It was uncharacteristically quiet at Las Vegas sportsbooks Thursday morning on probably the most anticipated days on the sports activities betting calendar.
The loudest roar on the Westgate SuperBook early within the first spherical of the NCAA Match was from a bettor screaming for a canine to win. Actually.
“Come on 6! Come on 6!” the gambler yelled as he watched a race at a canine monitor on the far left of the large video wall within the guide.
His canine misplaced on the wire. However No. 12 seed McNeese State, a 7-point underdog, held off No. 5 seed Clemson down the stretch in a 69-67 win within the afternoon because the standing-room-only crowd on the guide got here alive for the day’s largest upset.
It was the thirty fourth time prior to now 40 NCAA Tournaments {that a} 12-seed beat a 5-seed.
Books beloved McNeese State, one in all 4 underdogs that pulled off outright upsets. However books hated the Drake, an 11-seed that beat Missouri 67-57 as a 5½-point underdog. Bettors beloved the Drake, which paid 2-1 on the cash line.
“Drake outright was a reasonably large loss,” Westgate vp of race and sports activities John Murray mentioned. “There was lots of help for Drake. They have been a preferred ’canine.”
Watch out for public underdogs
The betting public usually backs favorites, however March Insanity is an exception, as bettors loaded up and misplaced on common underdogs Excessive Level (+8, misplaced 75-63 to Purdue) and Yale (+6½, misplaced 80-71 to Texas A&M).
“That is the one weekend of the 12 months, particularly the primary two days, that you just’ll see lots of public ’canines,” Murray mentioned. “You’ll see lots of people discuss themselves into underdogs. Excessive Level and Yale have been two actually good examples of that. They have been actually common, and we have been rooting for the favorites to cowl all the best way.”
Murray mentioned a preferred public ’canine on Friday is No. 13 Grand Canyon (+10½) over No. 4 Maryland.
Bettors fared higher with No. 10 Arkansas, which knocked off Kansas 79-72 as a 5-point underdog.
“Kudos to educate (John) Calipari for getting a match win in his first 12 months down there,” Murray mentioned. “Fairly strong.”
Calipari vs. Pitino
That units up a compelling second-round matchup Saturday between Calipari and St. John’s coach Rick Pitino. The Purple Storm whipped Omaha 83-53, protecting as 19-point favorites.
Gonzaga and Houston additionally will sq. off within the second spherical after they rolled to wins and covers. The Zags (-7) crushed Georgia 89-68. The Cougars lined as 29-point favorites in a 78-40 rout of SIU Edwardsville. The sport stayed underneath the whole of 128 after a quick begin when the groups mixed for less than 42 factors within the second half.
Houston is favored by 5 over Gonzaga.
“They positively have arrange some fairly good matchups for the weekend, with Gonzaga and Houston entrance and middle,” Murray mentioned. “That’s a fairly superior recreation for the second spherical.”
No. 12 seed UC San Diego was school basketball’s high cash staff this season, going 25-7 in opposition to the unfold.
However bettors at Station Casinos have been throughout Michigan and received huge because the Wolverines held off the Tritons and narrowly lined as 2-point favorites in a 68-65 win.
“It was our largest determination of the day,” Purple Rock Resort sportsbook director Chuck Esposito mentioned. “There was lots of Michigan motion, each on the purpose unfold and the cash line.”
Favorites went 9-7 ATS and unders went 9-7. Creighton (+3½) accounted for the opposite outright upset in an 89-75 win over Louisville that was a strong win for the books.
“Creighton was huge this morning to start out the day. General, the day went fairly good,” Esposito mentioned. “We actually haven’t had that huge Cinderella story but or dramatic end, however total the ambiance and crowd have been sensational.
“We opened (Thursday) morning at 6 a.m., and there was already 30 individuals sitting out within the guide.”
Murray additionally was happy with the turnout and the motion on the Westgate.
“I used to be very proud of the gang and the vitality within the room,” he mentioned. “It’s what we count on for Thursday of March Insanity. Nevertheless it’s all the time good to see as a result of it’s so aggressive now with sports activities betting everywhere in the nation.”
Final Man Standing
Station set a report for entries in its school basketball Final Man Standing elimination contest, with 3,147. The winner of the $25-entry contest will take house the prize pool of $63,550.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Observe @tdewey33 on X.
