Posted at 9:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Sunday, March 22

Kansas +3½ over St. John’s

Viejas Arena – San Diego, CA

5:15 PM EST. This number is a classic market overreaction. Kansas didn’t struggle because they were in danger. They controlled that game from start to finish. They led by 22 points with about ten minutes to go and never trailed for a single second. California Baptist made a late run, but that was the result of Kansas easing off the gas, not a team on the ropes. The outcome was never in jeopardy.

Perception changed. Reality did not.

The market saw the final score tighten and immediately downgraded Kansas. At the same time, St. John’s jumped out to a 20–2 lead against Northern Iowa and cruised wire to wire. They looked sharp, efficient, and comfortable. That contrast—one team winning ugly, one team winning easily—drove this line move.

Now we get Kansas catching points.

That’s value with one of the most talented rosters in the country and the best player on the floor in Darryn Peterson. In tournament basketball, elite shot creators change games, and Peterson is exactly that. He dictates tempo, draws defensive attention, and creates scoring opportunities when possessions get tight.

St. John’s is a very good team, but this matchup is far more even than the number suggests. Kansas has the size, depth, and experience to match them possession for possession, and they’ve already shown they can build and maintain separation against tournament competition.

This is not about who looked prettier in the first round. This is about the number. The market cooled on Kansas after one cosmetic result and pushed this line too far in the other direction. That’s the opportunity.

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Straight Bets:

If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.

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If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.

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Posted at 9:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Sunday, March 22

UCLA +4½ -110 over UConn

Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA

8:45 PM EST. This line gives UConn credit for reputation and recent history. The matchup favors UCLA.UConn’s identity is built on physicality and rebounding, but they’ve shown real slippage late in the season—losses to teams that matched their toughness and forced them to execute in the half court. The Huskies turn the ball over more than an elite favorite should, struggle at the free-throw line, and rely heavily on their starting five. That lack of depth shows up when the game tightens and possessions become more valuable.

UCLA is the more complete basketball team right now. The Bruins force turnovers at a high rate, defend with discipline, and run a structured offense that produces consistent scoring from multiple positions. They just took care of business against UCF by winning the possession battle—13 steals, pressure defense, and composure down the stretch. That’s not luck. That’s identity.

There’s also a personnel edge.Even with Tyler Bilodeau dealing with a knee issue, UCLA has gotten strong production from its frontcourt rotation. Xavier Booker and Eric Dailey stepped up immediately, combining scoring, rebounding, and interior defense. That depth allows UCLA to stay physical without relying on one player to carry the load.This is not an underdog hoping to survive. This is a team that matches up cleanly across the floor.

The number is built on UConn’s name and championship pedigree. The performance gap between these teams is much smaller than that perception suggests. UCLA defends, creates extra possessions, and plays with structure and toughness—traits that translate directly into winning basketball in March. We’re getting points with the better team.

UCLA +4½ is the play.

Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer

Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works

Straight Bets:

If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.

Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.

Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.

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Posted at 9:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Sunday, March 22

Tennessee -1 -110 over Virginia

Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA

6:10 PM EST. Tennessee showed exactly what it is in the first round—physical, disciplined, and relentless on defense. Miami walked into a wall. Every possession was contested, every rebound was fought for, and the game turned into a grind. That’s Tennessee basketball, and that style travels in March.

Virginia, on the other hand, didn’t look sharp.

Wright State got clean looks, moved the ball comfortably, and exposed cracks in a defense that’s supposed to be the foundation of the program. That’s a red flag. When Virginia’s defense slips, the margin disappears quickly because this is not a team built to win shootouts.

The narrative about Rick Barnes’ past tournament record is noise.

This Tennessee team is not those Tennessee teams. The roster is deeper, the frontcourt is stronger, and the defense ranks among the best in the country. They control the glass, protect the rim, and force opponents into difficult shots late in the clock. Virginia’s offense is methodical but limited, and against elite pressure, it can stall for long stretches.

This number sitting around a pick’em tells you the truth.

Oddsmakers see Tennessee as the better team right now. The Volunteers bring more physicality, more scoring balance, and more defensive resistance. In a tight tournament game where every possession matters, that edge becomes decisive.

Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer

Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works

Straight Bets:

If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.

Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.

Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.

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