Betting Picks

There was plenty of criticism that the 23-13 Syracuse Orangemen weren't worthy of consideration for the 2018 NCAA Tournament, even as a First Four participant. They finished 11th overall in the ACC after all, with an 8-10 slate. But coach Jim Boeheim has his 11th-seeded squad playing like world beaters, with wins over the No. 6 (TCU) and No. 3 (Michigan State) seeds in the Midwest Regional.

You'd have to think that the Washington Wizards were really pulling for Hillary Clinton to win the U.S. Presidency in 2016. After all, they had a vested interest. The Wizards haven't defeated the Spurs in San Antonio since a 99-89 verdict on Dec. 11, 1999, when Bill Clinton was serving in the White House. Yes, you are absolutely right. That was a very long time ago.

Seeding? We don't need no stinking seeding. In a year where brackets are being broken as if they were made of glass, nowhere is the March Madness more maddening than in the South and West Regions. The top four seeds in the South have all been sent packing, leaving fifth-seeded Kentucky as the top contender. In the West, both No. 1 Xavier and No. 2 North Carolina are done.

A year ago the Columbus Blue Jackets were the surprise team in the NHL regular season, and the Ottawa Senators the surprise team of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This spring, it's conceivable both could be watching the postseason on TV. Ottawa is already out of the running, while the Blue Jackets cling to a wildcard spot in the East, watching the hard-charging Florida Panthers in the rear-view mirror.

It's a light schedule for 2018 Kentucky Derby qualifying this Saturday, with most of the attention focused on Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where they'll run the $900,000 (G2) Rebel Stakes. The race has drawn a full field of 11, with the winner picking up 50 Derby qualifying points.

The second day of opening-round action at the NCAA Tournament features a number of games available to be exploited for wagering profit motives. Any 7-10 matchup is always a wise betting choice, because the odds generally work in your favor and there's usually little to choose between the two teams. That's why we like both the Arkansas-Butler contest and the game between Texas and Nevada.

There's very little magic in Orlando this season, where the Magic are a disappointing 13-18. The Milwaukee Bucks have already won once their this season, and will be seeking to make it two in a row and three of the last four when they visit on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will look to continue their mastery over the Lakers, who they've beaten six straight.

Let the madness begin. The opening round of the NCAA Tournament gets underway Thursday, and with 16 games on tap, you won't lack for action. We'll get our first look at the smothering defense of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the tournament wizardry of Michigan Wolverines coach John Beilein, whose team always seems to fly under the radar nationally, and the wonder kid that is Oklahoma guard Trae Young.

The opening round of the NCAA Tournament tips off Thursday and there's action in all four regions. Have you set your bracket, and which teams do you fear are most likely to break it? Which favorites will carry the day and who among the top seeds will move on to Saturday's second round? And which schools are lurking in the weeds, about to pull off a major upset?