With a significant increase in support for underdog teams, this year’s NCAA Tournament is predicted to defy expectations, fuelled by the impact of the NCAA transfer portal and the changing dynamics of college basketball.
The NCAA Tournament is anticipated to be unpredictable this year, with bettors and fans expecting plenty of upsets, echoing a trend toward supporting underdog teams. Seamus Magee from BetMGM reported a significant interest in double-digit seeds, inspired by past unexpected successes like Saint Peter’s and last year’s Final Four lineup. The early dominance of underdogs in conference tournaments, partly attributed to the NCAA transfer portal, has helped mid-major teams compete more effectively against traditional powerhouses.
Despite initial favoritism towards teams like Virginia, there’s a noticeable shift towards underdogs, such as Colorado State, with BracketOdds’ Jacobson commending the committee’s top seed choices but highlighting mismatches in lower brackets. UConn is notably backed to make history by repeating as champions, amidst shifting odds for teams like Houston and Purdue, indicating an exciting and unpredictable tournament.
Concurrently, the landscape of men’s college basketball is becoming increasingly unpredictable due to the rise of “one-and-done” players, with young talent prioritizing short college stints before moving to the NBA. This shift away from the era when teams, like the UCLA Bruins, dominated the sport for years, contributes to the unpredictability of the NCAA tournament. The changing dynamics, including the impact of new rules and the lure of professional careers, suggest the era of dominant college basketball teams may be a relic of the past, making future tournaments more open and competitive.
