- SBD’s experts have filled out their 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets
- See which upsets the experts are picking in the early rounds
- Who do they see winning the 2024 March Madness championship?
After the First Four on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20, the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament will officially commence on Thursday, March 21.
Fairweather college basketball fans the nation over have until noon ET on Thursday to fill out their brackets and enter the pool of their choice.
As we do every year, SBD’s experts have compiled all of their brackets in one handy spot. Use the links below to jump directly to a bracket. The table under the links summarizes the main points of each expert’s bracket.
Jump to: Sascha Paruk’s Bracket | Zach Reger’s Bracket | Ian Jones’ Bracket | Matthew Eichhorn’s Bracket
SBD Expert March Madness Picks 2024
| Expert | National Champ | Final Four | Biggest 1st-Round Upset | First #1 Seed to Lose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sascha Paruk | #3 Creighton (+3000) | East: #2 Iowa State (+400) MidWest: #3 Creighton (+400) South: #1 Houston (+140) West: #1 UNC (+230) |
#13 Charleston (+370) over #4 Alabama | Purdue (Sweet 16) |
| Zach Reger | #1 Houston (+500) | East: #1 UConn (+110) MidWest: #3 Creighton (+400) South: #1 Houston (+140) West: #2 Arizona (+190) |
#13 Vermont (+550) over #4 Duke | North Carolina (Sweet 16) |
| Matthew Eichorn | #1 UConn (+400) | East: # UConn (+110) MidWest: #3 Creighton (+400) South: #12 James Madison (+7500) West: #2 Arizona (+190) |
#13 Vermont (+550) over #4 Duke | Houston (Round of 32) |
| Ian Jones | #1 UConn (+400) | East: #1 UConn (+110) MidWest: #1 Purdue (+165) South: #1 Houston (+140) West: #2 Arizona (+190) |
#12 McNeese (+225) over #5 Gonzaga | North Carolina (Sweet 16) |
Sascha Paruk’s March Madness Bracket
I have loved the upside of this Creighton team since day one (actually since last year). The Bluejays aren’t deep but their starting five is as good as any in the country. They finished the regular season winning seven of eight, including double-digit wins over UConn (85-66) and Marquette (89-75) before a subpar showing against Providence in the Big East Tournament (78-73 loss).
I have no concerns about that setback snowballing. Greg McDermott returns the top-three scorers (Baylor Scheierman, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Trey Alexander) from a team that reached the Elite Eight last season as a #6 seed, beating #11 NC State (72-63) and #3 Baylor (85-76) before snuffing out #15 Princeton’s Cinderella run (86-75). They bowed out to eventual national runner-up San Diego State in a 57-56 heartbreaker.
My biggest first-round upset is one that’s not on many people’s radar: #13 Charleston over #4 Alabama. This is the Cougars’ second straight trip to the dance, and they gave San Diego State all they could handle in the first round last year, falling 57-53 in a game that was tied at 53 with three minutes to play. A lot of last year’s significant contributors are back, including guard Reyne Smith (12.8 PPG) and forward Ante Brzovic (12.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG).
Alabama is a fast-paced, three-point-happy team that launches 46.9% of its shots from beyond the arc (19th-most in DI). When their shots are falling, they can beat any team in the nation. When they’re not, you wind up with ugly losses. Five of Bama’s 11 setbacks this season came by at least 13 points. Charleston defends the three-point line fairly well (33.8%) and was 17th in the nation in that category last year (30.1%).
Zach Reger’s March Madness Bracket
Houston did not miss a step in their first season in the Big 12. They finished 30-4, won the regular season title, and lost in the Big 12 Championship game. They have everything a March Madness champion needs: tournament experience, a suffocating defense, and excellent guard play. This year’s Houston team differs from others due to their offense. Jamal Shead has taken a big step forward this season, and Baylor transfer LJ Cryer has given the Cougars a much-needed spark on offense while still being able to play strong defense.
At least one #13 seed has beaten a #4 seed in 27 of 38 tournaments, and there are two I like this year. The bigger upset is Vermont (+550 ML) over Duke in the South Region. Duke has been vulnerable, especially late in the season. They get a tough draw against a Vermont team that is making their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Vermont is hungry to force an upset, has a defense that could cause fits for Duke, and can shoot the ball well from behind the arc.
The other #13 seed is Samford (+260 ML) over Kansas in the Midwest. Samford can score fast and often, and they use a lot of different players to keep their legs fresh. Kansas has been without their top two stars (Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar) and, even though they should play in the tournament, they might not be at the level they’re used to. Samford’s ability to force turnovers could be just enough to give the Jayhawks a run for their money.
Matthew Eichhorn’s March Madness Bracket
I don’t see any way that this tournament doesn’t end up with the Huskies going back-to-back. Easily the best two-way team in college hoops this season, I simply can’t pick against them, regardless of the matchup.
It won’t all be chalk this March Madness, however. I foresee a deep run in store for James Madison, a team that has tremendous skill, but also a style that will act as kryptonite to some of the top-seeds in this year’s tournament.
Ian Jones’ March Madness Bracket
March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans, as 68 teams compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion. With so many games and teams to keep track of, it can be overwhelming to try and predict the outcome of each matchup. That’s where expert bracket picks come in handy.
Sports Betting Dime (SBD) is a trusted source for sports betting information, and their expert analysts have put together their picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. These experts have years of experience in analyzing college basketball teams and matchups, and their insights can help you make informed decisions when filling out your bracket.
When it comes to making March Madness bracket picks, there are a few key factors to consider. One of the most important things to look at is a team’s performance throughout the regular season. Teams that have consistently performed well against tough competition are more likely to succeed in the tournament.
Another important factor to consider is a team’s seeding. Higher-seeded teams are generally considered to be stronger and more likely to advance in the tournament. However, upsets are common in March Madness, so it’s also important to consider matchups and potential Cinderella teams that could make a deep run.
SBD’s expert analysts take all of these factors into account when making their bracket picks. They analyze each team’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as their performance in key statistical categories such as scoring offense and defense, rebounding, and turnovers. By considering all of these factors, SBD’s experts are able to make informed predictions about which teams are most likely to succeed in the tournament.
Of course, no one can predict the outcome of every game in March Madness with 100% accuracy. The beauty of the tournament lies in its unpredictability, and upsets are a common occurrence. However, by using expert bracket picks from sources like SBD, you can increase your chances of making successful picks and winning your bracket pool.
So whether you’re a die-hard college basketball fan or just looking to have some fun with friends during March Madness, be sure to check out SBD’s expert bracket picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. With their insights and analysis, you’ll be well-equipped to make informed decisions when filling out your bracket and following along with all the excitement of the tournament.
