It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The Degenerate newsletter is back! We’ve been off since the Super Bowl, but the engines are starting up again for March Madness and MLB Futures.
We’ll be coming at you next week with plenty more, but for now we at least wanted to let you know how we’re looking at some of the bigger conference championships. THIS! IS! MARCH!
ACC
Start Date: Tuesday, March 12th Defending Champ: Duke
Degen: Clemson +1000 & Pitt +1500
Steak: Clemson +1000
Greg: With gambling going live in North Carolina it’s all but a guarantee that a local team will bring home the ACC Championship, right? I love this UNC team and don’t see a path that doesn’t end with them winning it. BUT I really like the value on Clemson in this spot and that’s where my money will be. Clemson +1000
Start Date: Wednesday, March 13th Defending Champ: Marquette
Degen:
Steak: St. Johns +900 brutal path, but Steak’s throwing darts
Greg: Is it chalk? Yes. Is it boring? Absolutely! The Huskies have already locked up a 1-Seed in the big dance, but I think they are a bit sour after losing last year in the Big East Tourney to Marquette. UCONN - 160
Start Date: Wednesday, March 13th Defending Champ: Purdue
Degen: None
Steak: Purdue +100; Longshot: Northwestern +1600
Greg: Fun fact from VSIN. A non-top four team has made the Big 10 final in 5 of the last 6 years. Riding with the hot handed Buckeyes at a big and juicy number. Ohio State +3000
Big 12
Start Date: Tuesday, March 12th Defending Champ: Texas
Degen: UCF +25000
Steak: Baylor +550; Longshot: Texas Tech +1700
Greg: As of early February I’m a Cyclone through and through. Houston has nothing to play for and this is their first year in the Big 12 Tourney. Give me Iowa State +430
PAC - 12
Start Date: Wednesday, March 13th Defending Champ: Arizona
Degen: Colorado +400 & USC +1200
Steak: None
Greg: I’m taking another heavy favorite and you can’t stop me. Arizona -150
SEC
Start Date: Wednesday, March 13th Defending Champ: Alabama
Degen: Auburn +240
Steak: Auburn +240
Greg: The homer in me is dying to take the Gators at +1600, and I might sprinkle it. But deep down I see the Vols winning the SEC, then having an early exit in the NCAA Tourney as a top seed. Tennessee +160 (1u), Florida +1600 (.5u)
BONUS:
American Athletic: Memphis +440 - Love that the underperforming Tigers ended the season on a hot steak. USF luck could run out and FAU seems ripe for falling short after a historic tourney run in 2023. (Greg)
Atlantic-10: Dayton +170 - 3-seed, difficult path, and yet the best odds by a wide margin? I’m rolling with the Flyers to punch a ticket. (Greg)
Mountain West: Nevada +500 - This is going to be one of the most entertaining tournaments. SIX teams have a legit chance at winning, and I’m rolling with the Wolfpack. (Greg)
IVY: Brown +2500 - Princeton is the easy play here, and they likely take it. But I’m throwing a dart at Brown, who might be getting everything figured out at the perfect time. (Greg)
Western: Tarleton St +375 - Potentially weird scenario where if they meet Grand Canyon in the final and win, Grand Canyon still gets the bid. Merrimack pulled it off last year, and I like Tarleton St. to do the same. (Greg)