Bodog Beat

They say nobody remembers who finishes second. (AP Images)

But that’s patently not true in college hoops, where simply reaching the later rounds of the NCAA Tournament is like joining an exclusive club. Everyone covets Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and especially Final Four membership.

This year’s Final Four features two No. 1 seeds facing a pair of relative upstarts – although it’s hardly stunning to see No. 2 Michigan State and No. 3 Villanova making it all the way to Detroit’s Ford Field. They’ve combined to go 30-6 SU and 24-12 ATS since Jan. 25. Your bracket should be in good shape if you have the Spartans or Wildcats as a contrarian pick to win the title.

That being said, we’re not going out on a limb in predicting that the North Carolina Tar Heels (-7.5 against Villanova) and the Connecticut Huskies (-4 against Michigan State) will move on to the championship game. For the best in March Madness betting head over to the Bodog Sportsbook.