RedEye tracked the wagers of three Chicago residents who were in Las Vegas for the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.
In general, you would have made money if you followed their advice; they were 50-for-74 with two pushes on their wagers and all three hit on more than 50 percent of their bets. Northern Iowa was an underdog that paid off for each while Michigan State, well, we know how that turned out.
Here’s a look at all their bets and how they fared:
FIRST ROUND, DAY 4
More Top Picks Cool Mist Vs Warm Mist Humidifier
Scott Boruff, 33, Lakeview
Villanova vs. Iowa: Over 68.5 1st half … paid
Expect a track meet to start the game. It should settle down in the second half after some coaching adjustments.
Notre Dame vs. Stephen F. Austin: Stephen F. Austin +1 … push
The Lumberjacks demolished a very good West Virginia team. Battle-tested and hungry, I expect them to keep rolling against the Irish.
Oklahoma vs. VCU: VCU +6 … paid
Buddy Hield and the Sooners will be too much the Rams to win the game, but VCU has covered seven of their last 10 while OU hasn’t covered in eight out of their last 10.
Syracuse vs. Middle Tennessee: Syracuse -3 1st half … paid
The magic of MTSU will wear off, and they won’t be as amped for this game as they were for Michigan State nor will they be able to sneak up on the Orange. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim will watch the tape, make the adjustments and have his team ready to come out firing.
Maryland vs. Hawaii: Hawaii +7.5
The Rainbows have one heck of a team, and Maryland is similar to the team they just beat in the first round (California). Expect at least a cover in this one too.
Texas A&M vs. Northern Iowa: Northern Iowa +7 … paid
Riding the momentum from their last-second win in the first round, the Panthers will keep this one close.
Xavier vs. Wisconsin: Xavier -2 1st half … paid
The Badgers just aren’t a great first-half team, and Xavier should be able to dictate pace from the tip.
Oregon vs. St. Joseph’s: St. Joseph’s +6.5 … paid
This should be a high-scoring game, but I think the Hawks are up to the challenge. St. Joseph’s adds another cover to itsresume while also shocking the world and taking down a No. 1 seed!
Day 4 record: 6 for 7 (one push)
Overall: 34 for 46 (two pushes)
SECOND ROUND, DAY 3
Scott Boruff, 33, Lakeview
Miami vs. Wichita State: Miami +2 … paid
Vegas and the public love the Shockers, and rightfully so. But let’s keep in mind they beat Vandy and an overrated Arizona squad. Hurricanes roll here.
Duke vs. Yale: Duke -6 … paid
Wow, prep school dreams are made of these. Dukies roll and win by 13.
Kentucky vs. Indiana: Indiana +3.5 … paid
Indiana, our Indiana, Indiana, we’re all for you. IU wins this by 12.
Iowa State vs. Arkansas-Little Rock: Iowa State -6.5 … paid
I know ISU scores points, but stay away from the over here. Cyclones and their seniors win by 11.
Virginia vs. Butler: Under 130.5
First team to 50 wins.
Kansas vs. Connecticut: Kansas -4.5 1st half … paid
UConn may cover via the backdoor here, but KU should at least cover in the first half after a dunk with 15 seconds in the first.
Utah vs. Gonzaga: Utah pick ’em
Utah’s Jakob Poeltl and his team dominate the post and beat the Zags by 7.
North Carolina vs. 9. Providence: Over 151 … push
Guards, guard, guards … points, points, points. Over hits with ease!
Day 3 record: 5 for 7 (one push)
Anthony Bibbo, 30, Bucktown
Miami vs. Wichita State: Wichita State -2.5
Iowa State vs. Arkansas-Little Rock: Arkansas-Little Rock +6.5
Day 3 record: 0 for 2
Overall: 9 for 17
Nate Beal, 35, Lakeview
Miami vs. Wichita State: Miami +2 … paid
Day 3 record: 0 for 2
Overall: 7 for 11
FIRST ROUND, DAY 2
Scott Boruff, 33, Lakeview
Dayton vs. Syracuse: Syracuse +1.5 … paid
Syracuse has a deceiving record because of the nine games they played without coach Jim Boeheim, and Dayton has limped to the finish, covering the spread in only one game out of their past 10.
Villanova vs. UNC Asheville: Villanova -10.5 first half … paid
Villanova will come out strong and dominate the Bulldogs in the first half.
Oregon State vs. VCU: VCU -4 … paid
VCU is tournament-tested and a recognizable name, so everyone will be betting big on them, and so will I. VCU wins by 10.
California vs. Hawaii: Hawaii +4.5 … paid
Cal has a bunch of super talented individuals, but Hawaii is a great TEAM. Reminds me a lot of the Baylor vs. Yale matchup Thursday, and we know how that played out. Teamwork wins out here again, and Hawaii not only covers but also takes home the 4 vs. 13 upset!
Michigan State vs. Middle Tennessee State: Over 143.5 … paid
The Spartans watched Kansas put up 105 points Thursday, and they want to keep pace. I love the over here.
Iowa vs. Temple: Iowa -7
Iowa likes to run and Temple is slow and methodical, so I’m staying away from the over/under here. I think Iowa rebounds from its February swoon and covers the spread against the Owls.
Oklahoma vs. CSU Bakersfield: Under 140
OU will exert its will and keep this game low-scoring. Buddy Hield will have a game-high 23, but not much more scoring to note outside of that.
Maryland vs. South Dakota State: Maryland -10
When Maryland decides to turn it on, it has one of the best teams in the country. The Terrapins will decide to turn it on and hammer the Jackrabbits.
Wisconsin vs. Pittsburgh: Wisconsin -2 … paid
Tale of two seasons here for the Badgers and Panthers, with the Badgers playing best of late. Wisconsin wins by 8.
West Virginia vs. Stephen F. Austin: Stephen F. Austin +8 … paid
More Top Picks Best Pencil Grips For Kids
The WVU press can give teams fits, but Stephen F. Austin is a great offensive team with solid guard play. WVU also struggles to score at times and could find itself fighting an uphill battle in the second half if SFA gets rolling. I like SFA not only to cover but also be in play for another 4 vs. 13 upset.
Texas A&M vs. Green Bay: Over 155 … paid
Green Bay boasts an uptempo offense that can score in bunches. A&M has the horses to keep up with the pace.
Oregon vs. Holy Cross: Over 133.5 … paid
Oregon will struggle in the next round but should have it easy in this one. I think the line is way too low to account for garbage time buckets that will ensue.
Xavier vs. Weber State: Xavier -13 … paid
Harold “The Show” Arceneaux isn’t coming to rescue Weber State in this one. Musketeers by 20-plus.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan: Michigan +3
Riding the rave of momentum from the play-in game, Michigan comes within the last possession of the upset.
Texas vs. Northern Iowa: Northern Iowa +4 … paid
UNI has some big wins against major competition this year, and Texas won’t scare the Panthers. UNI with the outright win here.
St. Joseph’s vs. Cincinnati: St. Joseph’s +3 … paid
St. Joe’s is one of the hottest teams in the country. It’s time for Vegas to recognize. Riding them to the Elite 8.
Day 2 results: 12 for 16
Anthony Bibbo, 30, Bucktown
Syracuse vs. Dayton: Dayton -1.5
Syracuse has struggled toward the end of the season; I like the Flyers.
Hawaii vs. California: Hawaii +5 … paid
Stephen F. Austin vs. West Virginia: West Virginia -14.5
I like Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins, his short-sleeve windbreaker and “press Virginia” defense.
Michigan vs. Notre Dame: Michigan +2.5
I hope Big Blue can continue its recent success.
Northern Iowa vs. Texas: Northern Iowa +4.5 … paid
Day 2 results: 2 for 5
Nate Beal, 35, Lakeview
VCU vs. Oregon State: VCU -4.5 … paid
I think OSU is overrated and the Beavers have a guy hurt.
Middle Tennessee vs. Michigan State: Over 143 … paid
Go Green! Bryn Forbes busts out of his slump and the Spartans roll.
Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin -1.5 … paid
Nigel Hayes goes off and the Badgers win by six.
Northern Iowa vs. Texas: Northern Iowa +4.5 … paid
This team is jelling at the right time, and Texas is up and down.
Temple vs. Iowa: Temple +7 … paid
The game is in New York (not far from Philadelphia) and Iowa has struggled lately, so Temple keeps it close.
Day 2 results: 5 for 5
FIRST ROUND, DAY 1
Scott Boruff, 33, Lakeview
Duke vs. UNC-Wilmington: UNCW +6 1st half … paid
Expect the Seahawks to stay hot (have won 17 of last 19) and hang with the Dukies for the first half. Experience and coaching should even out over the whole game, but UNCW might even be up at halftime.
Texas Tech vs. Butler: Under 147 … paid
These early games on day one are typically lower scoring, and 147 seems too high.
Colorado vs. Connecticut: UConn -3 … paid
Going with experience here and riding UConn’s recent March magic
Iowa State vs. Iona: Over 166.5 … paid
Yes, this is a ton of points, but neither of these teams plays defense. This number is high for a reason, and they may hit it by six minutes left in the second half!
Baylor vs. Yale: Baylor -5
Too much drama surrounding Yale, and Baylor is battled-tested in the Big 12. Staying away from the 5 vs. 12 upset pick here.
Virginia vs. Hampton: Under 131.5 … paid
UVA plays excellent defense and should dominate Hampton. Yes, Hampton can score, but remember, Virginia isn’t Morgan State, Savannah or South Carolina State.
Kansas vs. Austin Peay: Over 152 … paid
Both teams can score in bunches, and Austin Peay struggles to defend. 26 points is big line, and I worry about a backdoor cover, so I’m going with the over instead.
Purdue vs. Arkansas-Little Rock: Purdue -5 1st Half
I think Little Rock makes this close in the second half, but they will have trouble with Purdue’s size to start the game.
Miami vs. Buffalo: Buffalo +14 … paid
Miami will win this game, but beware the backdoor cover.
Indiana vs. Chattanooga: Over 147 … paid
My Hoosiers will come out firing after a week of rest and getting Robert Johnson back. The pressure might give them some fits (and lead to some easy Chattanooga points), but they should be able hit 10-plus 3s en route to the over.
North Carolina vs. Florida Gulf Coast: Over 148 … paid
UNC can really score and FGCU is riding momentum. Expect a track meet here!
Utah vs. Fresno State: Fresno State +8.5
Utah’s Jakob Poetl is a beast down low, but Fresno State has easily covered its last five games. Expect a big game out of Marvelle Harris and in a close contest (if not a win!) by the Bulldogs.
Arizona vs. Wichita State: Wichita State +1.5 … paid
Wichita State has experienced guards, and if used correctly, the play-in game can be a real momentum builder. I expect the Fred VanVleet to dominate Gabe York at the point and the Shockers to continue their drive to the round of 32.
Kentucky vs. Stony Brook: Stony Brook +14
Kentucky will get caught worrying too much about its “wrongful” seeding and looking ahead to the round of 32 matchup with Indiana. The Wildcats will win this game but not before being tested by the Seawolves.
USC vs. Providence: Providence -2
Both teams have dropped off significantly after hot starts. Going with Dunn and Bentil backcourt here.
Seton Hall vs. Gonzaga: Seton Hall +1.5
The Pirates are on fire and beat some great teams en route to the Big East title. Expect the run to continue against an inferior Zags squad.
More Top Picks Best Cigar Lighters
Day 1 results: 10 for 16
Anthony Bibbo, 30, Bucktown
UNC Wilmington vs. Duke: UNC Wilmingon +10.5 … paid
Duke has no depth up front, and I like taking the points.
Colorado vs. Connecticut: UConn -3.5 … paid
Hoping the Huskies can continue their impressive run from their conference tournament.
Iowa State vs. Iona: Iona +7.5
Neither Iona or Iowa State plays great defense, so I am comfortable taking the points.
Purdue vs. Arkansas-Little Rock: Arkansas-Little Rock +9 … paid
Little Rock has the best winning percentage in the nation besides Kansas.
Indiana vs. Chattanooga: Chattanooga +12
Utah vs. Fresno State: Utah -6.5 … paid
Arizona vs. Wichita State: Wichita State +1 … paid
Can’t bet against the Shockers backcourt.
Kentucky vs. Stony Brook: Kentucky -14 … paid
I’m hoping the Wildcats’ talent lives up to expectations and dominates.
Seton Hall vs. Gonzaga: Gonzaga -1
Three-team parlay: Wichita State +1, UNC Wilmington outright win, Arkansas Little Rock outright win
This ticket will pay me 55:1. Might as well create my own lottery ticket and root for the underdogs.
Day 1 results: 7 for 10
Nate Beal, 35, Lakeview
UNC Wilmington vs. Duke: UNC Wilmington +10.5 … paid
Wichita State vs. Arizona: Wichita State money line, +115 … paid
Chattanooga vs. Indiana: Chattanooga +11.5
Kentucky vs. Stoney Brook: Stony Brook +14
Day 1 results: 2 for 4
Editor’s note: Betting odds, money lines and point spreads can vary by casino.