While the Super Bowl is the biggest single-day sports betting event, the NCAA basketball tournament actually takes in a higher volume of wagers. Sports fans and bettors embrace the excitement of March Madness each spring. There are many aspects to consider before wagering on college basketballs showcase event.
When the college basketball season begins in November, over 300 division 1-A schools start the year with a certain goal. All of these teams hope to wind up in the NCAA tournament. In the end, only 68 schools will get a bid to the tourney.
Four Stages of a College Hoops Season
There are four stages to a college hoops season. First, there are the non-conference games in November and December. Teams use these games to build some momentum heading into conference play. The conference games are the second stage of the season in January and February. In March, the next stage occurs with the conference tournaments. The three initial stages are factored together to determine which 68 teams will get to advance to the fourth stage. The final stage is the NCAA tournament. Each stage has some unique aspects for the bookmaker and bettor to consider.
Tuneup Games
Early in the season, major conference teams will play a lot of home games against minor conference squads. These are viewed as tuneup games for the big schools and a chance for the minor conference clubs to compete against elite teams. In the first two months of the season, teams will usually play at least a couple of games at a neutral site. These holiday tournaments enable schools to get a taste of the atmosphere that is yet to come in March….