The First Round of March Madness concludes on Friday with 15 games that feature some of the leading contenders to win the NCAA Championship. There is plenty of value to be had, and here we pick out some of the most intriguing games:
Michigan v Oklahoma State
This is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the tournament as it comes less than 10 games after the Michigan team escaped unscathed from a plane crash. They were evacuated from the runway and ended the week as Big 10 champions. Michigan was seeded eighth and had to beat top seed Purdue, then fourth-seeded Minnesota and finally second-seeded Wisconsin to win the automatic bid for March Madness. The Wolverines pulled it off in style and go into the NCAA Tournament full of belief and heart. Confidence pride is on the line as this pits the Big Ten against the Big 12, and Michigan can win it. Oklahoma State has had a turbulent season and is 0-7 in March, while Michigan has won five straight against top notch opposition, so the 8/11 that 888Sport has on Michigan looks great.
Creighton v Rhode Island
The Creighton Bluejays go into this game as slight favourites (10/11 with William Hill), while Rhode Island is the underdog at 19/20 with BetVictor. Creighton is the sixth seed, while Rhode Island is 11, but Rhode Island looks to have been under-seeded here. The Rams are a very good team and can harbour realistic hopes of not only beating Creighton but going as far as the Sweet Sixteen or even the Elite Eight. They would be unlikely to get past Kansas, but they can really go on a run in this bracket. These two teams come into March Madness as polar opposites. Creighton started the season sensationally as it raced to an 18-1 record. Then they lost star player Maurice Watson and have since gone 7-8. The Rams have momentum, having finished the regular season with eight straight wins and then earned three victories in a row to claim the A-10 Championship. That 19/20 on Rhode Island at BetVictor looks great value.
Seton Hall v Arkansas
This is a classic 8/9 game featuring an eighth and ninth seed that are virtually impossible to split, such are the similarities between the two teams. It is an interesting game as the winner will surely go on to face tournament favourites North Carolina in the next round, where they are overwhelmingly likely to be knocked out. But they will give this game all they have got and it is likely to be ferociously competitive. Arkansas plays with intensity and energy and has the better record, but Seton Hall has more impressive wins under its belt and loves to slow the game down. The two styles contrast and we could be in for a low-scoring game here, so the best bet could well be the under 146.5 total points at 10/11 with Bet365.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
