Jeff Sunday Goes NCAAB Futures Shopping
Dispersing $100 on teams that can bring the Madness in March
Jeff Sunday
NHL, CFB, NFL, Golf
March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time to embrace the only real tournament we have in sports. Sure, there are playoffs, but nothing compares to 64 teams playing one game to knock the other out and advance.
As a sports bettor, we often look for value. Betting a team to win it all on March 5th is NOT the time to go value shopping. I don't have a horse in this race that’s starting in a few weeks, but I want one.
Let’s be honest - it’s very likely that one of Michigan or Duke (both +340) will win it all. And if they don’t, then it’s probably going to be Arizona (+480). If you already have a ticket in pocket for any of these teams at a better number because you know ball and took it before the season started, good for you. I don’t, and if you’re going to judge me on what I do next, just stop reading now.
It’s been chalky the last few years and I truly think chalk is here to stay. But I, like many of you, want chaos. And if…IF we get chaos, I want chaos in my pocket.
So now the question is this: which teams are capable of creating chaos? Well that’s what I'm here to do and where I want to allocate my funds.
I’m committing $100 - which is 1 unit for me - and dispersing that across a handful of teams to win it all, in the rare event that we get chaos in March of 2026. These are the teams I’ve selected:
$25 - Michigan State (+5000)
“January, February, Izzo” barf. I gotta be honest and admit that I am not the guy who slurps Izzo this time of year. While I do very much respect him as a coach, his teams never win shit. I get it, he’s doing more with less, but he doesn’t get excused for not being able to recruit well.
Nevertheless, I like the squad this year. They’re also starting to play their best ball at the right time. Winners of 4 straight and a showdown with Michigan on deck. If they somehow win that game, this number could move. As I stated earlier, this is not the time for value, but if there was value, it would be on the Spartans.
$25 - Arkansas (+6600)
I watched the Razorbacks beat up Texas A&M at home and came away very impressed. As quickly as they sucked me in, they almost spit me out, because the following game they got their ass kicked to the Gators.
This team feels a little bipolar, but they have the ingredients for chaos. I love that they’ve already faced some stiff out of conference opponents too (Duke, Houston, Texas Tech) earlier in the year. That might not mean much, but I think a little familiarity helps, especially with an experienced coach.
$25 - Texas Tech (+12500)
I am not worried at all that this team just lost at home to TCU. Good. Get another taste of defeat in that locker room before conference tournament time.
This is a group of guys who are being counted out once JT Toppin went down for the year. There is no debate that he is their best player, but sometimes an injury like that can cause your entire team to step up. I think that’s what we’ve seen from the Red Raiders so far, and I think we see more of it in the tournament.
Christian Anderson is a fantastic point guard, and a fantastic point guard is a key component to creating chaos. They lack depth, but I love sharpshooter Donovan Atwell. Jaylen Petty lacks size, but you can’t sleep on him either. I think Tech will be a tough out against anyone.
$15 - Miami (+30000)
People gave me a lot of shit for suggesting the Canes. I get it, they’re 200/1 for a reason. It is very unlikely they will make a splash. But you have to remember - this is in the event that we get chaos. You’re going to tell me Miami can’t shake shit up and make a team sweat? Come on.
Miami has been dialed for over a month. They’ve won 9 of their last 11 games. The two losses were by 1 point to Cal and 3 points at Virginia. I just watched them take down SMU last night on the road. They seem like a cohesive group, and are also equipped with an absolutely DOG at center in Ernet Udeh Jr. I love a good beast cleaning up the boards in March.
It could just be the year of the U…
$10 - Ohio State (+100000)
Go ahead and laugh. Laugh it up! The Buckeyes are not winning shit. However…I am a SUCKER for a good postgame interview, and that’s exactly what we got from PG John Mobley Jr after the Buckeyes upset Purdue at home.
Now I want to be crystal clear - Purdue is fucking ass, but that was still a huge win. The fans stormed the court and Mobley said “we’re going to make a run” if they get in the tournament. No letdown spot after that either, as the Buckeyes went on the road and dismantled Penn State.
I’m not a big bulletin board material guy because I think that backfires, but that’s only if you direct it at a team or a player. Mobley had that look and Ohio State has that look. If they make it in the tournament they’re worth some pizza money.
