Every March, the upsets and buzzer beaters come thick and fast. So why not add betting to the mix via the college basketball odds at FanDuel Sportsbook?

The 2024 edition of the big dance has arrived, and here at FanDuel Research, we'll have you covered with a betting guide for each game.

Kentucky is one of the nation's top offenses, and they'll tangle with Oakland on Thursday. Which betting angles should interest you?

All college basketball odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook, and lines may change after this article is published.

NCAA Tournament Betting Picks

Oakland vs. Kentucky Betting Odds

Date and Time: Thursday, March, 21, 7:10 p.m. ET

Spread: Kentucky -13.5 (-118)

Total: 162.5

Moneyline:

• Oakland: +700
• Kentucky: -1200

Oakland vs. Kentucky Statistical Breakdown

Advanced stats from KenPom, Bart Torvik and numberFire.

Oakland

• numberFire Ranking: 134th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 137th
• KenPom Ranking: 136th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 165th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 135th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 262nd

Kentucky

• numberFire Ranking: 17th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 25th
• KenPom Ranking: 19th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 108th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 5th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 11th

Oakland vs. Kentucky Best Bet

Over 162.5 (-115)

This is a 3-14 matchup that heavily favors the Kentucky Wildcats. The 'Cats perhaps don't deserve a 3 seed, as the rating systems suggest they should be something closer to a 5.

What cannot be denied is Kentucky's offensive profile. They were the fifth-best offensive team in the country. They also played at the 11th-fastest pace. They should have little issue scoring against an Oakland defense that sits just 165th.

Oakland doesn't have many encouraging metrics for them offensively. However, the good news for Oakland is that they will face a UK defense that ranks 108th in the nation.

Kentucky was the best team in all of Division 1 in three-point shooting, making 41.2% from beyond the arc this season. That's helped UK score the second-most points per game in the country. Each of Kentucky's last six games have totaled more than 162 points.

In all, I think we're going to see points. The over is the side I want to be on.

Oakland vs. Kentucky Prop Bet

Reed Sheppard 3+ Made Three Pointers (+136)

I like Kentucky's chances of making a lot of threes and scoring a lot of points in this game, but we can zero in on one player specifically for a prop bet.

Reed Sheppard led the Wildcats' regulars in three-point percentage, hitting from deep at a 52.5% clip. He's made at least three triples in three of his last five games, and that was against SEC competition.

He obviously won't be facing an SEC team in this game. Instead, he'll face an Oakland team that was 288th in three-point rate allowed.

Getting +136 for Sheppard to nail at least three three-pointers is a nice number, especially if we expect this game to go over the total.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.