March Madness First-Round Betting Guide: 3 Underdog Picks with High Value Potential
The 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket release reveals several promising first-round underdog opportunities worth targeting early.
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Drake (+5.5) vs Missouri
- Drake's defense ranks 8th nationally over the last three games
- Missouri's 5th-ranked offense faces tough defensive matchup
- Line opened higher than expected at +5.5
- Strong potential for straight-up win
- Best odds: DraftKings (-102)
Yale (+7.5) vs Texas A&M
- Yale shoots 37% from three-point range
- Texas A&M struggles defending three-pointers
- Slow-paced game favors Yale's style
- Spread too wide for teams' relative strength
- Best odds: FanDuel (-110)
Liberty (+5.5) vs Oregon
- Nation's best effective field goal percentage
- Slow pace will disrupt Oregon's 76 PPG offense
- Unconventional style makes preparation difficult
- Strong upset potential straight-up
- Best odds: DraftKings (-110)
All three underdogs show legitimate potential for not just covering but winning outright. Early line movement suggests acting quickly on these values before odds adjust.
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