Given that March Madness was canceled in 2020 due to some of the earliest closures of the global pandemic, New Jersey will be looking to double-down on the biggest tournament in college basketball in 2021. With the past successes of the March Madness event and looking at what the Super Bowl generated in legal wagers for the Garden State, some of New Jersey’s leading online sports wagering experts believe that the tournament could possibly clear $5 billion in wagers. With that being the case, let’s examine some of the leading contenders to take out this year’s national college basketball championship, the culmination of the March Madness tournament. Gonzaga FanDuel – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +280 888Sport – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +310 With a phenomenal offense that doesn’t depend on superstars, the ‘Zags are deserved favorites to take out the national title. Packed with offensive weapons, Gonzaga score heavily and quickly, even without a three-point champ. Conforming to old adage that deadly offense will cover for a lack of quality in defense, sees the ‘Zags as the ultimate 2021 March Madness excitement machine. Baylor FanDuel – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +310 888Sport – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +310 The only other team to hold the #1 ranking in the 2020/21 season, Baylor’s strength is the opposite of Gonzaga – this team plays ruthless rough-and-tumble defense. Junior guard, Jared Butler is a lethal pickpocket, player of the year favorite, in addition to being a leading offensive weapon whether its scoring points, or dishing-off to his team mates. Baylor lead the nation in outside shooting this season; it will take a flexible and quick defensive team to deny them the national title. Michigan FanDuel – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +900 888Sport – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +950 Michigan will come into the tournament fresh, having not played for a long period over January to February after a pandemic-related break. Michigan rank in the Top 10 both defensively and offensively (the only other team to do so alongside Gonzaga and Baylor), making their long odds tantalizing for those looking for an underdog to take out the national title. Watch for the Wolverines to win games from the inside and keep it tight, rather than on expansive outside shooting. Villanova FanDuel – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +1000 888Sport – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +1100 Of the major March Madness contenders, only Villanova has the experience of winning a national title in the last 30 years. Arguably, this team is on the rise and has yet to reach their best this season. However, if a team plays them on the inside, the team lacks significant height and quality through the center to repel them, and will need to fall back on their quality outside shooting to emerge victorious. Illinois FanDuel – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +1600 888Sport – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +1400 Illinois play one of the toughest schedules of all college teams, so don’t be too deterred by their number of losses this season. Illinois boasts a Top 10 offense and a Top 15 rated defense and after starting the year at #17, have fought and clawed their way up to #4. In Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois possess two genuine superstars that are combining for well over 37 points per game between them. To defeat Illinois, your offense will need to have an ‘on’ night and execute perfectly. Best Underdog – Connecticut FanDuel – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +6500 888Sport – March Madness (National Championship) Odds – +5500 With James Bouknight returning from injury, there is a lot to like about the Huskies chances as underdogs; they have more improvement to come than most other teams.
