March Madness is a thrilling time for college basketball fans, and it’s essential to keep track of the critical dates to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the action. The first important date is Selection Sunday on March 12, when the tournament schedule and bracket are published. The tournament officially starts with the First Four on March 14-15, where four unseeded teams compete for a place in the main tournament. 

The First Round, with 64 teams competing in elimination games, occurs on March 16-17, followed by the Second Round on March 18-19. The Sweet 16 occurs on March 23-24, followed by the Elite Eight on March 25-26. Finally, the Final Four takes place on April 1, culminating in the championship game. With so many exciting games occurring over such a short period, March Madness Betting action is not to be missed.

Every year, there are a few teams that exceed expectations and make a deep run in the tournament, and some have incredibly high pre-tournament odds. The 2014 Connecticut Huskies had the highest pre-tournament odds of any March Madness champion, at +6500 or 66 to 1. A $1,000 bet on UConn before the tournament would have resulted in a payout obet.com/en/sports/basketball/usa-f $66,000 if they had gone on to win it all. This was a remarkable feat for a team not even ranked in the top 25 at the start of the tournament.

The 2011 Connecticut Huskies also had high pre-tournament odds, at +4000 or 41 to 1. They managed to defy the odds and win the championship, resulting in a payout of $41,000 on a $1,000 bet. These two UConn teams are the only ones on this list, highlighting their impressive runs. Other notable teams include the 1985 and 2016 Villanova Wildcats, who had pre-tournament odds of +3000 and +2500, respectively. These teams proved that it was possible to win the tournament as a long shot and provided some unforgettable moments for college basketball fans everywhere.

As we gear up for another exciting March Madness tournament, it’s important to remember that anything can happen in the world of college basketball. The underdogs often surprise us with their incredible runs, and some of these teams have had the highest pre-tournament odds in the history of the tournament. From UConn’s incredible run in 2014 to Villanova’s shocking victory in 1985, March Madness has provided us with some unforgettable moments over the years.

Whether you’re a die-hard college basketball fan or just tuning in for the excitement, March Madness is a must-watch event. With so many games packed into such a short period, it can be hard to keep track of everything happening. But with the key dates in mind and a few underdog teams to root for, you’ll be ready to take on the madness and enjoy all the excitement that March offers.