When it comes to betting college basketball, March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion. The first two weeks of the month are filled with betting action on more than 30 different postseason conference tournaments. The real madness gets underway later in the month with the start of the annual NCAA Tournament.
Heading into March, a great starting point for all of your college basketball handicapping efforts is gaining a good understanding of the best betting teams in the country. Having a firm grasp on the national rankings can help you fill out your NCAA Tournament bracket. However, separating the money makers from the teams draining your wallet becomes valuable information when it comes to betting on the actual games.
A quick look at the current national rankings still points to Gonzaga as the team to beat for this year's national championship. With Baylor's recent loss to Kansas, the Bulldogs are now the only undefeated team in the nation.
Unfortunately, betting on Gonzaga has been a losing proposition this season with an even 11-11-2 record against the spread. The only positive betting stat come tournament time is a 4-1 record ATS playing at a neutral site.
Baylor is still the best team in the Big 12 and 18-1 SU overall. The Bears are 13-6 this season ATS, including a 5-2 mark on the road. However, with the loss to Kansas on Feb. 27, they are 3-4 ATS over their past seven games.
One of college basketball's best bets this season at online sportsbooks such as Bovada also happens to be one of the best teams in the country on the court. The Big Ten's Michigan Wolverines are 18-1 SU and 15-4 ATS. They have gone 6-1 ATS in seven road games this season, and they are 9-3 ATS at home.
This model of consistency should carry over into the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan’s lone conference loss game against Minnesota on the road back in mid-January. Since that point, it has won its last seven games SU while going 6-1 ATS.
As far as a few more hot betting teams, the Atlantic 10's St. Bonaventure Bonnies have earned a spot on that list. They have gone 13-3 SU with a 10-4-2 record ATS. They are 8-2-1 ATS closing as favorites, with the total staying UNDER in 12 of their first 16 games.
Moving to the Big East, Villanova continues to lead the way in the SU conference standings at 10-3 SU. However, the 9-6 Connecticut Huskies remain the best betting team. They are 13-5 ATS overall with a 10-3 record ATS closing as favorites.
The Toledo Rockets have been the model of consistency in the Mid-American Conference at 19-6, both SU and ATS. They are 9-3 ATS at home and 8-3 ATS in 11 road games this season.
Over in the Mountain West, San Diego State has been the team to beat at 13-3 SU in conference play, with the 12-3 Colorado Rams a close second. The best betting team in this conference has been the Nevada Wolf Pack. They are just 9-7 SU in MWC play and 14-9 overall. Yet, they are 16-6 ATS with a 6-1 mark closing as underdogs.
The best betting team this season in Division I Men's basketball has been the Drake Bulldogs out of the Missouri Valley Conference. They are 24-3 SU with a 20-5 record ATS. This includes an 11-2 record ATS at home and an 8-3 record on the road.