The March Madness betting tournament is already headed to the Sweet 16, and while 50 teams have already been eliminated including the First Four, breaking down the tournament the remainder of the way will not be getting any easier. While Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan State and Syracuse all made it through to the Sweet 16 as No. 1 seeds, teams like North Carolina State, Xavier, and Ohio are still alive and fighting for their chance at a national title. Injuries have already become a concern to teams like the Tar Heels, who could be without their starting point guard Kendall Marshall when they fight for a spot in the Elite Eight this week, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it.

Of the No. 1 seeds, North Carolina probably has on paper what amounts to the most winnable sports betting contest as the play a No. 13 seed in the Ohio Bobcats, so they should be able to get through even if Marshall is watching from the sidelines. The Tar Heels have a ton of talented post players like Tyler Zeller and John Henson, and they should be able to create matchup problems down low even without Marshall running the offense. The second-team All-ACC point guard said he is feeling good after having a pin placed in his wrist and may even be available for Friday, but if he doesn’t go, expect a possible return if they meet Kansas in the Elite Eight.

As far as the Jayhawks are concerned, a close per head win over Purdue is testament that they may not be ready to handle some of the tougher matchups on their road to the Final Four, and the Wolfpack are going to be a real test regardless of the seed differential. Syracuse will face a very tough defense against Wisconsin, with the Badgers also coming alive at the offensive end of the floor of late, and this could be the spot where they get caught with the Fab Melo exception really hurting them. Considering the way that Indiana is playing as well, none of the top seeds should have it easy in the Sweet 16, even if the Wildcats did win their first two tournament games by an average of 15.5 points. Kentucky has a lot of depth and they proved against Iowa State that they can play strong perimeter defense and keep teams from hitting the three, and if that translates they should be the most likely No. 1 seed to move on.

How the rest of the tournament plays out is as unpredictable as when it started, living up to its name as the March Madness. But at this point it’s important to forget about the seeds, and pay attention to the matchups. The Jayhawks and Orange will be in tough against quality opponents that have the ability to put up a ton of points, while the Tar Heels and Wildcats should be able to take care of their business. Michigan State has played some excellent ball, but so has Louisville, and there is only so long that all four No. 1 seeds can hang around.

I’ve been so busy with the NCAA Tournament, and this weekend’s Masters odds, that the NBA postseason has snuck up on me. There is still some stuff to sort out in terms of playoff spots, so this weekend’s games still have meaning for NBA betting players.

Charlotte essentially has to run the table with four games left to catch Chicago and Detroit in the East, and they head to Oklahoma City on Friday, while Saturday’s game in Chicago will decide their fate. The Bulls, who are playing their best ball of the seaon right now, face Philadelphia at home on Thursday before welcoming the Bobcats on Saturday.  Finally, the Pistons host New Jersey on Friday night, before heading to Indiana on Saturday. NBA betting odds should back the Bulls and Pistons to hold off the Bobcats, who nonetheless had a great season and are on the rise.

The West has all of their playoff spots locked up, and now it’s just a matter of order. Utah and Dallas hold the final two spots, and they’ll be looking to stay out of the eighth spot, as that team will take on the Lakers. Dallas hosts New Orleans on Friday, and the Hornets are only a game ahead of the Jazz and Mavericks. Utah takes their terrible road show to San Antonio to take on a Spurs team that is ailing. On Saturday, the Jazz get a gimme when they host Golden State. On Sunday, the Mavericks and Hornets complete their home-and-home with a nationally-televised contest in New Orleans. Look for the Hornets to sweep the Mavericks this weekend, while the Jazz should gain a split. Dallas should end up in the final spot, and against the Lakers, they don’t stand an NBA betting chance.

Well, North Carolina proved the Final Four odds right, romping past Michigan State 89-72 in Monday’s championship game. Here’s a look at the players who owned Detroit, and it’s no surprise that it’s loaded with Tar Heels and Spartans.

C -Goran Suton, Michigan State

The big man struggled with foul troubles in the Final Four betting upset over UConn, but he pulled off a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards, and was probably Michigan State’s best player. With his outside shooting skill, he could be a poor man’s Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the NBA.

F – Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

Hansbrough saved his best for last, averaging 18 points and nine boards during the final weekend of the Tournament. He got the national championship he deserved after a highly-decorated career, and now all eyes will be on him to see where he lands in the NBA.

F – Wayne Ellington, North Carolina

Ellington may have the most talent on this squad, and he averaged 19.5 points during Final Four weekend. Ellington was instrumental in the Tar Heels’ fast start against the Spartans, as all 19 of his points came in the first half. He could prove to be an effective scorer off the bench in the NBA.

G – Kalin Lucas, Michigan State

The sophomore guard got a lesson in the Carolina loss, as he committed a game-high six turnovers. Still, Lucas averaged 17 points during the last weekend, and his 21-point performance pushed the Spartans past UConn. He should be one of the top guards in the nation next season, making Michigan State a Final Four betting favorite.

G – Ty Lawson, North Carolina

Ellington won the Final Four’s Outstanding Player, but it should have gone to Lawson, who set an championship-game record with eight steals against Lucas and the Spartans. Lawson put up 21.5 points, 7.0 assists and 5.5 assists, and he was the driving force behind this championship run. He’ll probably go to the NBA, but he’ll always be remembered for this run, as the team that were the Final Four betting favorites all season, came up with the trophy.

And if you missed “One Shining Moment”, here it is, the best part of the NCAA Tournament:

North Carolina has been the Final Four betting favorite all season, and Monday’s national-championship game against Michigan State should be a coronation for the NCAA’s best team.

Michigan State vs North Carolina odds – Monday, April 6, 9:21 PM ET

The Spartans went toe-to-toe with a bigger UConn team, and came away with an 82-73 win on Saturday. The Spartans definitely felt their homecourt advantage, as the majority of the 72,000-plus at Ford Field were backing Michigan State. Kalin Lucas led the way with 21 points, while Raymar Morgan had 18 points and nine boards while playing with a broken nose.

The Tar Heels continued their improved defensive play with an 83-69 win over Villanova, holding the Wildcats to 32.9% from the floor. Ty Lawson had a brilliant all-around game with 22 points, eight assists and seven boards for Carolina, who have won their five Tournament games by an average margin of 20.8 points.

Final Four odds have the Tar Heels as a 7.5-point favorite, and they’re 5-2 alltime against the Spartans, including 3-0 in the Tournament. Carolina have already played Michigan State at Ford Field this year, and it ended with a 98-63 romp for the Tar Heels. The Spartans are better now, but the scary thing is, so is Carolina. With the way they are playing defense right now, the Tar Heels would probably give some NBA teams a run for their money. The crowd will play a role, but Carolina has been destined to win this title, since Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green all decided to come back and win a championship instead of playing in the NBA. Take North Carolina and their Final Four odds on Monday.

It’s time for Final Four betting picks….another NCAA tournament is winding down, and while there’ve been fewer upsets than usual, it’s good when the cream rises to the top. We know we’re being treated to some good quality basketball.

Michigan State vs Connecticut odds – Saturday, April 4, 6:47 PM ET

The Spartans beat Robert Morris, USC and Kansas before saving their best performance for last. Michigan State battered top overall seed Louisville all over the court for a 12-point win, holding the Cardinals to 38.3% from the field. Goran Suton is making a strong case to be on the All-Tournament team, as the big center is playing the best ball of his four-year career. Also, Michigan State isn’t worried about being a Final Four betting underdog: they’re 3-1 this season when the opposition is favored.

The Huskies have been the most impressive team in the Tournament, beating Chattanooga, Texas A&M, Purdue and Missouri by an average of 25.2 points. Only Mizzou really pushed the Huskies, who have outrebounded their opponents by 68. The Huskies have size, outside shooting, a great point guard in A.J. Price, and a future HOF coach in Jim Calhoun. And still, I’m picking against them.

UConn has a Final Four betting spread of four points, but they’ll face a unique problem in the Tournament: Michigan State’s campus is only 75 miles away. The Spartans’ faithful will be out in full force, serving as an extra man against the Huskies. UConn is used to having their way in the post, but they won’t with Michigan State, who is one of only two teams in the nation that is better than the Huskies on the boards. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is surely no slouch, and he’s had his boys ready for this moment all season. Bet on Michigan State for a Final Four betting upset on Saturday.

The biggest news in college hoops outside of Final Four betting has been an attempted return to glory by the University of Kentucky, who missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in 19 years this year, then got bounced from the NIT in the quarterfinals. Off came the head of Billy Gillespie after only two years, and in comes a coach that transformed a mid-major into a perennial Final Four betting contender.

John Calipari was given an 8-year, $31.7 million contract to take the programs with the most wins in NCAA history to the promised land, and he’s built a great reputation for himself. Back in 1998, UMass went 10-18 in Calipari’s first season, but by season two, they were in the NIT. Following another NIT appearance, UMass went to the NCAAs five straight years, capped by an appearance in the Final Four by a Marcus Camby-led squad. Then after a few years in the NBA, Calipari returned to take Memphis to the NITs in 2000, and they won a year later. Calipari ended his Memphis career with four straight invitations to the “Big Dance”, including a heart-breaking overtime loss in last year’s final, and that team won an NCAA-record 38 games. In fact, the last four years of Calipari’s reign saw the program win the most games in that time period for any NCAA team, but his loss should see the Tigers’ Final Four odds drop next year.

Now, does this mean an NCAA title will come to Kentucky? No…..well, not right away. Calipari’s never coached a “big” program, but his recruiting skills are lauded as some of the best in the nation. He could even persuade Jodie Meeks, a second-team All-American, and Patrick Patterson to come back, which would be a great foundation. Guaranteed, Kentucky’s Final Four odds for next year have gotten a giant boost from gaining Calipari. We know Ashley Judd will be ecstatic.

Two players make a repeat appearance in the Team of the Weekend as we head into Final Four betting, and although one of them won’t get to play this weekend, he probably played himself into a high draft pick in the NBA.

C – Goran Suton, Michigan State

The man in the middle for the Spartans averaged 19.5 points and 9.5 boards in wins over Kansas and Lousiville, and Suton is looking to close out his career at Michigan State with a national title. He’ll be counted on heavily if the Spartans are to stage a Final Four betting upset over Connecticut, but Suton can match up with UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet.

F- Sam Young, Pittsburgh

Young was easily Pitt’s best player during their NCAA run, and he put up 23.5 points against Xavier and Villanova, including 28 in the loss to the Wildcats. Young has an NBA-ready body and game, and staying four years at Pitt was definitely an asset. NBA betting players should keep an eye on this kid.

F- Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

Griffin was the first player since 1969 to put up 25 points and 10 boards in his first three Tournament games when he had 30 and 14 in Oklahoma’s Sweet 16 win over Syracuse, and he went down fighting in the loss to North Carolina, notching 23 points and 16 boards. We’ve surely seen the last of Griffin in the NCAA ranks, as a No.1 spot in the NBA draft awaits him, but Final Four betting players will remember the damage Griffin did in this Tournament.

G -Ty Lawson, North Carolina

It’s business as usual for the ACC Player of the Year, whose toe seems to be 100% now. Lawson averaged 19.0 points and 7.0 assists while leading the Tar Heels to double-digit wins over Gonzaga and Oklahoma, and he had only one turnover in each game. No one player is as important to one team’s Final Four odds as Lawson is to North Carolina’s, and they’re a much more relaxed and free-flowing team with him at the helm.

G – Scottie Reynolds, Villanova

Reynolds raised his game in the wins over Duke and Pitt, averaging 15.5 points, and he essentially sealed his spot in this team when he hit the game-winner against the Panthers to win the East region. Like Lawson, Reynolds is essential to his team’s Final Four odds, and the matchup between Lawson and Reynolds will likely decide the winner of the ‘Nova-UNC game.

Before we get to Final Four betting, here’s a look back at what happened during the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Poor Pitt….they left the Tournament without ever playing their best game. However, Sam Young probably played himself into the NBA lottery, and DeJuan Blair will probably give it a shot as well, seeing as how he’ll be a marked man without Young and Levance Fields around.

UConn’s been the team of the Tournament thus far, and never panicked when Missouri pushed them. Even with all the off-court stuff going on, the Huskies will be one of the Final Four betting favorites.

North Carolina showed they could play defense in their win over Oklahoma, but Tyler Hansbrough hasn’t done his draft stock any favors in this Tournament. Still, the Tar Heels have to be considered the Final Four betting favorites this weekend.

Cheers to Michigan State, who’ll be playing UConn in what will be a glorified home game, with the Final Four being held in Detroit. Their tough defense paved the way to Detroit, and this team of Spartans will be looking for a Final Four betting upset against the powerful Huskies.

Just because my March Madness betting is over, doesn’t mean I’ll stop watching and giving the scoop on each game. But really……Memphis deciding to give up on defense just ahead of the Final Four makes me sick to my stomach. I have a buddy who’s a UConn fan, and we were all ready to throw down on Saturday.

Missouri vs Connecticut – Saturday, March 28, 4:40 PM ET

The Huskies have a March Madness betting spread of 5.5 over the Tigers, who made Memphis look like a high school team. The Tigers will try to get UConn in a track meet, but the Huskies will focus on their size advantage, mainly with Hasheem Thabeet, who was a monster against Purdue. Take UConn to cover their March Madness betting spread against the pesky Tigers.

Villanova vs Pittsburgh odds – Saturday, March 28, 7:05 PM ET

The Panthers are 2-point March Madness betting favorites in this contest of Big East rivals, and they’ll be out to avenge a 10-point loss at ‘Nova back in January. Pitt still hasn’t played their best basketball, but it’s coming, as they showed in the second half of their win over Xavier. ‘Nova has been destroying the competition since their first-round scare, but San Young and DeJuan Blair are due to have a big game at the same time. Bet on Pitt to cover their March Madness betting spread for the first time this year.

While you wait for tonight’s games to start, here are your March Madness betting picks for tomorrow night’s games in the Midwest and South regions.

Arizona vs Louisville (Midwest) – 7:07 PM ET

The No.1 Cardinals are 9-point favorites in this contest, and with Arizona’s Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill going up against Louisville’s Terrence Williams and Earl Clark, NBA scouts should be drooling. The No.12 Wildcats won’t be able to keep up with Louisville’s pressure defense for 40 minutes and Williams played out of his mind in the last game. Take Louisville to cover the March Madness betting spread.

Syracuse vs Oklahoma (South) – 7:27 PM ET

The No.2 Sooners are a 1-point favorite against the No.3 Orangemen, who beat Oklahoma in the Elite Eight en route to the ’03 championship. Syracuse’s 2-3 zone will cause problems for Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, but freshman Willie Warren can burn the Orangemen from outside. The Sooners’ supporting cast don’t get a lot of credit, so expect them to come up big as Oklahoma covers the March Madness betting spread.

Kansas vs Michigan State (Midwest) – 9:37 PM ET

The No.3 Jayhawks are a 1.5-point underdog against the No.2 Spartans, who beat Kansas at home in January. These young Jayhawks are much better now, and in Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, they have one of the top inside/outside duos in the country. Go with the defending national champs in a March Madness betting upset.

Gonzaga vs North Carolina (South) – 9:57 PM ET

The No.1 Tar Heels are 8.5-point favorites as they try to hold off the No.4 Bulldogs, and this should be a high-scoring game for sportsbook players to take the over on. Ty Lawson should be ready to go for UNC, and when he’s on, there aren’t many teams that can run with the Tar Heels. Bet on North Carolina in this March Madness betting shootout, but they won’t cover.