With the Sweet 16 field set, it’s time to blow out the candles, gift ourselves handsome plus-money futures and celebrate the action. What lookahead markets has this Molly Ringwald’s undivided attention? Read my play in the West Region below.
The pick: Arizona to win the West Region (+150, DraftKings)
Strutting their stuff down the runway sporting tight black jeans, a cream-colored cashmere turtleneck, a plaid-patterned sport coat and fancy leather shoes, the Pac-12 is going out in style. College football, which failed Geography 101, acted in greed due to TV’s influential cash, dismantling an iconic, 109-year-old college conglomerate.
Goodbye, sweet sweet Conference of Champions. Bill Walton will never recover.
In its final NCAA Tournament, the Left Coast League went undefeated in the first round, and even though it only has one team remaining, the Arizona Wildcats have strong odds of representing the Pac-12 in the Final Four — on familiar stomping grounds, no less— in Glendale, Arizona.
Cue the Right Said Fred, bettors. Yeah, shake your little tush on the Catwalk.
[ More Sweet 16 futures: East Region | Midwest Region | South Region ]
Admittedly, this incongruent bettor had a ticket for Baylor to take the West at +800 (and it’s now ripped to shreds). But, in an attempt to secure a profit, tossing out an additional one-unit bet on Tommy Lloyd’s team is a smart money move.
As we wind deeper into the tournament and the shocker specials subside, team construction becomes the emphasis in maintaining longevity. The Wildcats check that box.
On offense, Arizona showcases the necessary goods. At No. 11 overall this month, according to BartTorvik’s metrics, it has scored 1.166 points per possession and posted a top-45 ranking in effective field-goal percentage. It also shot 52.2% inside the arc and 38.6% outside of it.
Point man Kylan Boswell and veteran arc assassin Caleb Love form a dynamite backcourt. Pelle Larson, who nets 44.1% from three, is a stellar do-it-all wing. And big-boy bangers Keshad Johnson and Oumar Ballo bludgeon opponents in the paint.
KESHAD JOHNSON BREAKS OUT THE WINDMILL 😳#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hX9DKLjCXY
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2024
Defensively, the Wildcats mouth an even louder MEOW. Over their last eight games, they’ve given up a crippling 0.902 points per possession and slot No. 54 nationally in effective field-goal percentage defense. They’ve regularly waxed the glass, limiting foes to one-and-dones. So far in March, they’ve held teams to 48.1% shooting from two and 28.9% from three.
Yes, if Arizona advances to the Elite Eight, it could face North Carolina in what would be a multi-round prizefight. However, the Wildcats’ lack of weaknesses (on paper) and team-wide balance are impossible to ignore.
Turn out the lights. This one is for the many wonderful years living “after dark" with the Pac-12.