We wait all year for the excitement of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. 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.

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

NCAA Tournament Betting Picks

Saint Peter's vs. Tennessee Betting Odds

Date and Time: Thursday, March 21st, 9:20 pm ET

Spread: Tennessee -21.5 (-105)

Total: 129.5

Moneyline:

• St. Peter's: +2000
• Tennessee: -7000

Saint Peter's vs. Tennessee Statistical Breakdown

Advanced stats from KenPom, Bart Torvik and numberFire.

Saint Peter's

• numberFire Ranking: 208th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 200th
• KenPom Ranking: 188th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 76th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 305th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 338th

Tennessee

• numberFire Ranking: 6th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 7th
• KenPom Ranking: 7th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 3rd
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 29th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 79th

Saint Peter's vs. Tennessee Best Bet

Saint Peters +21.5 (-115)

This is obviously a mismatch on paper with a 2 seed going up against a 15 seed. It's not just any 2 seed, either, as the Tennessee Volunteers are tied for fifth in odds to win the college basketball championship on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Tennessee's calling card was being one of the strongest defensive teams in the country. They were third in defensive efficiency. Their offense wasn't as good, ranking only 29th.

There is reason to believe the Saint Peter's Peacocks can keep this game close -- or at least close enough to cover the spread. Like the Vols, Saint Peter's is much better defensively than offensively. They are actually a respectable defense, especially compared to their dreadful 305th-ranked offense.

The Peacocks like to play at an incredibly slow tempo, something that can help keep the game close. Their pace was 338th in the country out of 362 Division I teams. Tennessee doesn't play too fast, either, ranking 79th in tempo.

If there isn't a lot of back-and-forth action, it's more likely the game stays close. That would favor Saint Peter's chances of covering the spread.

The model on numberFire likes Saint Peter's +21.5 in this game, giving the bet four stars out of five.

Saint Peter's vs. Tennessee Prop Bet

Both Teams Not to Score in First Two Minutes (+112)

This game has a lower total than most others in this round of the tournament. Given that we expect this game to play at a slow pace, they are less likely to come out guns blazing than other teams.

We could see Saint Peter's have early-game jitters on this big stage. They are already one of the worst offensive teams in the tournament.

Getting better than even money on this, it's a bet that makes sense with the style of these two teams.

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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.