Betting suggestions for 2023 conference Champ Week

7:30 AM ET Dalen CuffESPN Champ Week is currently upon us, the buzzer beaters, dreams

realized and hopes rushed all in a moment. The joy of success and the agony of defeat impacts those in the arena and us with money on the contenders. The smaller conferences have already provided some drama but the power conferences are about to go center stage, and we’ll concentrate on them here too. Picking conference winners while in league play are a few of my favorite future bets. Conference competitions on the other hand, can be really challenging with the one and done nature, successive games and different level of desperation based on if and where you are in the projected NCAA Bracket. But as my sibling once said incredulously while looking at a racing form”I hate every horse in this race, but what am I not going to bet it ?! “Chances from Caesars Sportsbook ACC Favorite: Duke Blue Devils(+270)Cuff: This

conference is the biggest wild card of all the

power conferences, shown by Duke( the No. 4 seed) having the longest odds of any conference favorite. The story is that the ACC stinks, but that’s incorrect and lazy analysis. While the back end is horrible, there are quality groups on top end although nobody has actually separated themselves. Because of that absence of dominance, I believe there are five to six teams that could win this. Miami( +350)and Virginia (+350)are routine season co-champs. UVA isn’t elite defensively and count on making jump shots too much for my taste to win three games in 3 days. North Carolina(+700)will need to win this tournament to enter into the big dance in my opinion, but regardless of the desperation, I just don’t think they’re good enough to do it.Miami and Duke are probably to money but they’re on the same side of the bracket. Duke is playing their best basketball however need to play Pitt in the quarterfinal. I believe Miami’s course is easier, so I ‘d lay my cash on the Hurricanes. That stated, the r eal value play that will likewise get some money is NC State(+1200). They’ve got NBA level guards, a large in DJ Burns and can make shots. They’re on the weaker side of the bracket and with that price are an excellent longshot play.Cuff’s pick: NC State(+1200 )Big Ten Favorite: Purdue(+145)Cuff’s picks

: Indiana (+600 )

, Northwestern(+1000)I called Indiana a Jekyl and Hyde group, and that remains true. The inconsistency in the conference is shocking and indicate a lot

of mediocrity as reflected in the predicted NCAA competition seed lines and variety of bubble teams(Rutgers, Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State). Purdue separated from the bunch however had a hard time down the stretch losing four of their past 8 games. The Freshman guards of Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith are good however issue me as they can be pressured and struggled to handle a game. In spite of the front runner, they’re in a harder side of the bracket with some matches that might be more troublesome. Indiana (+600)is where I’m going to go. I like their path, Trayce Jackson-Davis is a monster and Jalen Hood-Schifino, regardless of his inconsistency is an NBA guard and not many teams in this league can state that. Indiana guard Trayce Jackson-Davis is among the very best players in the country as the Hooisers look to make some noise in the Big 10 competition. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)I also will put some money on Northwestern( +1000). They’re a No. 2 seed that has been neglected all year. Very good backcourt, highest protective turnover rate in the league and with that rate worthwhile of some cash.Big 12 Favorite: Kansas (+250)Cuff’s choices: Kansas(+250), TCU( +600 )The Big 12 is the reverse of the Big Ten. There are elite teams

everywhere and 8 of their 10 teams could go to the NCAA competition with 5 potentially top 4 seeds. The Jayhawks won this league outright which was so remarkable. In spite of losing their last trip at Texas, it’s hard for me to refute Kansas with how they have actually played as of late. They won nine of their previous 11 games and Big 12 tournament remains in their home away from home in Kansas City, Missouri. With a cost of +250, I like some money on them, Texas (+350)is a strong play too however as I look at the chances, I believe TCU (+600)is likewise intriguing. The Horned Frogs play at an electrical speed, can actually safeguard and do not depend on 3-point shooting which can help in a multiple-day competition setting. It’s worth a shot on the Horned Frogs but this is the hardest competition to handicap.Men’s Tournament Obstacle Total your bracket by choosing the winner for each game of the 2023 men’s NCAA tournament. Play Competition Difficulty Big East Favorite: UConn(+220)Cuff’s choice: Marquette(+350)

I believe this is going to be an actually enjoyable competition on the planet’s Many Famous Arena. Nevertheless, I believe among the top 3 betting favorites will cut

down the nets. The preferred UConn(No. 4 seed), regular season champs Marquette(+350)and No. 3 seed Creighton(+250). Xavier(+500) are the No. 2 seed however will lack their leading scorer and arguably crucial player, Zach Freemantle for the remainder of the season. Despite how excellent Villanova( +1000 )has actually been since late I do not think they can win 4 games in 4 days. The No. 1 seeded Golden Eagles have a fantastic advantage with St. John’s(+4000)or Butler (+15000 )in their quarterfinal compared to the Huskies playing Providence (+1800 )who they lost to earlier this year. On the other side of the bracket Creighton’s most significant challenge will be that quarterfinal in a most likely match with Villanova who are a bad compare for them and simply beat the Bluejays on Feb. 25 by 12 points. I believe it’s Marquette or UConn and I’m going to lean the much-disrespected Marquette to add to their routine season title.Pac 12 Favorite: UCLA( +135) Cuff’s choice: Arizona (+190)UCLA and Arizona (+190)are plainly the 2 finest groups in this league and it’s not close. The Bruins are superior to the Wildcats and revealed that in their last getaway, managing every element of the game en route to a nine-point triumph. Nevertheless, that game have cost them. Jaylen Clark, perhaps the best protector in the

country and UCLA’s second leading scorer, might be out for conference competition and more after suffering an Achilles injury. The Bruins struggle to score sometimes and losing their finest protector will be a substantial loss.

Even if Clark is readily available, I ‘d question if the team simply decides to rest him for the Big Dance. I’m taking Arizona now as I think of that price will boil down and they might become the preferred if Clark is ruled out.SEC Favorite: Alabama (+150)Cuff: Alabama has actually been the very best and most constant group in the SEC up until the previous three weeks. They’ve struggled strongly in first halves and fought back to win three of their past four games. Prior to this swoon in type, I would have said to bank on Bama. But while the Crimson Tide are still the play, let’s rip through a couple of others. Tennessee( +400)is too offensively restricted and losing their finest and most innovative guard, Zakai Ziegler, takes them out of the

running.

Missouri (+2500 )

is the No. 4 seed but they’ve been too irregular far from home, as have Arkansas (+1500)and Auburn(+1600 ). Texas A&M(+550) is the No. 2 seed. The Aggies just beat Bama and might be great value. Kentucky freshman guard Cason Wallace is a future NBA prospect leading a Wildcats group that wants to play spoiler to Alabama in the SEC tournament. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images This may be fool’s gold, but I think Kentucky (+350) will get some cash if Cason Wallace is healthy. He missed their last game which was a commanding win at Arkansas. Wallace is the only sure-fire pro on their roster so if he’s playing, I’m in.