Baylor vs. Colgate: 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks
Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament game: Baylor vs. Colgate. And make sure to check out our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Optimizer to take down your pools!
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2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks: Baylor vs. Colgate
Baylor 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview
If you are on the “offense wins championship†train, here is the team for you. Look away if you are on the “defense wins championships†side. While it may not be as extreme as last season, Baylor’s defense still ranks outside the top 60 in KenPom efficiency metrics, allowing over 80 points to teams like Florida, West Virginia, and Texas. It’s important to note that the Bears won all those respective games due to their offense. Anyone on this team can ignite at any point and bring this team back from any depth.
Against Houston in February, Baylor was down by double-digits and went on a tear in the second half to get the game into overtime. Considering they shoot nearly 40% from the arc, Baylor is never out of any game. Their offensive rebound rate and free throw rate sit in the top 25 in the nation, so they have fallbacks to off-shooting night, considering they can manufacture points from nothing. Scott Drew is a remarkable coach and they have faced the single most difficult strength of schedule all year. The Langston Love injury is concerning but with Ja’Kobe Walter and RayJ Dennis at the helm, this team is the definition of high-floor/low-ceiling.
Colgate 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview
Matt Langel has led Colgate to their fourth straight tournament as the representative out of the Patriot League. They have yet to win a tournament game in his tenure, so maybe this will be the change. If you are aware of the Colgate of old, this team has a different identity. Last year’s squad led the nation in three-point shooting percentage; this year, it ranks around 75th. As Will Warren points out, there’s a big reason why Colgate hasn’t had success in the tournament, and that comes down to one thing: Shot volume.
Ranking outside the top 300 in both offensive rebound rates, the Raiders don’t have dynamic options in the scoring department. Their perimeter defense is solid and they own a near top-100 defense. They also have the 342nd overall strength of schedule, with only one win all year against a top-150 KenPom team. The NCAA Tournament is a different beast and it will be a David vs. Goliath-type game for Colgate.
2024 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Baylor vs. Colgate
Don't get me wrong, Baylor is the better team, but Colgate lines up quite well with Baylor's defense. Baylor can sling it from deep, with the sixth-highest shooting percentage from deep. However, the Raiders can defend solidly, with the 11th-best perimeter defense in the league. The Bears have consistently shot worse away from home, but Baylor doesn't allow anything easy with few second-chance opportunities and limited fouls. Colgate's defense will slow down an already slow Baylor team and with both teams’ perimeter defense and pacing, expect fewer points here.
2024 NCAA Tournament Picks: Baylor vs. Colgate
Bet: Under 137.5 (-110 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
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2024 NCAA Tournament Sports Betting Picks
Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament
EAST REGION
- UCONN v Stetson (1v16)
- Iowa St. v South Dakota St. (2v15)
- Illinois v Morehead St. (3v14)
- Auburn v Yale (4v13)
- San Diego St. v UAB (5v12)
- BYU v Duquesne (6v11)
- Washington St. v Drake (7v10)
- Florida Atlantic v Northwestern (8v9)
MIDWEST REGION
- Montana St/Grambling St PLAY IN
- Virginia/Colorado St. PLAY IN
- Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s (2v15)
- Creighton vs. Akron (3v14)
- Kansas vs. Samford (4v13)
- Gonzaga vs. McNeese (5v12)
- South Carolina vs. Oregon (6v11)
- Utah St. vs. TCU (8v9)
SOUTH REGION
- Boise St./Colorado PLAY IN
- Houston vs. Longwood (1v16)
- Marquette vs. Western Kentucky (2v15)
- Kentucky vs. Oakland (3v14)
- Duke vs. Vermont (4v13)
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison (5v12)
- Texas Tech vs. NC State (6v11)
- Nebraska vs. Texas A&M (8v9)
WEST REGION
- Howard/Wagner PLAY IN
- Arizona vs. Long Beach St. (2v15)
- Baylor vs. Colgate (3v14)
- Alabama vs. Charleston (4v13)
- Saint Mary’s vs. Grand Canyon (5v12)
- Clemson vs. New Mexico (6v11)
- Dayton vs. Nevada (7v10)
- Mississippi St. vs. Michigan St. (8v9)
2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Pool Strategy & Picks
Below we provide strategy, advice, and picks to create the optimal NCAA Tournament bracket. And be sure to use our FREE bracket optimizer to build a winning men’s NCAA tournament bracket and take down your contest!