN THE NE TS? “Of teams that can win it, Michigan is our biggest liability,” said Nick Bogdanovich, Director of Trading for William Hill US. “UConn, San Diego State, BYU, they’re all six-figure losers. But overall, I’m pretty happy with our position.” Gonzaga leads the way in both total number of tickets (10%) and total dollars wagered (20%), highlighted by one New Jersey bettor putting down $15,000 on Gonzaga +800 for a total potential payout of $135,000. Iowa (8%) only trails Gonzaga in total number of tickets, with Illinois (7%), Michigan (7%) and Baylor (6%) all in range as well. Those teams also make up the top-5 in total dollars wagered, with Michigan ranking second in this category at 14%, followed by Baylor (11%), Illinois (7%) and Iowa (5%). One Illinois bettor laid $30,000 on Michigan +800, and then placed another $30,000 on Michigan +550 a couple days later. If the Wolverines were to win their first national title since 1989, the total payout on those wagers would be $465,000. Among the noteworthy futures bets on long shots, a Nevada bettor put $1,500 on North Carolina back when the Tar Heels were at 200/1 for a total potential payout of $301,500. North Carolina now resides at 75/1 ahead of its opening matchup against Wisconsin.

Other notable total potential payouts on futures bets at William Hill are $500 on BYU 600/1 ($300,500 total potential payout), $3,000 on UConn 85/1 ($258,000 total potential payout), two $100 bets on Georgetown 2500/1 ($250,100 total potential payouts each) and $1,000 on USC 200/1 ($201,000 total potential payout).

Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey Use Promo Code SPORTSBETRF

DUKE & KENTUCKY BOTH MISS NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 1976 MADNESS

Only in Covid times. The NCAA Tournament may be returning after last year's cancelation due to the coronavirus pandemic, but for the first time since 1976, Duke and Kentucky won't be a part of it. After a very challenging season for both powerhouse programs, the selection committee opted against calling either the Blue Devils or Wildcats' names on Sunday. Duke, which began the year ranked as the No. 9 team, saw the streak of 24 consecutive tournament appearances under Mike Krzyzewski come to an end. Only Kansas and North Carolina currently hold a longer run in March Madness appearances. There was brief buzz about the Blue Devils being a potential bubble team, but that ended with their abrupt departure from the ACC tournament due to a positive COVID-19 test following a win over Louisville. Without a deep run to strengthen their resume, Duke's 13-11 record simply wasn't enough for inclusion. There was no drama as to whether Kentucky was going to make the NCAA field this year, with the Wildcats' failure to win the SEC tournament ending their chances. John Calipari had never experienced a losing record in 11 seasons in Lexington, but a 9-16 campaign in 2020-21 sent the program to a new low under his watch. Kentucky lost nearly its entire production from last season and didn't get the production out of their prized freshman class this time around. But given Calipari's recruiting prowess, it likely won't be a long-term drop for the Wildcats.

ILLINOIS PLAYER AYO DOSUNMU PAYS TRIBUTE TO KOBE BRYANT WITH PHOTO AFTER WINNING BIG TEN TITLE After winning the Big Ten Tournament championship this weekend, University of Illinois player Ayo Dosunmu paid tribute to NBA star Kobe Bryant by recreating an iconic photo of the late athlete. On Sunday night, the Fighting Illini beat Ohio State 91-88 in overtime to win the Big Ten Tournament and will now move on to face Drexel in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Dosunmu, a 21-year-old native of Chicago is Illinois’ star player, and is widely credited with rejuvenating the school’s men’s basketball program. “It was crazy, thinking about all the things we’ve accomplished and

knowing how I came on my visit with coach [Brad] Underwood and I told him these are the things we can accomplish,” Dosunmu said after being named the tournament’s most outstanding player. “So to get up there, cut that net down and see that No. 1 seed come up there, it’s just an unreal feeling.” After the game, Dosunmu sat in a corner with the team’s championship trophy and posed for a picture he uploaded to Instagram. He included a second picture showing Bryant in a similar pose after winning the 2001 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In his caption, Dosunmu wrote “job’s not finished,” a quote Bryant famously said in response to a reporter who asked why he wasn’t happy with the 2-0 lead the Lakers had heading into Game 3 of the 2009 NBA Finals. The quote from Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, would become a rallying cry for the Lakers last year when the team, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis reached the 2020 NBA Finals. They eventually beat the Eastern Conference Champions, the Miami Heat, to claim the franchise’s 17th NBA title. It was their first championship since Bryant last won in 2010.

for it, but that’s why we are seeing increased value at 30-1 odds. Scorecast has the Cowboys making it to the final four against Baylor, who we know they can beat on the night. That should at least give us a chance to hedge our value as we get towards the business end of the tournament. They average 16 turnovers a game to rank 333rd in the Country, if they can protect the Basketball in the big moments, they have proven to be as good as anyone! They dominate off the glass and we all know how important rebounding can be in March.

THE WINNER - GONZAGA +210

MARCH MADNESS BEST BETS FROM TOP RATED HANDICAPPER MICHAEL MCCABE UPSE T ALERT - BEST VALUE BE T - OKL AHOM A STATE COWBOYS (+3000) Oklahoma State (20-8) are a legitimate threat to take out the Championship in 2021. With freshman star (and likely No. 1 NBA draft pick) Cade Cunningham anything is possible. The 6-8 forward averaged over 20 points per game this year and just led the Cowboys to an upset over Baylor in the Big 12 tournament semifinals. He followed that up with a 29-point outburst in a losing effort against Texas in the title game. Oklahoma State is the No. 4 seed in the Midwest region, where Illinois is the No. 1. Between that a potentially tough second-round matchup against the Tennessee-Oregon State winner (never mind a first-round matchup with the hot hand of Liberty), Oklahoma State will have its work cut out

WHY GONZ AGA WILL WIN THE 2021 NCAA TOURN AMENT Much like Villanova’s national championship-winning team in 2018, Gonzaga has felt like the most talented team in the country from the very start of the season. If anyone beats the Zags, it’s going to count as a major upset. Gonzaga’s days of being viewed as a mid-major are over. The Bulldogs went to the national championship game in 2017 and lost a close game to North Carolina. The Zags were battle-tested in the non-conference season, defeating Kansas, Iowa, Virginia, and more. Gonzaga maintained its perfect record by sweeping its way through every West Coast Conference opponent and now enter March Madness at 26-0 on the season. Gonzaga is full of star-power. Freshman guard Jalen Suggs was a five-star recruit who is currently projected as the No. 3 overall pick in our latest 2021 NBA mock draft. Senior wing Corey Kispert is one of the nation’s best three-point shooters, and is also being projected as an NBA lottery pick. There’s a

case to be made that sophomore center Drew Timme is the Zags’ most important player. All three have a chance to be named AllAmericans this year. Gonzaga has great depth in addition to its front line stars. Guards Joel Ayayi and Andrew Nembhard are college veterans who have played in many big games throughout the years, with the latter arriving as a transfer from Florida before this season. Anton Watson has given the Zags a versatile forward in the front court, while Julian Strawther, Dominick Harris, and Oumar Ballo have each given the program good minutes off the bench. The Zags will enter the field with the No. 1 rated offense and No. 10 rated defense according to efficiency metrics. Gonzaga plays fast, has shooters everywhere, and thrives in transition. It’s a team without many apparent weaknesses. No team has finished the college basketball season as an undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976. It’s so hard to go wire-to-wire with an unblemished record, but the Zags are good enough to do it and carve themselves into the record books.

CADE CUNNINGH AM, OKL AHOM A STATE, FRESHM AN +3800 BEST VALUE BE T NCAA TOURN AMENT MOST OUTSTANDING PL AYER After entering the season with considerable hype as the top freshman in the country, Cunningham has worn the mantle well. The proof lies more in Oklahoma State’s surprising team success than in his stats (19.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg) which, apart from a few too many turnovers, are nothing to sneeze at. It’s Cunningham’s

unflinching cool, supreme patience and feel for the flow of the game that makes him great. There are no real holes in his skill set, and he’s not someone you want to see at the end of a close game. Cunningham’s ingenuity and consistency set him apart, and the Cowboys wouldn’t be close to the tournament picture, much less a favorable seed, without him. Long story short, if the Cowboys are going to the top 4 and potentially sneak into the Championship game, Cunningham will be the reason.

THE ROAD TO THE CH AMPIONSHIP GAME While the field has been announced, it is still subject to change. Because of the pandemic, the NCAA has installed a 48-hour window for replacement teams to be named if a program can’t meet the medical protocol. We already saw Duke, Kansas, and Virginia get booted from their conference tournaments for a positive test, so there remains a very real possibility Covid could impact the bracket. WEST REGION I expect Gonzaga to skate through to the Sweet 16 after beating No. 8 seed Oklahoma in the round of 32. We’ll take Ohio over Creighton in the Sweet 16, and then the Zags over the Bobcats. On the bottom half of the region, we’ll go with Kansas over USC in the round of 32, and Oregon over Iowa. We’ll take Oregon to the Elite Eight with a win over Kansas until they fall to Gonzaga. EAST REGION We’ll take LSU making the Sweet 16 over top seed Michigan. We’ll pick Georgetown to win their first game with an upset of Colorado before losing to Florida State. The Seminoles will then beat the Tigers to advance to the Elite Eight.

Alabama will beat UConn in the round of 32, and then beat Michigan State in the Sweet 16. The Spartans need to win a play-in game against UCLA, but then they can beat BYU and Texas. The Crimson Tide will then defeat Florida State to make the Final Four. SOUTH REGION Baylor is a heavy favorite in the South region, but they’ll have a hard time against North Carolina in the round of 32 before coming away with the win. The Bears will defeat Purdue in the Sweet 16. If you’re looking for an upset, pick Winthrop over Villanova in the first round. Texas Tech and Arkansas should be a great round of 32 matchup and we’ll take Chris Beard and the Red Raiders in that one. Ohio State should have a manageable path to the Sweet 16. Forecast have Ohio State making the Elite Eight and then loses to Baylor. MIDWEST REGION This is the region of death in the bracket. Illinois is the No. 1 seed in the Midwest, but they will have an extremely tough matchup against Loyola. We’ll pick the Illini to win a thriller and bust into the Sweet 16 against Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State. We’ll pick Cade’s Cowboys over Illinois in the Sweet 16. I like Syracuse over San Diego State and West Virginia. The Orange’s run will end with a loss to Houston. The Cougars will then lose to Oklahoma State. Cade Cunningham is going to the Final Four! 2021 FIN AL FOUR PREDICTIONS Gonzaga will beat Alabama. Baylor will fall in an upset to Oklahoma State in a Big 12 tournament semifinals rematch. We’ll take Gonzaga to beat Oklahoma State for the national title.

TOP 25

MEN’S PLAYERS

OF THE

2021-2021

COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON The men's 2021 NCAA tournament will kick off with the First Four, and all will be right again in the college basketball world after a year without March Madness. As special as the sport is in March, we easily forget an entire season's worth of games that have already happened. Heading into March Madness, we have ranked the top 25 men's players of the regular season, a list that was previously headed by the likes of Zion Williamson. We take into account everything from statistics, year-to-year growth, importance to team and overall performance. This could lead to some value in defining our Best Bets for most outstanding player of the tournament. 25. HERBERT JONES, AL ABAM A, SENIOR The Crimson Tide have been one of the surprises of the season, and the do-it-all senior has been

a major part of that. Jones isn't going to blow anybody away with his offensive ability or stats, but his value goes well beyond the box score as the perfect glue for Nate Oats's system. He rebounds, blocks shots, gets to the free throw line and has even developed a reliable outside shot as a senior after making just one of his 14 perimeter attempts a season ago. He's also one of the SEC's best defenders. 24. CAMERON THOM AS LSU, FRESHM AN Say what you want about Thomas’s shot selection, but LSU has needed every bucket, and there have been many. It’s rare to find a true freshman capable of shouldering a scoring load in the way he has, and he’s been one of the best when it comes to drawing fouls—converting free throws at an 87.6% clip. That skill has helped cover for his streaky long-distance shooting. Thomas isn’t

a perfect player, but he’s advanced when it comes to the things he does well, and the Tigers might not be a tourney-caliber team without him. 23. CAMERON KRUT WIG LOYOL A CHICAGO, SENIOR Krutwig is college basketball’s Nikola Jokic, a hefty big man who wows much more with finesse and passing ability than he does with athleticism. The Algonquin, Ill., native won MVC Player of the Year honors this season and is one of just four players in conference history with at least 1,500 career points, 800 rebounds and 300 assists. The others? Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson and Hersey Hawkins. Krutwig has been essential in the growth of Loyola Chicago into a mid-major power, starting at center as a freshman on the Rambler team that made the Final Four and now leading the way for a team that might be even better than that one.

22. JOEL AYAYI GONZ AGA, JUNIOR The fact that Ayayi is generally recognized as his team’s fourthbest player tells you plenty as to why the Zags have been so utterly dominant. He excels at making quick-decisions, moving the ball and generally filling in the gaps, operating in a perfect role that plays to his strengths. Ayayi is arguably the best rebounding guard in the country, a capable shooter and premier off-ball cutter, hardly ever forcing a bad shot and playing with a strong understanding of his capabilities. Gonzaga would still be good without him, but he’s a major reason why that team is great.

21. ISAI AH LIVERS MICHIGAN, SENIOR Livers’s continued improvement throughout his college career has been fun to watch. As a freshman, he was a key rotation player and shooter for a Wolverines team that reached the national championship game. He has incrementally added to his game every year since, improving this season both as a shooter and facilitator to help key the Wolverines to a terrific season. Livers has also been lauded for his leadership with this team, helping mesh together a team that features talented freshmen, transfers and returning talent all in one. Livers will likely surpass 1,000

career points early in the Big Ten tournament. 20. SANDRO M AMUKEL ASHVILI SE TON H ALL, SENIOR Mamukelashvili is the definition of a point forward, a 6-foot-11 big guy who can handle the ball, pass and shoot. With Seton Hall PG Bryce Aiken on the shelf for much of the year due to multiple injuries, Mamukelashvili has had a larger role in creating offense for the Pirates and has thrived. He opened his season with 22 points and 10 rebounds at Louisville and hasn’t looked back since, scoring 20 or more 11 times, including a careerhigh 32 against rival St. John’s. Mamukelashvili is the type of player

who can single-handedly win you a game in March, and his decision this summer to return to Seton Hall after testing the NBA waters turned out to be season-changing for the Pirates. 19. QUENTIN GRIMES HOUSTON, JUNIOR After a disappointing freshman season at Kansas, Grimes has turned his career around at Houston and blossomed into one of college basketball’s most prolific scorers. Grimes’s biggest area of improvement this season has been as a shooter: He is the only highmajor player in the country shooting at least 39% from deep on three or more makes per game. Add in backcourt mates Marcus Sasser (14.0 ppg) and DeJon Jarreau (10.5 ppg, 4.1 apg), and the Cougars have a three-headed monster capable of getting buckets against anyone in college basketball. 18. JEREMI AH ROBINSONEARL,VILL ANOVA, SOPHOMORE Robinson-Earl has become an unusual offensive fulcrum for Villanova—something short of a true post player, not quite a perimeter threat, but effective nonetheless. His reliable work on the glass, intelligent passing and defensive positioning have been a stabilizing force the past two seasons, and he emerged as the Wildcats’ leading scorer this season while improving his overall efficiency. His impact doesn’t always manifest in his box score stats, but Robinson-Earl remains among the most versatile bigs in the game and a unique advantage for his team. 17. SAM H AUSER VIRGINI A, SENIOR There was good reason the elder Hauser brother looked like an excellent fit for Tony Bennett's offense when he transferred in two years ago. After sitting out a year,

the 6’ 8” senior has played a crucial role for the Cavaliers as expected, remaining as efficient a shooter as ever while canning 59.4% of his twos and 44.4% of his threes and rarely being forced into errors. Hauser is a major reason why Virginia’s offense has bounced back so effectively in 2020–21 after its dismal showing last season. 16. E.J. LIDDELL, OHIO STATE, SOPHOMORE If you have to pinpoint one player driving a surprisingly good Ohio State team, it’s Liddell, whose impact is often subtle but always meaningful. At 6’ 7”, 240 pounds, he’s not dominating with pure skill or physicality, but he’s been remarkably effective at making the simple plays, and after a quiet freshman year has turned himself into a dangerous jump shooter. His work on the defensive glass and ability to defend taller players has been a valuable catch-all for a team that lacks size. Liddell’s efficiency and embrace of critical tasks has made all the difference for what’s become a hyper-efficient offensive team. He should be more of a household name before long. 15. TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS INDI AN A, SOPHOMORE The brilliance of Jackson-Davis has been overshadowed by an underwhelming season in Bloomington, but the sophomore big man is the first Hoosier in more than 25 years to average at least 19 points and nine rebounds per game. Jackson-Davis is one of the nation’s most productive post players, an old-school big who hasn’t attempted a three all season but wears you down with his ability to outwork you on the inside. Perhaps the best news for Indiana fans is that his throwback game doesn’t make him as appealing an NBA player, so there’s a good chance he returns

to school and wrecks Big Ten frontcourts for at least one more year. 14. JUSTIN CH AMPAGNIE PIT T, SOPHOMORE Pitt’s season nosedived in late January, but Champagnie has been an irrepressibly productive force all season, emerging as an elite rebounder and a player who can do a lot of damage without needing his number called. His motor and instincts in the paint led to big numbers across the board, and his effort on both ends kept the Panthers competitive, even in a string of narrow February losses. He’s been an automatic double double all season (18.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg), and while circumstance has limited his time in the spotlight, he’s quite arguably been the ACC’s best player. 13. JAMES BOUKNIGHT UCONN, SOPHOMORE Although Bouknight missed a large chunk of the season with an elbow injury, he’s more than proven himself as one of the most dangerous scorers around and a player who demands constant attention from the opposition. He’s tough, athletic, and capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor. A healthy Bouknight makes UConn a dangerous team, and he excels at reading defenses, taking the correct shot and finishing with acrobatic flair. He’ll be in the NBA before long, but if he’s all the way back to full strength, the Huskies could make noise in March. 12. DAVION MITCHELL BAYLOR, JUNIOR It’s hard to say that anyone should have seen Mitchell’s leap from defensive pest to offensive catalyst coming, but he’s blossomed into an excellent two-way player and a tonesetting player for the Bears, pairing with Jared Butler to form arguably

the best backcourt in the country. In addition to hounding opposing ball handlers, Mitchell evolved into a consistent, dangerous shooter off the dribble and a quality distributor, taking on a bigger offensive role comfortably and molding himself into an NBA prospect. He’s a difference-maker who probably deserves more credit in the grand scheme of Baylor’s success. 11. HUNTER DICKINSON MICHIGAN, FRESHM AN It didn't take long for Dickinson to out-play his four-star recruiting ranking in his first year in Ann Arbor, and he currently stands as the highest-ranked freshman on KenPom's Player of the Year ratings. The 7' 1" big man has been a critical piece of the Wolverines' immense success this season, wearing down opposing teams down low while shooting 60.8% from two and proving to be one of the Big Ten's best rebounders. While he does have a tendency to disappear at times offensively, any Michigan path to the national title will likely require him being an interior threat more often than not. 10. CHRIS DUARTE OREGON, SENIOR Duarte is one of the oldest players in the college game, but he plays like it, amassing some ridiculous shooting splits (62.3% from two, 44.0% from three, 80.6% on free throws) and elite block and steal rates and winning a number of games for an Oregon team that entered the year with major backcourt concerns. He’s been truly elite from an efficiency standpoint without ever hijacking the Ducks’ offense, and has done it at both ends of the floor on a regular basis. From an individual perspective, Duarte’s remarkable, under-the-radar season holds up especially well.

9. FRANZ WAGNER MICHIGAN, SOPHOMORE Wagner’s sophomore leap has been a driving factor behind Michigan’s success, bolstering the team on both ends of the floor and requiring only a modest diet of shots. The strides he’s made as a playmaker and legitimately versatile defender turned him into the Wolverines’ most essential piece, capable of guarding three positions, knocking down shots and finding open teammates in a pinch. Wagner has shouldered a critical role on a team primarily geared to score by committee, rarely taking a bad shot and displaying a strong understanding of the floor around him. It’s gotten harder and harder to nitpick his game. 8. JALEN SUGGS, GONZ AGA, FRESHM AN It’s difficult to separate Gonzaga’s three stars from one another— they’re all impactful in different ways—but it’s Suggs’s relentless guard play that makes the Zags such a dangerous transition team. His athletic gifts and aggressive drives to the paint make him a load for opponents to handle, and a near-impossible cover in open space, where his playmaking skills really shine. On the defensive end, Suggs’s embrace of tough assignments has set the tone for his entire team. He’s been as reliable as any freshman star and a steady engine for the best team in the country. 7. DREW TIMME GONZ AGA, SOPHOMORE As the heir apparent in the long line of standout Gonzaga big men, Timme looked primed for a breakout at the beginning of the season, and he's more than realized that potential as a sophomore. Featuring excellent footwork in the paint, a soft touch and the ability to run the floor, he's been frustrating defenses

all season while averaging 18.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, all while shooting a ridiculous 67.6% on twopoint shots. 6. EVAN MOBLEY USC, FRESHM AN Mobley has been the nation’s premier defensive anchor and one of its most valuable players on whole, taking a USC team that returned just two rotation players and keeping them atop the Pac-12 with his unique skill set. Gifted with immense length and timing as a shot blocker, Mobley wipes away huge chunks of the floor by simply being present. He’s also been a good offensive focal point for the Trojans, with inside-out game and strong passing skills. Mobley’s all-around impact on winning as a true freshman has been wildly impressive. 5. JARED BUTLER BAYLOR, JUNIOR Baylor’s overwhelming success has been a group effort, but Butler, already the team’s leader, has elevated his play across the board, upping his shooting percentages on twos (54.9%) and threes (44.4%), as well as his assist and steal rates. He’s the Bears’ most creative player, their go-to guy when buckets are scarce, and one of the most reliable players anywhere. Butler’s impact on both ends of the floor is irreplaceable, and Baylor wouldn’t be at the forefront of the title conversation without him. He’s become quite arguably the best true point guard in college hoops. 4. AYO DOSUNMU ILLINOIS, JUNIOR Dosunmu came back to Champaign to finish what he started at Illinois, and he'll lead the team to not only their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013, but also as a No. 1 seed. The 6' 5" guard has turned himself into a National

Player of the Year candidate thanks to an improved outside shot and a well-earned reputation as the most clutch player in college basketball. When Illinois needs a bucket, Dosunmu always seems to come through, and not even a late-season broken nose could keep him down long. He's made the most of an improved supporting cast to produce his strongest individual season yet. 3. CADE CUNNINGH AM OKL AHOM A STATE, FRESHM AN +3800 BEST VALUE BE T After entering the season with considerable hype as the top freshman in the country, Cunningham has worn the mantle well. The proof lies more in Oklahoma State’s surprising team success than in his stats (19.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg) which, apart from a few too many turnovers, are nothing to sneeze at. It’s Cunningham’s unflinching cool, supreme patience and feel for the flow of the game that makes him great. There are no real holes in his skill set, and he’s not someone you want to see at the end of a close game. Cunningham’s ingenuity and consistency set him apart, and the Cowboys wouldn’t be close to the tournament picture, much less a favorable seed, without him. 2. COREY KISPERT GONZ AGA, SENIOR Kispert is a true modern college basketball success story: someone who stayed all four years and improved each season as he took on more and more responsibility, eventually blossoming into a genuine star as a senior. A sniper from deep who has become equally deadly inside the arc this year, Kispert is one of the most efficient players in the nation. And on a juggernaut Gonzaga team filled with capable weapons, don't be surprised if the senior is the one the

Zags would turn to with the game on the line in March. 1. LUKA GARZ A IOWA, SENIOR - BEST BE T +1500 Garza will finish his career as the most immovable force in college basketball, anchoring Iowa with his post play and a perfected blend of physicality and finesse around the basket. After netting a host of major awards as a junior, Garza returned

to school with an improved jumper (43% from three) and turned in a second prolific season, blending productivity and efficiency in a manner seldom seen. The Hawkeyes hitched their wagon to him and never looked back. On most nights, their potent offense covers for what they lack as a group defensively, simply because Garza is so effective. He’s the most dominant player in the sport on a nightly basis.

NCAA TOURNAMENT MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER ODDS PROVIDED BY POINTSBET COREY KISPERT

+550

AYO DOSUNMU

+600

DREW TIMME

+650

JARED BUTLER

+750

JALEN SUGGS

+1300

FRANZ WAGNER

+1500

LUKA GARZ A

+1500

HUNTER DICKINSON

+1800

QUENTIN GRIMES

+1900

JOEL AYAYI

+2500

FIT FROM HOME iFIT PUSHES THE LIMIT OF VIRTUAL FITNESS

LIVE FROM MOUNT EVEREST Over the past year, online fitness options like Zoom workouts and IG Live sweat sessions have shown us that you really don’t need a gym in order to get your workouts in. However, they probably also exposed you to a bit more than you bargained for—like, say, your superstar influencer trainer’s dirty microwave in the background. (And how did they get sauce on the outside of the door, anyway?) That said, online training has opened up a world of possibilities, allowing us to explore new trainers, modalities, and even global destinations via workouts streamed from far-flung

locations across the globe. So, are you ready for the most epic virtual workout of all? This first-of-its-kind workout, “A Sunrise Trek on Everest,” will be available to iFit members and nonmembers alike: • For iFit’s 4.7 million members, to stream the Live workout, tap the “On Air'' icon on the iFit user interface of the iFit-enabled equipment or the iFit app. Select “A Sunrise Trek on Everest'' up to 10 minutes before the live workout begins.

• Non-members can access the workout through a 30-day free trial of the iFit app, available on iOS and Android. Once the app is downloaded to their phone or tablet, they simply select the “On Air” icon to join up to 10 minutes before the live workout begins.

“A SUNRISE TREK ON EVEREST” • The live workout begins streaming on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 8 p.m. EST to coincide with sunrise on Mt. Everest • The approximately 30-minute virtual hike will lead viewers up Kala Patthar, an iconic trail at 18,300 feet with breathtaking views of Everest’s summit • iFit Guides Kenton Cool, Lydia Bradey, and Ang Tshering Lama— Everest-experienced guides and mountaineers—will lead the workout • iFit members can add the workout to their iFit schedule beginning March 16 • “A Sunrise Trek on Everest '' will be added to iFit’s on-demand workout library following the live workout • Due to streaming capacity in the remote and high-altitude Mt. Everest region, capacity for the workout will be limited If readers own or have access to an iFit-connected treadmill or elliptical from a brand like NordicTrack, ProForm, or Freemotion, the virtual experience will be even more lifelike. One of iFit’s claims to fame is its patented LiveAdjust technology, which automatically

increases and decreases compatible equipment’s incline, decline, speed, and resistance during workouts. DURING “A SUNRISE TREK ON EVEREST,” IFIT WILL AUTOM ATICALLY ADJUST THE INCLINE OF THESE M ACHINES IN REAL TIME TO M ATCH THE ACTUAL TERRAIN OF THE TRAIL ON EVEREST!

MEE T THE IFIT GUIDES KENTON COOL Cool has summited Mt. Everest a total of 14 times in his mountaineering career, once reaching the daunting peak twice in the same week. LYDI A BRADEY Bradey is the first woman to successfully summit Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen. She is also the only woman to have successfully guided a group of climbers to Everest’s summit five times. ANG TSHERING L AM A In 2017, Lama—a passionate climber and philanthropist—was part of the world’s highest-altitude rescue, during which he and his team saved two climbers at 28,215 feet elevation on Everest.

“EVEREST: A TREK TO BASE CAMP” SERIES A 12-person iFit team is currently on location on Mt. Everest, filming an 18-part workout series titled “Everest: A Trek to Base Camp.” The series, scheduled to release late spring 2021, consists of steadystate cardio treks with New Zealand mountaineer and Everest summiter Lydia Bradey, exhilarating climbs with expert alpinist Kenton Cool, and active recovery sessions with adventure enthusiast Ang Tshering Lama. In addition to the workouts,

members can look forward to learning about the history and culture of Nepal as they soak up the scenery and make their way to Mt. Everest Base Camp.

ABOUT iFIT iFit is the patented connected fitness platform that powers NordicTrack and ProForm equipment for the home, and Freemotion at health clubs. ICON, the creator and owner of iFit, pioneered interactive fitness and was issued its first of many patents for its connected fitness training technology in the early 2000s. Founded with the belief that consumers would benefit from interactive, personal training experiences at home, iFit’s trainerled, streaming workouts are now trusted by consumers around the world, including 4.7 million members and one million paid subscribers. iFit offers workout options for every fitness level and interest, from bodyweight training, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, mobility, and boxing via the iFit app to connected fitness

workouts on NordicTrack, ProForm, and Freemotion equipment. Patented interactive technology allows iFit Trainers to lead iFit members through immersive workouts that automatically adjust the incline, decline, speed, and resistance of their equipment. iFit interactive content powers NordicTrack, ProForm and Freemotion treadmills, stationary bikes, rowers, ellipticals, strength machines and the iFit app. The iFit app is available for both iOS and Android, as well as on Apple TV, Android TV, Google Chromecast, Google TV, and Amazon Fire TV. ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. is a global health and fitness leader and owner of iFit, NordicTrack, ProForm, Freemotion and other fitness brands. Based in Logan, Utah, the 43-year old company has a multi-decade heritage of innovation and quality. ICON currently holds more than 330 patents, with more than 80 pending, and its products are sold in 116 countries. iFit workouts are streamed in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese, with more languages planned for 2021.

We fly to more countries than any other airline.

Sportsbet Magazine March Madness Exclusive

Articles inside

Bracket Busters

Selection Sunday

Best Bets from Top

Betting Report

Future Betting by