If you're thinking about putting some of your hard-earned cash on the NCAA Tournament, give yourself the best chance of getting the most out of your bankroll by making value picks.
Sure, if you want to safely make a little cash, your best bets are Duke, North Carolina, Villanova and Kentucky. The NCAA Tournament champion has been seeded third or higher all but four times since 1985. But if you really want to hit it big, you have to think outside the box and then hope for chaos.
I'm not saying you should bet your child's college fund on South Dakota State and Texas Southern winning the whole thing, but putting some cash on some of the teams in the top third or middle tier wouldn't be a bad idea.
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Here are five value picks that wouldn't be too crazy. All odds via BetOnline.
NCAA Tournament odds: Best values
1. Wichita State (15/1, +1500)
This team won't sneak up on anyone like the 2013 team did when it danced all the way to the Final Four as a No. 9 seed. It also isn't nearly as talented as the 2014 team that earned a No. 1 seed. Still, this year's Shockers do a number of things well that are typical of Cinderellas. They're 12th in the country in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency rating (119.6) and are fifth in rebounds per game (40.1). Their defense isn't too shabby either, ranking 19th in KenPom's defensive efficiency (93.2). That's a nice mix.
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2. SMU (33/1, +3300)
Led by Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye, the Mustangs look like a team ready to make noise in the tournament after being ineligible last season because of NCAA violations. They pose a difficult matchup for teams because of their length on the perimeter. SMU has four guards 6-5 or taller who play major minutes and can shoot from outside. Plus, a player like Ojeleye could single-handedly carry the Mustangs for stretches. Like Wichita State, SMU is dangerous this time of year because it can score and defend.
MORE: Cinderellas' chances in each region
3. Notre Dame (40/1, +4000)
This veteran-laden squad has a double-double machine in Bonzie Colson, a group of efficient 3-point shooters and a solid coach in Mike Brey. Of course, playing in a rugged ACC has certainly prepared the Irish well for a gauntlet like the NCAA Tournament.
BENDER: Play the odds when picking Sweet 16, Final Four teams
4. Iowa State (33/1, +3300)
The Cyclones are getting hot at the right time, having won nine of their last 10 games, and they have one of the nation's top point guards leading the charge. Monte Morris (16.3 points, 6.1 assists per game) may have been overshadowed by Kansas' Frank Mason III in the Big 12 this season, but he gives the Cyclones a chance to beat anybody. Morris and off-guard Deonte Burton give Iowa State one of the best backcourts in the field. The Cyclones do a lot of their damage from the perimeter, ranking in the top 15 in both 3-pointers per game (10.0) and 3-point field goal percentage (40.2).
MORE: Interactive bracket | Complete NCAA Tournament coverage
5. Middle Tennessee (200/1, +20000)
Many are predicting the Blue Raiders to build on last year's tournament success and make even more noise this March. MTSU, which upset No. 2 Michigan State last year, has inside and outside options capable of scoring with some of the nation's top teams. Arkansas transfer JaCorey Williams is a stud on the inside, while guards Giddy Potts and Reggie Upshaw are back after lighting up the tournament last year.