March Madness is back! Every year the NCAA single-elimination basketball tournament takes place in March, and the month is full of buzz. However, this year’s competition was much anticipated because last year, the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the highlights of this year’s March Madness include the attendance of 101-Year-Old Loyola fan Sister Jean, who is the team’s chaplain and their biggest fan. Another highlight is the challenge put forward by billionaire Warren Buffet, and one lucky winner will walk away with $1 million! All the billionaire wants is for you to guess the winners of all 32 first-round games, and the money is yours.
Last but not least are the prop bets you can place and have fun with as you land good payouts. March Madness is a significant event in the sports betting scene, and bookmakers are always ready with their enticing odds. So, get your March Madness Bracket ready and check out some of the top online USA sportsbooks that you can place the prop bets below.
Will a 12 seed beat a five seed?
This is one of those staple prop bets that’s almost in everyone’s March Madness Bracket. The wager goes back to when the NCAA was expanded to 64 teams, and since then, 12 seed teams have consistently advanced to top rounds. 12 seed teams have failed to progress in the tournament only five times. The bet might not have a high value, but it’s usually an obvious pick.
Will a First Four team make it to the Sweet 16?
The ‘First Four’ is a term used to refer to four teams that have always advanced out of the opening rounds and even made it past the Sweet 16. Even though the probability is high, don’t forget that in 2019 none of the First Four teams made it to the Round of 32. To place a safe bet, you need to check the form of individual teams and put your hope on one team with winning potential.
What are the odds of each seed winning the tournament?
This prop bet is a bit broad, and you can bet on which seed is likely to win the tournament. Some sportsbooks offer options running from seeds 1 through 12 with different odds. Again, when placing such a bet, always consider the history of the NCAA tournaments.
Seed 1 will have a low-value bet because, since 2000, they have won the tournament 14 times, making them the probable winners. But if you are a firm believer in a team in a different seed other than the top three, then you better have your fingers crossed as you place your bet.
How many buzzer-beating shots will be there in the Round of 64?
Here’s an exciting and fun prop bet filled with anxiety. A buzzer-beater is a shot taken before the game breaks for a quarter, half or overtime, but goes in the net once the time is up and the buzzer sounds.
The odds are pretty enticing for this bet, and another good thing is that there have been 124 buzzer-beaters in the history of the NCAA, so the probability for it to happen is high. If you don’t want to place a risky bet like the exact number of shots that will happen, you can simply bet over/under.
When will a team be eliminated?
It’s not every time that you have to bet on a winning team. You can sometimes spot a team that isn’t that competitive and has flaws that can lead to its downfall. So, you can bet on how soon the team will be eliminated. Some of the wager options include First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, or Championship Game.
A team with “Mascot” to reach the Final Four?
If you are looking for a prop bet that will make you giggle, why not bet based on a school’s Mascot? Each school has its Mascot to cheer up the team, and you can find one represented as a bulldog, tiger, wildcat, or husky. An example of a prop bet you can place—a team with “Bulldogs” as their Mascot to reach the Final Four.
Which March Madness Prop Bet Will You Place Next?
Think of these bets as an additional source of thrill when enjoying March Madness entertainment. And each year, more prop bet markets are added by bookmakers to keep it interesting. If you’re lucky enough, you will realize those prop bet payouts are also another thing to look forward to; but take care you don’t get carried away by too much fun and bet past your budget.
