Looking for a low-risk, high-reward pick to win the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament? Look at Notre Dame.
The Irish (19-2 straight up) are posted at 75-to-1 odds at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook to win the championship, and Notre Dame has a chance to shorten those odds by beating Duke (17-2) at the Joyce Center on Wednesday.
There’s an obvious reason for hesitation. The Irish have reached the NCAA Tournament nine times under coach Mike Brey and have advanced to the Sweet 16 only once (2003). A few signs, however, say this team might be different.
Notre Dame is balanced. Four players average double-digit points, including star point guard Jerian Grant (17.1 points per game). Guard play always carries weight in the tournament, and the Irish have that with Pat Connaughton (13.9) and Demetrius Jackson (13.4) supporting Grant.
The numbers line up. Notre Dame leads the nation in effective field-goal percentage (60.0). The Irish are the only Power 5 conference team shooting 50 percent from the field (.521), 40 percent from three-point range (.400) and 70 percent from the free-throw line (.723).
Notre Dame’s only losses are a six-point loss to No. 3 Virginia (8-to-1 odds to win the title) on Jan. 10 and a one-point loss to Providence (1000-to-1) on Nov. 23. The Irish’s wins against ranked opponents are North Carolina (30-to-1) and Michigan State (100-to-1).
A win against the Blue Devils would elevate Notre Dame’s chances in the eyes of bettors.
Even if the Irish lose to Duke, they’re worth a small investment at the bet window. Notre Dame opened the season at 200-to-1 to win the national championship. It might seem like a foolish bet considering Brey’s history, but it’s also the smart bet that could pay off big in April.
