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

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Basketball

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 7:17 AM PDT

LSU forward Naz Reid.
Naz Reid (pictured) gives LSU first-round NBA talent in the frontcourt, while Tremont Waters has been sensational in the Tiger backcourt. At +1000 to win the East Region, are the scandal-plagued Tigers good value? Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire.
  • 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.

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

Team Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds Book 3 Odds
Tennessee Volunteers +750 +1200 +700
Kentucky Wildcats +800 +1400 +1000
Auburn Tigers +5500 +5000 +10000
LSU Tigers +10000 +10000 +4000
Mississippi State Bulldogs +10000 +6000 +10000

*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).

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 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.

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.

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.


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.

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