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The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Betting Tips / March Madness Upset Predictions 2024

March Madness Upset Predictions 2024: Who Has the Best Chance for the Upset?

Basketball Betting Tips · - ·

Publish Date: 03/19/2024
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

It is that time of year again, as March Madness is upon us, and as always, it’s time for you to fill out your brackets. To have a great bracket, you have to be able to pick the upsets that happen every year. The past few years have seen multiple 15- and 16-seeds pull off massive upsets and destroy everyone’s brackets. Today we will look at the teams with the best chance to pull off the upset. If you are going to pick the best upsets of the NCAA tournament, you need the best betting apps.

Upset Possibilities

(13) VERMONT OVER (4) DUKE

Duke is one of the marquee names in March Madness, and victory against them is a surefire way of making an impressionful statement about its team in March Madness. Vermont must feel they deserve an NCAA Tournament breakthrough after dropping in the previous two postseasons at first-round level.

Few teams have seen as much success as Vermont in recent months- their 10-game winning streak and depth make knocking off national title contenders far from impossible for this Catamount squad, which features 10+ deep rotations with only one loss overall in the 2024 calendar year so far!

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: Vermont to win
  • Vermont +530
  • Duke inconsistent
  • Vermont Depth is a strength
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13) SAMFORD OVER (4) KANSAS

This trending upset pick below the No. 12 seed line is an irresistibly attractive opportunity. On one hand, Samford’s explosive offense and propensity to score quickly under head coach Bucky McMillan’s “Bucky Ball” system may prove too much for Kansas to keep up with, yet Kansas possesses more talent even at reduced strength compared to their opponent; at altitude in Salt Lake City Utah this game likely favors Samford; making this first-round matchup one of the most captivating matchups seen in this tournament!

This is a game that should not be missed! Samford’s non-conference was not especially tough, and Purdue destroyed them and the best non-conference win was over Belmont. The upset opportunity lies here with the health, or lack of health, of the Kansas Jayhawks.

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: Samford to win
  • Samford +260
  • Kansas Health
  • Samford Depth is a strength
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(13) CHARLESTON OVER (4) ALABAMA

Charleston Cougars could find success against the Alabama Crimson Tide in their first-round matchup. Pat Kelsey’s squad enters the Big Dance riding a 12-game winning streak and eight victories, scoring over 80 points.

Charleston is one of few mid-major programs that can match Alabama’s expansive offense. Alabama has not played impressive defense this season, especially as we approach the NCAA tournament.

Crimson Tide opponents have scored over 100 points three times in six games played recently and over 80 in each defeat they suffered.

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: Charleston to win +
  • Samford +374
  • Both teams lack defense
  • Samford Depth is a strength
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(12) GRAND CANYON OVER (5) SAINT MARY’S

Saint Mary’s has upended Gonzaga from their position at the top of the West Coast Conference pecking order this season, winning with both the regular-season and conference tournament championships. Ranked No. 20 by KenPom and boasting victories against Gonzaga, Colorado State, New Mexico and San Francisco to help secure their ranking as No. 5 seeds.

However, no one should feel comfortable having Grand Canyon sit in the opposite corner in Round 1; with Tyon Grant-Foster leading GCU’s 29 wins with an average of 19.8 scoring and 6 boards per game, any team should fear meeting Grand Canyon in Round 1. Grand Canyon lost a close game to South Carolina and beat San Diego State. The schedule has not been tough, but this is a good team that can beat anyone.

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: Grand Canyon to win
  • Grand Canyon +195
  • Grant Foster will be the best player on the court
  • Saint Marys experience a factor
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GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.

(11) NC STATE OVER (6) TEXAS TECH

Darrion Williams and Warren Washington will significantly affect this matchup as Texas Tech relies heavily on them as its top three-point shooters and leading rebounders on the floor.

If these two can’t participate at 100% or don’t suit up at all, NC State’s chances of keeping its postseason momentum rolling would increase significantly after reeling off five straight victories – including victories over Duke, Virginia, and North Carolina — to capture an ACC title, NC State will be dangerous in this game even if Texas Tech is healthy.

This game would be a perfect pick to include in a March Madness parlay!

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: N.C. State to win
  • N.C.State +160
  • Will Texas Tech be healthy
  • NC State on 5 Game win streak
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14) OAKLAND OVER (3) KENTUCKY

This seems like a mismatch, but if you look closer, it’s not! Oakland is a veteran team with an outstanding coach who’s been with the team for forty years. This is the one game on this list I am sure about.

Oakland’s experience will take down a UK team full of four- and five-star talent. Veteran players are men, and Kentucky, for the most part, has kids. Bet on the men in this game. The Wildcats will be forced to win this game from the three-point line, and they will hit their share, but experience wins out. I know it seems crazy but trust me on this one and you will make bank.

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: Oakland to win
  • Oakland +750
  • Oakland will control the tempo
  • Kentucky is too inexperienced
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(12) JAMES MADISON OVER (5) WISCONSIN

Wisconsin has done little since January to suggest they are reliable postseason contenders, prompting the selection committee to place them at No. 5. However, James Madison, which leads the nation in winning percentage (tied with UConn), boasts 31 victories leading up to March Madness with their Fast Break floor game and shooting 35% or better from three-point range – providing James Madison an edge against Wisconsin in March Madness.

Wisconsin is bad enough that it lost to Indiana 74-70 just two weeks ago and has truly been overseeded by the selection committee. JMU took down Michigan State at the start of the season, and the Big Ten is overrated and used to getting upset early on. Wisconsin is a talented team, but it is inconsistent.

DraftKings
DraftKings
4.6/5
Tip: James Madison to win
  • James madison +195
  • WJMU averages 84 ppg
  • Wisconsin poor on defense
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