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Your bracket is bleeding — profusely. It’s time to regain pool investments lost. In an attempt to offer a helping hand, Brad Evans reassess NCAA Tournament futures with the Sweet 16 set. Below is the market that has his attention in the Midwest Region.
The pick — Tennessee to make the Final Four (+240, BetMGM)
Chalkity, chalk, chalk, chalk.
In a region this scribe mistakenly predicted would live in the Upside Down, the Midwest has gone by the book 1-2-3-4.
This is why Vegas casinos sprout new wings.
However, with the original prognostication still alive and kicking, there’s zero reason to invest elsewhere. Houston is the odds-on favorite at -125, but the representatives from Knoxville define what all gamblers seek — “value.”
Yes, Rick Barnes’ alleged NCAA Tournament struggles are well-documented. He’s a very average 32-28 in Big Dance games. However, he also has three Elite Eights and one Final Four on his resume. Frankly, the postseason disdain toward him isn’t completely warranted.
Among the teams still standing in Indianapolis, Tennessee presents the most balance. Whether on offense or defense, all remaining squads have noticeable blemishes.
Houston is No. 174 in effective field goal percentage offense over the last 30 days. Kentucky and Purdue rank No. 256 and No. 271, respectively, in eFG% D over the same span. The Volunteers aren’t world beaters in either category, but inside the top 90 in both, they sport the most handsome profile.
Most importantly, Tennessee arguably has the best individual scorer among the still-beating schools in the region.
Chaz Lanier is a baller. Particularly dangerous from outside, he’s shooting 41.0% on 3-pointers this season. Also blessed with midrange accuracy and strong-to-the-bucket skills, the 6-foot-4 senior guard is wired to score. In the Vols’ victories over Wofford and UCLA, he scored a combined 49 points and splashed 10 3s.
Rocky Top’s bucket isn’t a one-man band. Zakai Zeigler is an efficient passer and pesky defender. Jahmai Mashack is a defensive kleptomaniac who occasionally exercises the clutch gene. Jordan Gainey has turned into a premier downhill finisher. And bigs Igor Milicic Jr. and Felix Okpara are why Tennessee is No. 1 in near-proximity percentage D, according to Haslametrics.
The Volunteers haven’t exactly waxed the glass over the last month, but they do seal games often at the free-throw line (74.3%). They will overcome their weaknesses and march on.
Take Smokey for a walk.