LSU’s March Madness Odds Still +8000 After Win at Kentucky

• LSU is still an extreme long shot to win the 2019 NCAA Tournament, despite being one of the hottest teams in the nation.
• The Tigers have won 13 of their last 14 and are 10-1 in SEC play.
• Is there value betting on LSU to win March Madness?

LSU may be best known for its storied football program, but it’s the Tigers basketball team that’s making all the headlines these days.

.@LSUBasketball AT THE BUZZER ?

TIGERS WIN! TIGERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/cIUUx9NHA5

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 13, 2019

After knocking off the no. 5 Wildcats in Kentucky, LSU now has victories in 13 of its last 14 games, including five straight on the road.  But despite their remarkable two-month run, the Tigers average odds to win the NCAA Tournament are +8000, and some sportsbooks have them priced even longer.

Odds to Win 2019 NCAA Tournament: SEC Contenders

*All odds as of Feb. 13, 2019

The lack of respect is surprising considering LSU has already navigated the toughest part of its schedule and has just one major test remaining: February 23rd against Tennessee.

Conference Crushers

The Tigers have taken the SEC by storm, winning 10 of their first 11 conference games.  They have signature victories over three teams ranked inside the top 25 at Kenpom.com, including their aforementioned upset of 7th-rated Kentucky (plus 17th-rated Auburn and 23rd-rated Mississippi).

When you beat the No. 5 team in the nation on the road ?#BootUp ? pic.twitter.com/VNaZ22AtsH

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) February 13, 2019

They rank first in the SEC in points, field goals, free throws, rebounds and steals, and no team in the conference forces more turnovers.

Tremont Waters gets at least a steal a game like this. His sense of when to leave his man and pounce is uncanny. pic.twitter.com/UxRPpEMbee

— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) February 13, 2019

Tremont Waters has Been Terrific

LSU has four players that average double-digit points per game, but Tremont Waters is the heart and soul of the program.  The sophomore guard has been outstanding this season, commanding the Tiger offense and averaging 15.7 points, 6.0 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

He’s excelled in conference play, increasing his scoring to 20 points per game, and he dropped a career-high 36 in a win at Texas A&M two weeks ago.

What a night for #LSU‘s Tremont Waters.

36 points
7 rebounds
3 steals
1 assist
1 block#BootUp pic.twitter.com/PYurHYx9pT

— TigerDroppings (@TigerDroppings) January 31, 2019

While freshman centre Naz Reid is considered the better pro prospect, Waters’ tenacity on defense and his elite court vision have been the key to LSU’s surprise success.

Another LSU corner cut lob for Marlon Taylor tonight out of a Tremont Waters’ ball screen: pic.twitter.com/9lViUrXgvF

— Jordan Sperber (@hoopvision68) February 13, 2019

Pull the trigger on the Tigers

Not only is LSU going to be playing in the NCAA Tournament this year (for just the second time in 10 seasons) but they’re going to make noise.  This is one of the most athletic teams in the nation, one that defends well and can score both inside and out.

Naz Reid gives LSU the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/IcunqloxSE

— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) February 13, 2019

They have size, speed and one of the best guards in college basketball running their offense.  The fact that some books have them priced twice as long as Auburn, a team with a worse record whom LSU just beat, is clearly an oversight.

Act now before their odds are sliced in half.