5 NCAA Men’s Tournament Round of 64 Game Props to Bet

• The game props for the Round of 64 offer value for discerning bettors
• No. 1 UNC has a great chance to hit 100 points vs No. 16 Iona
• The alternate lines for two No. 12 seeds, Oregon and Murray State, are enticing

Before the 2019 NCAA Tournament tips off on Thursday (Mar. 21), everyone is scrambling to fill out brackets and handicap the lines. The game props don’t get as much attention, but there is value to be had.

Here’s a closer look at the bets we like most.

Best Bet #1: Virginia First Half (-13.5) vs Gardner Webb

Remember, No. 1 Virginia was embarrassed last season when they became the first-ever top seed to lose to a No. 16 seed. They didn’t just lose; they were blown out by 20. They’ll be focused and angry here.

UPDATE: We will play Gardner-Webb on Friday, March 2⃣2⃣ on @truTV at approximately 3 p.m. ?⚔️? #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/tob4otdmiL

— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) March 18, 2019

The other thing you have to remember about is that, before the UMBC loss, De’Andre Hunter got injured and was not able to play in that game. Hunter still is the best and most important player on the Virginia roster.

Look for the Cavaliers to come out, make an early statement and be up big at the half. A lot of people seem to agree as this half-time line was at -12 but has climbed to -13.5.

Best Bet #2: Oregon’s Alternate Line (-3) vs Wisconsin

This is an alternate spread that gives away five points. No. 12 Oregon is roughly a two-point dog, so now they would have to cover -3.

The Ducks enter the tournament on a roll having won four games in four days at the Pac-12 Tournament. The Pac-12 isn’t very good but Oregon played great defense all four days and seems to be playing with urgency and togetherness. Dana Altman has a lot of long and rangy defenders who can get in passing lanes, create deflections, and force turnovers.

Pac-12 Champions: The Celebration. @OregonMBB #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/ze0NOd9dat

— GoDucks (@GoDucks) March 19, 2019

While Oregon heads in with momentum, No. 5 Wisconsin is at the other end of the spectrum. They were handled very easily by Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament and they barely beat a mediocre Nebraska team before that.

The Ducks have won five of their last six neutral-site games and are 18-4 in their last 22 March games. I’m expecting a win and cover from the Ducks here.

Best Bet #3: North Carolina Team Total (Over 95.5)

No. 16 Iona (46th in tempo) and No. 1 North Carolina (5th in tempo) both love to run. This game will see lots of points on both sides. Iona has no desire to slow down this game as coach Tim Cluess likes his Gaels to run.

Maybe that works against mid-majors but they’re going to give up a lot of points to the Tar Heels here.

.@stephenasmith is taking the Tar Heels to win the title ? pic.twitter.com/UdlC6yeMUs

— First Take (@FirstTake) March 19, 2019

North Carolina always loves to run as well. Roy Williams is never satisfied with his team’s tempo, even though they’re top-five in the country.

Since Iona has no one who can challenge North Carolina on defense, the Tar Heels should score at least 105 points.

Best Bet #4: Murray State’s Alternate Line (-2) vs Marquette

No. 5 Marquette has really struggled down the stretch run of the season, losing five of their last six entering the tournament. Markus Howard, their star player, missed a lot of free throws at the Big East Tournament and might be losing his shooting touch at precisely the wrong time.

Howard was 1/15 from the field in the Big East semifinals against Seton Hall, a game Marquette led by as many as 12 and by six with less than ten minutes to play.

? THE FUTURE IS HERE ?

? Ja Morant ? pic.twitter.com/bElGmCVZMg

— Max Frishberg (@MaxaMillion711) March 16, 2019

Murray State has Ja Morant, one of the best and most exciting players in the country. He’s expected to be a top-five pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Marquette will have a very tough time corralling him.

Add it all up and I’m expecting a Racers win, so I’ll give up some points for a better price.

Best Bet #5: Washington vs Utah State Alternate Under (140.5)

I like the under in this game with the regular line but I’ll take some extra points to be safe.

Washington Huskies head coach @Coach_Hopkins joins the crew to discuss the nerves of not knowing whether or not his squad would earn an at-large bid.@UW_MBB pic.twitter.com/ZgVXGpPT92

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 18, 2019

No. 9 Washington plays the 2-3 zone and we’ve seen what happens when a team like Syracuse puts it into effect in the NCAA Tournament. It usually leads to lower-scoring games. UW coach Mike Hopkins (a former Jim Boeheim assistant with the Orange) has imported the same defense from Syracuse.

Washington is second in the nation in blocked shots per game and both teams are in the upper tier of defenses in the country. At the same time, they are both in the top 60 in fewest points allowed.

This has under written all over it.

SBD’s Regional Previews

• Odds to Win the West Region of 2019 March Madness Tournament
• Duke Listed as Odds-On Favorite to Win East Region of March Madness Bracket
• South Region Preview: Virginia Listed at +140 to Reach Final Four
• Midwest Region Odds: UNC Given Worst Odds of #1 Seeds to Make Final Four

SBD’s Other March Madness coverage:

• The Guide to Filling Out Your March Madness Bracket for Non-College Basketball Fans
• The 5 Best Teams to Bet in 2019 March Madness Against the Spread
• Head-to-Head Odds to Win More Games in the 2019 Men’s NCAA Tournament
• Odds on Which Conference Will Win the 2019 NCAA Tournament
• Odds to Make the Sweet 16 in 2019 March Madness Tournament
• Kentucky Given Best NCAA Tournament Odds Among Non-No. 1 Seeds
• Gonzaga Given Second-Best Odds to Win 2019 March Madness After Selection Sunday
• Duke Enters 2019 March Madness Tournament as Heavy Favorite
• Odds Say Two #1 Seeds Make 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four
• Over/Under Sum of Seeds in 2019 Final Four Set at 10.5