DraftKings Network: All Posts by Lance CartelliAnother great SB Nation bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52893/DKN_Favicon_32x32..png2024-03-17T15:59:56-07:00https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/authors/lance-cartelli/rss2024-03-17T15:59:56-07:002024-03-17T15:59:56-07:00Full 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket
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<img alt="Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan celebrates as the clock winds down against Marquette Golden Eagles in the second half at Madison Square Garden.&nbsp;" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/etIWnJigVtONv3HvRsiCb2na74k=/0x147:3337x2372/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213989/usa_today_22794963.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We go over everything you need to know about how the full bracket comes together for the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.</p> <p id="XEesrr">The field is set for the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The bracket is topped by the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/connecticut-huskies--odds" data-source="encore">Connecticut Huskies</a> as the No. 1 overall seed. The rest of the No. 1 seeds include Houston, Purdue, and North Carolina.</p>
<p id="xcv5mN">The tournament opens on Tuesday and Wednesday with the First Four matchups in Dayton, Ohio. Tuesday will see No. 10 Colorado State face No. 10 Virginia and No. 16 Wagner facing No. 16 Howard. Wednesday will see No. 10 Colorado face No. 10 Boise State and No. 16 Grambling face No. 16 Montana State.</p>
<p id="X0Isvp">The First Four will air exclusively on TruTV (welcome back to that channel!). The first and second rounds will rotate between CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight air the following week on CBS and TBS. The Final Four will air exclusively on TBS, with the National Semifinals on Saturday, April 6 and the National Finals on Monday, April 8.</p>
<h1 id="Nmt8Oi">First Four</h1>
<p id="YqTtzE">Tuesday: No. 16 Howard vs. No. 16 Wagner</p>
<p id="wIBvKZ">Tuesday: No. 10 Virginia vs. No. 10 Colorado State</p>
<p id="Ia6ukZ">Wednesday: No. 16 Montana State vs. No. 16 Grambling State</p>
<p id="0vTb5r">Wednesday: No. 10 Boise State vs. No. 10 Colorado</p>
<h1 id="vUwjDU">East Region</h1>
<p id="fBrOS8">No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Stetson</p>
<p id="23sJQA">No. 8 FAU vs. No. 9 Northwestern</p>
<p id="k4Qw1m">No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 12 UAB</p>
<p id="9CNDLG">No. 4 Auburn vs. No. 13 Yale</p>
<p id="k6tlNb">No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Duquesne</p>
<p id="BsnMft">No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Morehead State</p>
<p id="j5s9kW">No. 7 Washington State vs. No. 10 Drake</p>
<p id="DflUAg">No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 South Dakota State</p>
<h1 id="ZsJXlC">South Region</h1>
<p id="OgCKRd">No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 Longwood</p>
<p id="s1IpXP">No. 8 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Texas A&M</p>
<p id="t88Ojj">No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 James Madison</p>
<p id="uXMoFz">No. 4 Duke vs. No. 13 Vermont </p>
<p id="dWBOSl">No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 NC State</p>
<p id="bPXx3w">No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oakland</p>
<p id="4go5ji">No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Boise State/Colorado</p>
<p id="tpUE26">No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky</p>
<h1 id="xqkKEa">Midwest Region</h1>
<p id="1710714182.592629">No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Montana State/Grambling State </p>
<p id="XtlCHg">No. 8 Utah State vs. No. 9 TCU </p>
<p id="EPoVJg">No. 5 Gonzaga vs. No. 12 McNeese State </p>
<p id="B5GLXf">No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Samford</p>
<p id="qB8m1u">No. 6 South Carolina vs. No. 11 Oregon </p>
<p id="qPCYZy">No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Akron </p>
<p id="UhJy0H">No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 Virginia/Colorado State </p>
<p id="aTCdqI">No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Saint Peter’s </p>
<h1 id="J4KwLM">West Region</h1>
<p id="1710714747.953819">No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Howard/Wagner </p>
<p id="es3BJw">No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Michigan State </p>
<p id="tRYdxo">No. 5 Saint Mary’s vs. No 12 Grand Canyon </p>
<p id="2Uqitj">No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 Charleston </p>
<p id="nv3CLx">No. 6 Clemson vs. No. 11 New Mexico</p>
<p id="YqFEiH">No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 Colgate</p>
<p id="kLu5Em">No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Nevada</p>
<p id="IVhJCH">No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Long Beach State </p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24104019/march-madness-2024-bracket-release-selection-sunday-time-schedule-updates-first-round-matchups-seedsLance CartelliDavid Fucillo2024-03-17T15:41:08-07:002024-03-17T15:41:08-07:00No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Long Beach State: Pick, prediction, preview, key stats for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="Oregon v Arizona" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nQZ3QC6sM98JBXElKGZVfWAkfFo=/0x0:3570x2380/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213925/2089754080.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Becker/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>No. 2 Arizona and No. 15 Long Beach State face off in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA tournament. We’ve got an initial preview of the game and make predictions.</p> <p id="FxTrR9">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/arizona-wildcats--odds" data-source="encore">Arizona Wildcats</a> will take on the No. 15 Long Beach State in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Arizona opens as a 21.5-point favorite at <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured" data-source="encore">DraftKings Sportsbook</a>.</p>
<p id="vtmJz3">Below we’ll preview both teams, including analysis and key stats while also providing our prediction. </p>
<h3 id="eS18QJ">Arizona key stats</h3>
<p id="2hHmLM"><strong>NET: </strong>4</p>
<p id="M5KhQC"><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>6</p>
<p id="cnC4q6"><strong>KenPom O: </strong>8</p>
<p id="lEr1yw"><strong>KenPom D: </strong>12</p>
<p id="sCzBoT"><strong>Record: </strong>25-8</p>
<p id="4xVfgN"><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>25</p>
<p id="5bAL31"><strong>Conference: </strong>Pac-12</p>
<p id="54Vmik"><strong>Conference Record: </strong>15-5</p>
<p id="2sknyt"><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>8-3</p>
<p id="0dkZpF">Arizona enters the NCAA Tournament operating at one of the fastest and most efficient offensive tempos in the entire country. The Wildcats averaged roughly 90 points per game throughout the regular season, second only to Alabama in scoring. Several of their games were blowouts as they had one of the highest average scoring margins in the entire country. Most of those big wins came against a mediocre Pac-12 slate, so we’ll see if they can translate that to the Big Dance.</p>
<h3 id="OSinQs">Long Beach State key stats</h3>
<p id="rqZWYO"><strong>NET: </strong>170</p>
<p id="ERJqip"><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>163</p>
<p id="k51W4f"><strong>KenPom O: </strong>145</p>
<p id="z6d8Pp"><strong>KenPom D: </strong>210</p>
<p id="XFx30z"><strong>Record: </strong>21-14</p>
<p id="k35Gvs"><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>182</p>
<p id="JePkQW"><strong>Conference: </strong>Big West</p>
<p id="e4VLFZ"><strong>Conference Record: </strong>10-10</p>
<p id="tU6uxg"><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>0-1</p>
<p id="UEHUqE">Long Beach State is in the Big Dance for the first time in 12 years and managed to extend the tenure of fired head coach Dan Monson. The Beach like to up the tempo on offense as they have an average possession length of 15.4 seconds. They do most of their work inside of the arc as 57.1% of their points have come from two.</p>
<p id="kU4O40"><strong>Pick: </strong>Arizona Wildcats</p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24102341/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-arizona-vs-long-beach-state-pick-prediction-preview-key-statsLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:39:17-07:002024-03-17T15:39:17-07:00No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Long Beach State: Betting odds, spread, total for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="Oregon v Arizona" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pu3H1lU9EeH-SBjUfFzCKwe416c=/0x0:4811x3207/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213909/2089756680.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Becker/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We go over the opening odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for Arizona vs. Long Beach State in March Madness 2024. </p> <p id="sKkXxq">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/arizona-wildcats--odds" data-source="encore">Arizona Wildcats</a> will battle No. 15 Long Beach State on Thursday, March 21, in Salt Lake City, Utah. </p>
<p id="uFqFfV">Arizona has stood tall in its final season in the Pac-12 and enters the NCAA Tournament in search of its first Final Four appearance since 2001. Senior center Oumar Ballo stepped up by averaging a double-double throughout the regular season while North Carolina transfer Caleb Love made an impact with just over 19 points per game.</p>
<p id="cLSqTY">Last year, Arizona entered the Big Dance as a two-seed, only to be clipped by 15-seed Princeton in the first round. Can Tommy Lloyd’s crew get some redemption this time around?</p>
<p id="M83cvG"><strong>Arizona Wildcats</strong></p>
<p id="PrruPs"><strong>NET: </strong>4<br><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>6<br><strong>KenPom O: </strong>8<br><strong>KenPom D: </strong>12<br><strong>Record: </strong>25-8<br><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>25<br><strong>Conference: </strong>Pac-12<br><strong>Conference Record: </strong>15-5<br><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>8-3</p>
<p id="yWsx58">Long Beach State is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and has one of the more intriguing stories heading into the Big Dance. The school announced last week that it would be parting ways with longtime head coach Dan Monson and would allow him to finish out the season. So what did his players do? They of course went on a surprise run through the Big West Tournament, knocking off UC Davis in the championship game to extend the tenure of their fired head coach.</p>
<p id="3OP2ZR">Junior forward Aboubacar Traore is the player to watch for the Beach as he earned First Team Big West honors with an average of 12 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Senior guard Marcus Tsohonis is their leading scorer with an average of 17.8 ppg.</p>
<p id="3UA944"><strong>Long Beach State</strong></p>
<p id="ldUpzO"><strong>NET: </strong>170<br><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>163<br><strong>KenPom O: </strong>145<br><strong>KenPom D: </strong>210<br><strong>Record: </strong>21-14<br><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>182<br><strong>Conference: </strong>Big West<br><strong>Conference Record: </strong>10-10<br><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>0-1</p>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Arizona vs. Long Beach State odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX">Odds from <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore">DraftKings Sportsbook</a></p>
<p id="NVHHeQ"><strong>Spread</strong>: Arizona -21.5, Long Beach State +21.5<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 159.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: Arizona -8000, Long Beach State +2200</p>
<p id="mrnK6u"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24100003/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-first-round-arizona-vs-long-beach-state-odds-spread-totalLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:33:02-07:002024-03-17T15:33:02-07:00No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Saint Peter’s: Pick, prediction, preview, key stats for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 10 SEC Tournament - Tennessee vs Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6zfb7bKR2_6OYiSXe99_OiGj0vk=/0x67:3981x2721/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213877/1248006799.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>No. 2 Tennessee and No. 15 Saint Peter’s face off in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA tournament. We’ve got an initial preview of the game and make predictions.</p> <p id="FR5cuI">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/tennessee-volunteers--odds" data-source="encore">Tennessee Volunteers</a> will take on the No. 15 Saint Peter’s Peacocks in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Below we’ll preview both teams, including analysis and key stats while also providing our prediction. </p>
<h3 id="gamtpF">Tennessee key stats</h3>
<p id="CoAaPz"><strong>NET: </strong>7</p>
<p id="EDEYej"><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>7</p>
<p id="xeimh3"><strong>KenPom O: </strong>28</p>
<p id="R1u2k6"><strong>KenPom D: </strong>3</p>
<p id="OhZfT8"><strong>Record: </strong>24-8</p>
<p id="RB8z7d"><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>8</p>
<p id="gD9FGR"><strong>Conference: </strong>SEC</p>
<p id="qB3Wcx"><strong>Conference Record: </strong>14-4</p>
<p id="pjg3b6"><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>8-7</p>
<p id="sIfCF9">The Tennessee Volunteers’ SEC tournament title hopes ended early after a shocking upset win from Mississippi State, but the Vols’ NCAA hopes are still alive and well. They earned the SEC regular season title thanks to a balanced offensive and defensive attack. The Vols are led by phenom Dalton Knecht, who averages 21.4 points per game. On the defensive side, Tennessee held opponents to 38.9% from the field, the third-best performance in the nation this year.</p>
<h3 id="NevclU">Saint Peter’s key stats</h3>
<p id="bHxqXm"><strong>NET: </strong>189</p>
<p id="qAV3xw"><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>187</p>
<p id="4xscsp"><strong>KenPom O: </strong>305</p>
<p id="k1J4th"><strong>KenPom D: </strong>75</p>
<p id="aGi5ri"><strong>Record: </strong>19-13</p>
<p id="BpHBKV"><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>289</p>
<p id="UtGaTO"><strong>Conference: </strong>MAAC</p>
<p id="n6UtBK"><strong>Conference Record: </strong>12-8</p>
<p id="2QUqP1"><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>0-1</p>
<p id="DwN7Ig">Saint Peter’s is back in the Big Dance just two years after making a surprise run to the Elite Eight as a 15-seed. The defense was the name of the game for this year’s Peacocks team as they held opponents to just 46.6% shooting in eFG% while also boasting a turnover rate of 20.4%.</p>
<h3 id="LRaZSX">
<strong>Pick: </strong>Saint Peter’s Peacocks</h3>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX"><em>Odds from </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a></p>
<p id="tIrr2U"><strong>Spread</strong>: Tennessee -18.5, Saint Peters +18.5<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 128.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: Tennessee -2100, Saint Peters +1100</p>
<p id="kU4O40"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24102339/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-tennessee-vs-saint-peters-pick-prediction-preview-key-statsLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:31:06-07:002024-03-17T15:31:06-07:00No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Saint Peter’s: Betting odds, spread, total for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="SEC Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SZrFCPDSv9zKwEJ51Rp_pJrJsY4=/0x65:2766x1909/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213865/2086924123.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We go over the opening odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s in March Madness 2024. </p> <p id="sKkXxq">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/tennessee-volunteers--odds" data-source="encore">Tennessee Volunteers</a> will take on the No. 15 Saint Peter’s Peacocks on Thursday, March 21, in Charlotte, North Carolina. </p>
<p id="VcMs0P">Despite an early SEC Tournament exit and zero Final Four appearances in its history, the Volunteers enter the Big Dance as one of the favorites to cut down the nets. Following a 3-game losing streak in non-conference play, Tennessee ripped off 20 wins in their final 24 regular season games en route to the SEC Regular Season crown. An outstanding Vols’ defense (3rd in adjusted efficiency per KenPom) complemented by a potent offensive attack (25th) demonstrates a more balanced squad than in previous years. </p>
<p id="C0yTw0">Led by four seniors, including transfer sensation Dalton Knecht’s blistering 21.4 points per game, Tennessee is poised to propel head coach Rick Barnes beyond his previous March shortcomings and into the third weekend. </p>
<p id="Wgy8sC"><strong>Tennessee Volunteers</strong></p>
<p id="ifwVAl"><strong>NET: </strong>7<br><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>7<br><strong>KenPom O: </strong>28<br><strong>KenPom D: </strong>3<br><strong>Record: </strong>24-8<br><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>8<br><strong>Conference: </strong>SEC<br><strong>Conference Record: </strong>14-4<br><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>8-7</p>
<p id="KAR4cC">Saint Peter’s is back in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years and is hoping to recreate the magic of its surprise run to the Elite Eight in 2022. The Peacocks held its own through the MAAC outside of a rough patch in February where it lost four straight games. As the No. 5 seed in the conference tourney, they managed to win three straight extremely close games to cut down the nets and get back to the Big Dance.</p>
<p id="u0aieE">Senior guard Latrell Reid was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end and earned himself MAAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Also look out for sophomore forward Corey Washington, who led the team in scoring with 16.5 points per game along with an average of 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals.</p>
<p id="xoE414"><strong>Saint Peter’s Peacocks</strong></p>
<p id="osbezl"><strong>NET: </strong>189<br><strong>KenPom Overall: </strong>187<br><strong>KenPom O: </strong>305<br><strong>KenPom D: </strong>75<br><strong>Record: </strong>19-13<br><strong>Strength of Schedule: </strong>289<br><strong>Conference: </strong>MAAC<br><strong>Conference Record: </strong>12-8<br><strong>Quad 1 Record: </strong>0-1</p>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX">Odds from <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore">DraftKings Sportsbook</a></p>
<p id="NVHHeQ"><strong>Spread</strong>: Tennessee -18.5, Saint Peters +18.5<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 128.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: Tennessee -2100, Saint Peters +1100</p>
<p id="XN3qk4"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24100001/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-first-round-tennessee-vs-saint-peters-odds-spread-total-moneylineLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:22:44-07:002024-03-17T15:22:44-07:00No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky: Pick, prediction, preview, key stats for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="2024 Conference USA Men’s Basketball Championship - UTEP vs Western Kentucky" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7hn8DYpmfsTy7vJmsM4qm-nMunA=/0x1:4341x2895/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213823/2082130552.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>No. 2 Marquette and No. 15 Western Kentucky face off in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA tournament. We’ve got an initial preview of the game and make predictions.</p> <p id="FxTrR9">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/mens-college-basketball/marquette-golden-eagles" data-source="encore">Marquette Golden Eagles</a> will take on the No. 15 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/western-kentucky-hilltoppers--odds" data-source="encore">Western Kentucky Hilltoppers</a> in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Below we’ll preview both teams, including analysis and key stats while also providing our prediction. </p>
<p id="EnxTpP">Marquette is back in the Big Dance for the third year in a row after another strong season in the Big East. While they lost twice to UConn and once against Creighton, they had few issues with the rest of their conference and grabbed non-conference wins over Illinois and Kansas at the beginning of the 2023-24 season. The Golden <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/football/nfl/philadelphia-eagles--odds" data-source="encore">Eagles</a> shot over 48% from the field this season, ranking 19th in the nation.</p>
<p id="NZVf4Q"><strong> </strong>The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are bringing their fast-paced offense to the Big Dance. Led by guard Don McHenry, WKU leads the nation in adjusted tempo per 40 possessions, averaging 77.3 possessions per game. After dropping their last four regular-season games, the Hilltoppers went on a conference tournament run that culminated in a win over the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/utep-miners--odds" data-source="encore">UTEP Miners</a> and the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 2013.</p>
<p id="kU4O40"><strong>Pick: </strong>No. 2 Marquette Golden Eagles</p>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Marquette vs. Western Kentucky odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX"><em>Odds from </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a></p>
<p id="NVHHeQ"><strong>Spread</strong>: Marquette, -16<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 158.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: Marquette -1350, WKU +800</p>
<p id="vxfF0r"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24102336/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-marquette-vs-western-kentucky-pick-prediction-preview-key-statsLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:20:38-07:002024-03-17T15:20:38-07:00No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky: Betting odds, spread, total for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
<figure>
<img alt="Providence v Marquette" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ef3l2cPY-NrVK0xao3PnTv2yqUI=/1x0:3624x2415/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213809/2089594983.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We go over the opening odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for Marquette vs. Western Kentucky in March Madness 2024. </p> <p id="sKkXxq">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/mens-college-basketball/marquette-golden-eagles" data-source="encore">Marquette Golden Eagles</a> will battle the No. 15 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/western-kentucky-hilltoppers--odds" data-source="encore">Western Kentucky Hilltoppers</a> on Friday, March 22, in Indianapolis, Indiana. </p>
<p id="DkVtnu">Marquette is back in the Big Dance for the third consecutive year, and the Golden <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/football/nfl/philadelphia-eagles--odds" data-source="encore">Eagles</a> are looking to make it past the first weekend of <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/march-madness--odds" data-source="encore">March Madness</a> for the first time since 2013. They finished in third place in the Big East regular season standings, behind Creighton and UConn. Their bid to the NCAA Tournament was never in question, but they couldn’t quite hang with the Bluejays and the Huskies, going 1-3 combined against the two teams. </p>
<p id="7NWmiM">Marquette still had a solid season, though – they shot 48.4% from the field, ranking in the top 20 nationally. Led by Kam Jones and Tyler Kolek, the Golden Eagles ranked in the top 20 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency at KenPom.</p>
<p id="j8ptZL"><strong>Marquette Golden Eagles</strong></p>
<p id="NgDuxu">NET: 13<br>KenPom Overall: 12<br>KenPom O: 21<br>KenPom D: 19<br>Record: 25-9<br>Strength of Schedule: 7<br>Conference: Big East<br>Conference Record: 14-6<br>Quad 1 Record: 9-8</p>
<p id="0k6nQi">The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers grabbed a 78-71 win over the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/utep-miners--odds" data-source="encore">UTEP Miners</a> to earn the Conference USA title. The Hilltoppers’ last NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2013. They have the highest adjusted tempo in the nation per KenPom, averaging 77.3 possessions per game. They earned the No. 3 seed in the C-USA tournament after dropping the last four games of conference play in the regular season.</p>
<p id="pxTpHE">Guard Don McHenry leads the team with 15.2 points per game, and the Hilltoppers average 79.1 points per game (39th in the nation) and grab 39 rebounds per game (24th in the nation). </p>
<p id="xoE414"><strong>Western Kentucky Hilltoppers</strong></p>
<p id="eqskBk">NET: 136<br>KenPom Overall: 132<br>KenPom O: 191<br>KenPom D: 103<br>Record: 22-11<br>Strength of Schedule: 243<br>Conference: C-USA<br>Conference Record: 8-8<br>Quad 1 Record: 0-0</p>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Marquette vs. Western Kentucky odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX"><em>Odds from </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a></p>
<p id="NVHHeQ"><strong>Spread</strong>: Marquette, -16<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 158.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: Marquette -1350, WKU +800</p>
<p id="33dBOT"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24099998/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-first-round-marquette-vs-western-kentucky-odds-spread-totalLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:14:31-07:002024-03-17T15:14:31-07:00No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 South Dakota State: Pick, prediction, preview, key stats for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
<figure>
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 16 Big 12 Championship - Iowa State vs Houston" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/43b0lLDNWPPpkbdWuXl470Lain4=/2x0:5998x3997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213783/2084793917.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>No. 2 Iowa State and No. 15 South Dakota face off in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA tournament. We’ve got an initial preview of the game and make predictions.</p> <p id="FxTrR9">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/iowa-state-cyclones--odds" data-source="encore">Iowa State Cyclones</a> will take on the No. 15 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/mens-college-basketball/south-dakota-state-jackrabbits" data-source="encore">South Dakota State Jackrabbits</a> in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Below we’ll preview both teams, including analysis and key stats while also providing our prediction. </p>
<p id="54LTVz">Iowa State brings one of the strongest defenses in the country to the court, holding opponents to just 61.9 points per game (third among Power 5 teams) and grabbing 10.5 steals per game (first among Power 5 teams). The Cyclones, led by Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey, have fought their way through an extremely challenging Big XII schedule and earned key wins over Kansas and Houston this season. </p>
<p id="4eJNaV">South Dakota State is back in the NCAA tourney after punching its ticket by winning the Summit League Tournament. The Jackrabbits are proficient from the field as they shoot 55.3% in eFG% as well as 55.9% from two and 36.2% from three. Defensively, they’ve been elite at guarding the inside as just 42.5% of their opponents’ points have come from two, the fourth-lowest total in the nation.</p>
<p id="UhZ95C"><strong>Pick: </strong>No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones</p>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Iowa State vs. South Dakota State odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX"><em>Odds from </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a></p>
<p id="NVHHeQ"><strong>Spread</strong>: ISU -16.5<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 133.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: ISU -1650, SDSU +950</p>
<p id="kU4O40"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24102334/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-iowa-state-vs-south-dakota-state-pick-prediction-preview-statsLance Cartelli2024-03-17T15:11:37-07:002024-03-17T15:11:37-07:00No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 South Dakota State: Betting odds, spread, total for First Round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 16 Big 12 Championship - Iowa State vs Houston" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HpcyRqhgJDfYiwblrYbVHFzMROU=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213773/2084794324.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We go over the opening odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for Iowa State vs. South Dakota State in March Madness 2024. </p> <p id="sKkXxq">The No. 2 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/college-football/iowa-state-cyclones--odds" data-source="encore">Iowa State Cyclones</a> will battle the No. 15 <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/mens-college-basketball/south-dakota-state-jackrabbits" data-source="encore">South Dakota State Jackrabbits</a> in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, March 21. </p>
<p id="fjiXTV">Iowa State was able to capture the Big 12’s automatic bid for the NCAA tournament, knocking off Houston in the conference tournament title game. The Cyclones slowly climbed the ranks through the polls this season as they defeated conference opponent after conference opponent. Iowa State took care of business in the regular season, with key wins coming over Kansas and Houston. They have one of the best defenses in the country, holding opponents to just over 61 points per game, ranking third among Power 5 teams. </p>
<p id="hWzhbc">Iowa State is a betting favorite for a Final Four berth this season. Led by Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey, this squad cannot be counted out in the postseason. </p>
<p id="ALSZgx"><strong>Iowa State</strong></p>
<p id="zEuqRs">NET: 6<br>KenPom Overall: 5<br>KenPom O: 55<br>KenPom D: 1<br>Record: 27-7<br>Strength of Schedule: 36<br>Conference: Big 12<br>Conference Record: 13-5<br>Quad 1 Record: 10-6</p>
<p id="mTUePR">South Dakota State has reached the Big Dance for the second time in three seasons and was able to do so by claiming the auto-bid out of the Summit League. The Jackrabbits were the class of the conference throughout the regular season and were able to handle their business as the top seed in the conference tourney. After beating Oral Roberts and St. Thomas, they downed Denver in the league title game to punch their ticket.</p>
<p id="FemypG">Junior guard Zeke Mayo was the Summit League’s Player of the Year, posting an average of 18.8 points along with 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game for SDSU. William Kyle III and Charlie Easley are other starters to keep tabs on for the Jackrabbits.</p>
<p id="8aM0Rr"><strong>South Dakota State</strong></p>
<p id="l2s21S">NET: 135<br>KenPom Overall: 135<br>KenPom O: 134<br>KenPom D: 163<br>Record: 22-12<br>Strength of Schedule: 235<br>Conference: Summit<br>Conference Record: 12-4<br>Quad 1 Record: 0-1</p>
<h2 id="x5LAVt">2024 March Madness: Iowa State vs. South Dakota State odds</h2>
<p id="RTmvrX"><em>Odds from </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab" data-source="encore"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a></p>
<p id="NVHHeQ"><strong>Spread</strong>: ISU -16.5<br><strong>Over/Under</strong>: 133.5<br><strong>Moneyline</strong>: ISU -1650, SDSU +950</p>
<p id="m0iJU6"></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/17/24099996/march-madness-2024-ncaa-tournament-first-round-iowa-state-vs-south-dakota-state-odds-spread-totalLance Cartelli2024-03-14T19:39:27-07:002024-03-14T19:39:27-07:00Chargers trade WR Keenan Allen to Bears for fourth-rounder in 2024 NFL Draft
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<img alt="Baltimore Ravens v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8zjgUvI9icDsfHcNgAuv29VPlBg=/0x0:6189x4126/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73208507/1815561145.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bears added another weapon for incoming No. 1 pick by acquiring the Chargers’ top receiver. </p> <p id="fEcC4o">The Keenan Allen Era with the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/football/nfl/los-angeles-chargers--odds" data-source="encore">Los Angeles Chargers</a> is officially over. </p>
<p id="9YM3d6">The Bolts dealt their top receiver to the <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/teams/football/nfl/chicago-bears--odds" data-source="encore">Chicago Bears</a> for a <a href="https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/status/1768461354535653668">fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft</a>, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. Allen <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1768462450997837983">declined</a> to take a pay cut, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, which led to Los Angeles’ decision to deal their star pass-catcher. </p>
<p id="qq9bly">The Allen trade comes on the same day that the Chargers released their other starting wide receiver, Mike Williams. That leaves L.A. with arguably the worst starting receiver group in the NFL with Quentin Johnson and Joshua Palmer as the presumptive starters. The Chargers also hold the No. 5 pick in the draft, which seems likely to be one of the top three receivers in Ohio State Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze. </p>
<p id="Y89G8s">For the Bears, they add another big-time weapon to an offense that sorely needed a second receiver to pair with D.J. Moore. And at a bargain price of just a fourth-rounder for the 31-year-old. Chicago is expected to select USC QB Caleb Williams with the first overall selection and the acquisition of Allen should make his transition to the NFL much, much easier. </p>
<p id="GkUZ83">Allen is in the final year of his contract and will make $23.1 million in 2024. </p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2024/3/14/24101454/keenan-allen-trade-chicago-bears-los-angelse-chargers-wide-receiver-2024-nfl-draft-caleb-williamsLance Cartelli