With March Madness fast approaching, fans should look for the best players. Here are five players to watch for in the NCAA Tournament.

March Madness is fast approaching, and every team, from the top 5 ranked teams to little-known mid-majors, is scratching and clawing for position. As the tournament gets closer, fans need to know what players will impact the competition most. Let's look at five players to watch this NCAA Tournament.

Dalton Knecht | Guard, Tennessee

A 6'6" senior guard out of Thornton, Colorado, Dalton Knecht took the long way to big-time Division I basketball success. Originally a guard/forward hybrid, Knecht was undersized for that latter position at 6'4" after his senior year. As a result, he didn't receive an offer from a Division I school. So, Knecht spent a year at Northeastern Junior College, growing another two inches. He was a late bloomer, going from 5'8" his sophomore year of high school to 6'1" as a junior, 6'4" as a senior, and eventually 6'6" as a freshman at Northeastern Junior College.

The growth spurt and a big sophomore season that saw him average 23.9 points and 7.5 assists got him an offer to Northern Colorado, where he averaged 20.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a senior. He received an extra year of eligibility due to the shortened 2020 season, making him one of the hottest prospects in the transfer portal, eventually landing with Tennessee. The 5th year senior has combined experience and toughness to become one of the best scorers in the nation, averaging over 20 points per game and leading the Volunteers to a top 5 ranking in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll. Tennessee is a favorite among the best online sportsbook platforms. Knecht will surely be a factor come March, with Tennessee keeping an eye on a #1 seed.

Cam Spencer | Guard, Connecticut

Another senior guard, Cam Spencer, took a similar route to Knecht. Not highly recruited, the 6'4" guard wound up at Loyola (Maryland) after failing to make ESPN's top rankings. The small Patriot League school was the only Division I offer on Spencer's table.

After a solid junior season, Spencer was named a first-team All-Patriot league player and transferred to Rutgers for his senior season. Like Knecht, he took advantage of the extra season of eligibility and transferred one last time to UConn to play his 5th season with the defending NCAA Tournament champions.

It took a while for Spencer to come alive, but he has been vital in the second half of the season, bringing versatility and toughness to a UConn team on track for a #1 seed. The Huskies are attempting to be the first repeat champions since the 2006–07 Florida Gators, and Spencer will need to be in peak form for them to have a shot.

Kyle Filipowski | Center, Duke

Duke landed Kyle Filipowski in the 2022 class, a consensus five-star recruit as a 7'0" center. Unlike Knecht and Spencer, Filipowski is the type of player you expect to see on a list like this, coming in at #7 on ESPN's 2022 recruiting rankings. However, we expected to see less of him. As a freshman, Filipowski was named the ACC Rookie of the Year, the second-team All-ACC and the ACC tournament MVP. He averaged 15 points and just under nine rebounds per game and was projected as a first-round pick in the NBA Draft.

Despite that, he returned to Duke for his sophomore season, a decision that has paid off for the Blue Devils. Filipowski is averaging 17 points and eight rebounds per game, leading the way for a #10 ranked Duke squad attempting to redefine itself after the retirement of the legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Blue Devils will need Filipowski firing on all cylinders as the tournament approaches.

RJ Davis | Guard, North Carolina

RJ Davis is no stranger to the spotlight. The point guard is a former McDonalds All-American and nearly led the 2021–22 Tar Heels to another national championship. While he didn't have the draft resume Filipowski had, he still opted to return for his senior year to finish his college career off strong.

North Carolina is a top-10 team in the country and could be poised for a long tournament run. For that to happen, Davis will need to be their guiding light and leading scorer, something he did with a career-high 42-point performance in a 75-71 win over Miami on February 26.

Zach Edey | Center, Purdue

After a dominant junior season, Zach Edey was named the 2023 National College Player of the Year and won several more awards last season, including the Big Ten Player of the Year and being named a consensus first-team All-American.

The center is destined to be an NBA lottery pick, but following last year's Purdue squad being just the second No. 1 seed in NCAA history to lose to a 16-seed, Edey returned for one more season.

Edey and the Boilermakers are attempting to do what the Virginia Cavaliers did in 2018–2019: win the national championship the year after being upset as the #1 seed. If Purdue is going to do it, Edey will have to lead the way.

What To Expect From March Madness

The NCAA Tournament is inching closer, and fans can expect a thrilling slate of games. What can we expect? If we have learned one thing about March Madness, it can't be predicted. These players, though, will undoubtedly play a significant part in the action.

It's that time of year again. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is right around the corner, and fans everywhere are wondering which team has the best shot at winning it all. We've got the latest March Madness odds, so read on to see who the experts pick to take home the title in 2023.

Houston

Houston basketball has had a strong season, and all eyes are on them to win the coveted March Madness 2023. With the best odds of victory at +600, it's clear why they are favored to win the tournament. While other teams certainly have excellent players and valuable experience, Houston has demonstrated impressive tenacity and unparalleled skills, which give them an edge in this competition—especially considering their deep understanding of team play.

Their strong defense makes them formidable to any opponent. So as Houston prepares for the big game and against the toughest competition, many experts agree that they have what it takes to take home another championship title for the city.

Kansas

The Kansas basketball team looks like one of the strongest contenders for the championship title this year, with superior odds currently standing at +750. Led by experienced veterans and emerging stars, the team has far exceeded expectations and boasts a roster that gives other teams plenty to worry about.

Team chemistry is clearly on display in every game, and the Kansas statistical powerhouses have consistently outperformed opponents. With such strong form, it's no surprise that fans already anticipate a victory for their beloved team. The stakes are high, and we can only wait in anticipation to see if the championship title will end up coming home to Kansas this season.

Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers have had some impressive performances so far this season and are quickly emerging as potential contenders to watch. Despite being one of the longest shots on the betting boards with +1200 odds, they boast a solid roster and have already upset several top-tier opponents within the Big Ten Conference.

As they gain confidence and sharpen their skills throughout the remainder of regular season play, don’t be surprised if you start hearing more about the Purdue Boilermakers closer to tip-off!

Arizona

The Arizona Wildcats are certainly making some waves this season, and with their impressive record so far, they’re right up there amongst the top contenders. With odds of +1300 to win the championship this season, they come in at fourth place - a testament to the team’s competitiveness and determination across all positions.

While the competition is tough, this squad has already gone up against some of the nation's most formidable opponents and emerged victorious, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if they continue to make a splash in conference play. Time will tell if these hard-working Cats have what it takes to make a serious run for the title.

Connecticut

Connecticut has a real chance to go all the way at this year’s competition, with odds of +1400 for them to take home the title. Considering its track record, Connecticut stands out as one of the most promising contenders for this championship.

Famous for its impressive lineup of experienced players, a strong coaching staff, and an emphasis on both skill development and team spirit, it's not hard to see why they are in the running. While they will undoubtedly face stiff competition in 2023, Connecticut is certainly one squad you should watch closely throughout their journey.

As a sports fan, you can't miss the NCAA Tournament. Think of it as the Super Bowl, but with 67 games to look forward to instead of just one. Sixty-eight teams play in seven rounds of the NCAA Tournament, known as March Madness.

March Madness is tipped to begin on March 15 with the First Four games. The first round begins proper on March 17.  Excitement is already building around the tournament - both for sports enthusiasts and bettors.

March Madness betting works the same way as the other basketball games. The lines and game totals are provided when the teams are disclosed. Due to the high level of competition and the presence of some of the country's best teams, it may be hard to get an edge over the books.

What's the Deal with March Madness Betting?

Betting on the NCAA Tournament is similar to betting on other basketball games. March Madness Betting Odds take on a whole new level of excitement when you include the high stakes tournament format and the greatest institutions in the NCAA.

During Selection Sunday, oddsmakers start to put out brackets with point spreads, totals, and other March Madness wagering lines for the First Four and Round of 64 games.

During the tournament, bookmakers quickly set betting lines for the following slate of games up to and including the National Championship game, altering their odds to reflect the current form and matchup advantages.

Common Ways to Bet on March Madness

1. Point Spread

Oddsmakers calculate each NCAA tournament game's point spread to maintain an appropriate level of competition for both teams on the field. Point spread bets need the underdog to win outright or lose by less than the allotted spread to cover and win the bet.

During the first few betting rounds, higher-ranked teams may meet lower-ranked opponents, like as No. 1 vs. No. 16 matches. The spreads will narrow as the tournament progresses and the level of competition increases.

2. Over/Under

The over/under is betting on the total amount of points each team is expected to score in their NCAA Tournament matchups. Gamblers may wager whether the final score will be higher or lower than the sum stated.

Oddsmakers believe that college basketball totals are one of their most challenging markets to book. They become even tougher during March Madness due to foreign opponents, different styles of play, and quick turnarounds in each round.

3. Moneyline

Moneyline is the simplest bet in March Madness, which involves picking a winner. Each team's Moneyline value is assigned based on the implied probability of winning the game outright.

When a higher seed takes against a lower seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Moneyline odds get higher. Because of the many shocks throughout the tournament, Moneyline underdogs are a popular gamble during March Madness.

Other Ways to Bet on March Madness

As March Madness betting has grown in popularity, there have been more ways to wager on the NCAA Tournament, from long-term to quick and thrilling bets.

1. The Futures

When betting on long-term outcomes, like who will win the National Championship or reach the Final Four by winning a specific region, you’re placing "futures" wagers.

You can place futures bets during March Madness, and the odds are continually changing based on the outcomes, injuries, and betting activity.

2. Props

Alternative bets, such as props (or proposition bets), are made for not having typical markets. If you want to make a wager on the NCAA Tournament, you may use March Madness props that focus on individual performances by teams or players based on statistics and occurrences.

Prop bets such as how many teams from one conference will make it to the Sweet 16 or how many of them dubbed "Wildcats" will make it to the Round of 32 may be found for wagering.

3. The Derivatives

You can bet on derivative odds in the first half of March Madness games.

As a result, these markets are evaluated only based on the first-half total combined points earned by the opposing team. Bettors may find additional value in derivative odds when it comes to team patterns and speed of play.

Where is March Madness Betting Available?

One of the busiest periods for online sportsbooks is March Madness. March Madness odds are available at every betting site, but the best ones are safe and secure, have a wide variety of deposit options, and provide a large range of markets for each game. Get a feel for the best March Madness betting options in your region.