2021 ACC Tournament Odds & Picks: Georgia Tech Makes Best Bets at Sportsbooks

by Matt Schmitto (schmitto) Last Updated 2021-03-17 14:49:12

March is here and the madness is right around the corner. We’re just days away from Selection Sunday, which will be preceded by a slew of conference basketball tournaments. Tipping off in Greensboro, N.C., with three games scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, the ACC Tournament will be the first of the Power Five conferences to begin. Here’s a look at ACC Tournament odds, betting picks, and the schedule of events throughout the week.

[Read More: Best Bets for March Madness]

2021 ACC Tournament Odds

All college basketball odds referenced herein are from BetMGM Sportsbook, accurate as of Monday, March 8, 2021, unless otherwise stated.

2021 ACC Tournament Details

Where: Greensboro, NC
Round 1: Tuesday, March 9 (3 games)
Round 2: Wednesday, March 10 (4 games)
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 11 (4 games)
Semifinals: Friday, March 12
Championship: Saturday, March 13

IT’S TOURNEY TIME.

More details » https://t.co/inOSoKNtLw pic.twitter.com/QeSzJhyjCd

— ACC Men’s Basketball (@accmbb) March 7, 2021

Consisting of all 15 ACC teams, the conference tournament has five rounds, giving six teams first-round byes while the top four seeds receive double-byes while they await their quarterfinal matchups.

This means longshots who play in the first round have to win five games to take home the title, while the top four seeds only need to win three.

ACC Tournament Betting Picks

As you likely already noticed, ACC Tournament betting odds at online sportsbooks don’t exactly correlate with the seeding for the tournament, which is why it’s important to consider seeding when making your ACC Tournament picks.

Georgia Tech +1600

One way to take advantage of this format is by picking Georgia Tech to win the ACC Tournament. Despite sitting sixth in terms of odds, Georgia Tech doesn’t have to play until Thursday when they face the winner of Clemson vs. Pitt/Miami.

Even more encouraging is Georgia Tech’s KenPom rating, which suggests earning the double-bye wasn’t merely a matter of a few lucky breaks. The Yellow Jackets are ranked no. 31 in the nation according to KenPom, putting them ahead of every ACC team other than Virginia (no. 12) and Florida State (no. 14). UNC does fall closely behind at no. 32, while Clemson and Duke come in at no. 38 and No. 41, respectively.

On the other hand, Virginia Tech also has a double-bye yet is no. 47 in KenPom ratings while carrying substantially shorter odds (+700).

Georgia Tech is on UVA’s side of the bracket which makes things a little more difficult, but I would much rather take the Yellow Jackets at these odds than Virginia Tech. Of course, if you’re a Virginia sports bettor you won’t be able to bet on either in-state school.

Georgia Tech has proven they can compete with the big boys, losing by only two points at Virginia earlier this season. In fact, the Yellow Jackets join the Cavaliers as the only two squads who have multiple players named to the First and Second All-ACC teams.

Moreover, Georgia Tech forward Moses Wright was named ACC player of the year Monday morning after scoring 18 points and grabbing 8 rebounds per game this season. Georgia Tech guard Jose Alvarado helps stretch the court for the offense, scoring 15.5 ppg while hitting at a 40.6% clip from the arc. It’s safe to say they the have talent to run the table in the ACC Tournament.

You can bet on Georgia Tech +1600 at BetMGM despite them being as short as +1000 at FOX Bet and FanDuel.

[Bet Georgia Tech +1600 to Win the ACC Tournament at BetMGM!]

Duke +2000

I’m not a Duke fan, but it’s still tough to grasp the reality that Coach K and the Blue Devils are actually set to miss the big dance. After being blown out by the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, it appears Duke’s fate will be determined by their performance in the ACC Tournament — and it’ll take more than a couple of wins if they want to be in the field of 68 next week. If they’re left out, it will be the first time since 1995 that Duke hasn’t played in the NCAA Tournament.

The good news is that Duke will play on Tuesday against Boston College. Even though Duke only beat BC by one point on Jan. 6, I expect Duke to open as nearly double-digits favorites at sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM. If they win, they’ll face Louisville on Wednesday as they try to avenge a pair of regular-season losses to the Cardinals and advance to play Florida State in the quarterfinals.

Duke hasn’t given us much reason to believe in them this year, but I have a feeling they’re going to make a run in the ACC Tournament. Worst case scenario a +2000 bet will give me something to sweat starting Tuesday.

[Bet Duke +2000 to Win the ACC Tournament at BetMGM!]

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