Latest news with #FOXSportsResearch
Fox Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Who Are The 10 Best Multi-Sport Athletes in History?
Although playing multiple sports at a professional level is not as common today as it was in the past, that doesn't mean there isn't an incredible history of athletes doing just that. After all, professional athletes have a rare ability on the field, court or ice. They are gifted beyond belief. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, both of whom just missed this list, are great examples. They were both excellent basketball players before deciding football was their future. That said, FOX Sports Research compiled the list of the 10 best multi-sport athletes in history. What are the 10 best multi-sport athletes in history? 10. Marquise Goodwin One of the fastest people in the world, Goodwin ran a 4.27 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2013, the third-fastest time in combine history at that time. That speed would do him well, helping push him to 18 career receiving touchdowns in his 10-year NFL career. Goodwin was also a star track athlete, qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in the long jump, while also impressing in the 60-meter dash. His best performance came at the 2008 World Junior Championships; he claimed gold in both the long jump and the 4 x 100-meter relay. 9. Kyler Murray Everyone knows Murray has skills on the football field. He has been successful at the college level, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018, and was drafted first overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. However, he easily could've pursued a baseball career. In 2018, Murray was selected ninth overall by the Athletics but chose to stick with football. With that, though, he became the first player to be selected in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts. 8. Brian Jordan A name not often mentioned, Jordan delivered in both football and baseball. He began his professional sports career by playing safety for the Atlanta Falcons from 1989 through 1991 before making a full-time switch to baseball. Jordan would eventually become an All-Star in 1999, when he hit .283 with 23 homers and 115 RBI for the Atlanta Braves. 7. Jackie Robinson Robinson, a baseball star who broke the game's color barrier, is an icon far bigger than any one sport or performance. That said, he had a ton of success during his college and professional career. He became a Hall of Famer after an 11-year MLB career. He was an NCAA champion in the long jump, while also lettering at UCLA in four different sports (football, basketball, track and field and baseball) — the first and only Bruin to ever have achieved this feat. 6. Jim Brown Arguably the greatest NFL player of all time, Brown was far more than just a star running back. Aside from his nine years in Cleveland and eventual ticket to Canton, Brown also made the Lacrosse Hall of Fame with standout performances in both high school and in college at Syracuse. Moreover, he also excelled in both basketball and track and field, showcasing his power and speed combo. 5. Charlie Ward Ward was a tremendous athlete and showed it on the field. His best year in football came in 1993 for Florida State, when the star signal-caller earned nearly all the major awards a QB could get, while also capturing the Heisman Trophy and leading the team to a national championship. The next year, Ward was selected 26th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Ward went on to play 11 years in the NBA. 4. Bob Hayes As if being a star football player wasn't enough, Hayes also delivered as a track and field star. He won a gold medal in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competing in the 100-meter dash and the 4 x 100-meter relay. Those gold medals, combined with his 11 seasons in the NFL and eventual induction into Canton, make him one of the most decorated athletes in history. 3. Bo Jackson If you asked people to name the greatest multi-sport athlete, most would instantly think of Jackson, who was a legend at Auburn. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 and eventually turned that into becoming a College Football Hall of Famer, as well as the first overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. He would play four years with the Raiders at the same time as he was playing for the Kansas City Royals. His baseball career lasted four years longer, as he ended up playing professionally in the majors for nine seasons, making one All-Star team and the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame. 2. Jim Thorpe A true triple threat, Thorpe did it all. An Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon and pentathlon, Thorpe also played eight years in the NFL. During his time in pro football, he earned a spot on the NFL All-Decade team and was a first-team All-Pro. All that eventually led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thorpe wasn't done there, though. He also managed to fit a six-year MLB career in as well. 1. Deion Sanders If Jackson isn't the first answer most think of when asked for the best multi-sport athlete, Sanders is undoubtedly the next most common one. He was anything but common, however. Sanders had wheels like no other and dominated on the field, playing 14 years in the NFL. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 and claimed two Super Bowl titles in his career. His success in both pro and college would earn him a spot in both Hall of Fames. Sanders managed to work in a nine-year MLB career as well. He also ran track for Florida State while at school. Honorable mentions: Shaun White Gene Conley Kirk Gibson Antonio Gates Tony Gonzalez John Elway Danny Ainge Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Which 10 Players Have the Most Home Runs in MLB History?
Home runs are one of the most enjoyable things to witness in baseball. They are certainly the most effective and positive outcome, a sign that a hitter perfectly timed a pitch and hit the sweet spot. Players who can consistently hit a high volume of home runs are some of the most adored and coveted assets in MLB. That said, who has had the most success at hitting the ball out of the park? FOX Sports Research compiled the list! 10 players with the most HRs in MLB history 10. Frank Robinson: 586 Robinson had immense power from the moment he stepped into the majors, hitting 38 home runs and winning Rookie of the Year in his first season. He continued to display that consistent power, riding it to his first MVP award in 1961. He then peaked in 1966, hitting a career-high 49 home runs and leading the league with a .637 slugging percentage. After playing 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Robinson helped Baltimore win the World Series in 1966 and 1970. 9. Sammy Sosa: 609 The only thing Sosa didn't accomplish during his career was winning a World Series. Arguably the greatest slugger in Chicago Cubs history, Sosa made five straight All-Star teams from 1998-2002 and was named NL MVP during the 1998 season. That year, he hit a career-high 66 dingers and followed that up with 63 home runs the next season. 8. Jim Thome: 612 Thome and Sosa fought for the home run crown year after year in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Thome's 22-year career helped him to climb the ranks of this leaderboard, but he was able to sustain his power nearly the whole time. His best seasons came from 2001 to 2003 when he 45 or more home runs in each season. He remains Cleveland's all-time home run leader with 337 over 12 seasons. However, José Ramírez, who's currently at 269, could catch him. 7. Ken Griffey Jr.: 630 Griffey Jr. is one of two Seattle Mariners to be named AL MVP, with the other being Ichiro Suzuki. Griffey did so in 1997 when he set a career-high mark of 56 home runs and batted in a league-leading 147 runs. He hit 56 home runs in the following season as well. Griffey complemented his dynamic power with unlimited range in the outfield as one of the greatest center fielders of all time. 6. Willie Mays: 660 If Griffey was a great center fielder, Mays might have been the absolute best. He set the standard for a five-tool player with basket-catches and diving snags, while hitting moonshots from the batter's box. Mays led MLB in home runs in three separate seasons — when he hit 51 in 1955, 49 in 1962 and 52 in 1965. He won MVP during that 1965 season, as well as another in 1954 when he helped the then-New York Giants to a World Series victory. 5. Alex Rodriguez: 696 Best known for his tenure with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez showcased the most power during his three seasons with the Texas Rangers. He led the AL in home runs every season he was with the team, hitting 52 in 2001, 57 in 2002 and 47 in 2003. He was named AL MVP during his final season with the Rangers and won it twice more with the Yankees. While his power began to take a slight dip after 2007, he finally won a World Series in 2009 with New York. 4. Albert Pujols: 703 Pujols was the epitome of consistency, never exceeding the 50-home run mark in a single season but sustaining power across his entire career. He was easily the St. Louis Cardinals' best player of all time, making the All-Star team during nine of the 11 seasons he played with them. He won back-to-back NL MVP awards in 2008 and 2009, while leading the league in home runs that latter season with 47. He helped the Cardinals win their two most recent World Series in 2006 and 2011, before leaving for the Los Angeles Angels in 2012. 3. Babe Ruth: 714 Ruth is widely considered the greatest baseball player of all time. He was the whole package — a slugger on the field and an impactful player off the field. He was the centerpiece of one of the most significant trades in MLB history as the Boston Red Sox moved him to their rival, the Yankees, after five seasons. He ultimately led the majors in home runs 10 times after joining the Yankees and helped the franchise win four World Series. 2. Henry Aaron: 755 Aaron was MLB's all-time home run leader for 33 seasons after surpassing Ruth in 1974. He played for the Braves in all but his final two seasons and helped them win their first World Series in 1957, when Aaron was named NL MVP. 1. Barry Bonds: 762 Not only does Bonds hold MLB's all-time home run record, but he set the single-season record when he hit 73 in 2001 with the Giants. Bonds was a superstar prior to coming to San Francisco, as he won two NL MVP awards with the Pittsburgh Pirates before his arrival, but his power reached a new level once he changed franchises. He won four consecutive NL MVP awards from 2001 to 2004, giving him the most of all time with seven total. Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
What Are the 10 Best Sports Moments Representing Team USA?
For as long as there have been sports competitions between countries, the United States has always put together amazing efforts, leading to incredible successes and iconic moments. No matter the sport or competition, Team USA has some memorable leaders who have led the country to seismic wins and monumental upsets. The history of Team USA's play is incredibly rich with talent. If you ask someone what the best performance from the U.S. is on the world stage, you'll likely get a few different answers. That said, FOX Sports Research is here to help sort through the Americans' undeniably rich and successful history. 10 Best Team USA Performances 10. Michael Johnson at the 1996 Olympics Johnson delivered an all-time Olympic performance in 1996, becoming the first male athlete to claim gold in both the 200-meter and 400-meter races. That would even undersell his dominance. Johnson, at the time, would set an Olympic record in the 400-meter race, winning by nearly a full second. 9. Landon Donovan's goal at the 2010 World Cup vs. Algeria Few moments can match the pure adrenaline and excitement of Donovan's 2010 World Cup goal. With the U.S. needing a win to advance, Donovan came through. With just one minute of stoppage time added to the end of the match, Donovan came up with the game-winner, sending Team USA to the next round with one emphatic kick. 8. Carli Lloyd's hat trick in the 2015 World Cup Final vs. Japan One of the most efficient performances in World Cup history belongs to Lloyd. In the biggest match of the year, she delivered, punctuating the final with a hat trick — in just 16 minutes of game action. That 16-minute hat trick is a record for the fastest in a World Cup, and Lloyd is one of only two players to score a hat trick in a World Cup final. 7. Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympics There's no possible way to do any better than Spitz did in 1972. After feeling like he had a subpar performance in the previous Olympic run, Spitz crushed it in 1972. He competed in seven swimming events in those Olympics and won all seven, doing so by setting a world record in each of the contests. 6. Simone Biles at the 2024 Olympics The hype around Biles returning to the Olympics in 2024 was at an all-time high, and she delivered. In the end, she finished the competition with four medals, three golds and one silver. Moreover, that gave her an eye-popping 11 medals in her illustrious gymnastics career, one that leaves her as the most decorated American gymnast of all time. 5. Michael Phelps at the 2008 Olympics Driven by his determination to better the performance of Spitz in the Olympics, Phelps had his eyes on the prize in 2008. He competed in eight different swimming competitions, collecting gold in all eight of them, while setting world records in seven of them. His eight gold medals are still the record for the most for an athlete in a single Olympics. 4. Brandi Chastain in the 1999 World Cup Final vs. China Perhaps the most indelible image in sports history, Chastain came through clutch in the 1999 World Cup, which was played on the home soil of the United States. With the final game pushing all the way to penalty kicks, Chastain stepped up and drilled the game-winner to seal the home victory for the team and country. 3. "Dream Team" at the 1992 Olympics The 1992 Olympics marked the first time that NBA players were allowed to suit up for their home countries. That year, the U.S. put together one of the greatest rosters of all time. The squad consisted of 12 players, and 11 of them went on to make the Professional Basketball Hall of Fame. The "Dream Team" easily won the gold medal, beating opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game during the tournament. 2. Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics At a time in history filled with turmoil, Owens was a shining star. He showed up for the U.S. and delivered with four track and field gold medals, setting three Olympic records and one world record over the course of those four events. Owens became the first track and field athlete to collect four or more gold medals in a single Olympics. 1. "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Olympics This one needs no introduction. The Soviet Union was considered the international powerhouse for ice hockey and deemed unbeatable, while the U.S. was a scrappy group of junior players — a team no one thought could contend with the full roster of Soviet Union pros. Team USA was down 3-2 entering the final 20 minutes before netting two goals in the final frame to seal the 4-2 victory, birthing the now-famous television call, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" Honorable mentions: Keri Strug at the 1996 Olympics "Redeem Team" at the 2008 Olympics Katie Ledecky at the 2024 Olympics Stephen Curry at the 2024 Olympics vs. France Check out all of our Daily Rankers. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Get more from Summer Olympics Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Who are the top 10 most dominant stars to make the cover of Madden all-time?
Every summer, the Madden cover athlete is revealed and generates an incredible amount of hype. Who will it be? That buzz lasts for most of the summer until the game comes out, and then soon after, actual football is upon us, with the NFL's regular season usually starting very soon after the release of the game. This year, Saquon Barkley was named to the cover— reigning Super Bowl champion and the newest member of the 2,000-yard single-season rushing club. Being picked for the Madden cover is a huge accomplishment. Only the best players make it there, and sometimes, an all-time great player is picked for the cover – think Barry Sanders in 2014. The game's release dates back to the late 1980s and has picked up steam every year since. That is a lot of star power for the game's cover. So, who are the best cover athletes to be picked? With that question in mind, FOX Sports Research compiled a list of the top 10 Madden cover athletes as we head into the 2026 version of the game. Top 10 Madden cover athletes of all-time 10. John Madden (1988-2000, 2023) The only coach on this list and fitting that it's the coach the game is named after. Madden was an elite coach, but also delivered in the broadcast booth and his games helped integrate everyone from young children to older adults into the world of football. He is the person who has been on the cover of the game the most (and rightly so), but his coaching acumen was a big reason why it made sense. The Hall of Famer claimed 10 or more wins in five of his last seven seasons on the sidelines, while also winning his lone Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1976. 9. Brett Favre (2009) The true definition of a gunslinger, Favre was a prolific passer for a staggering 20 seasons in the league (19 as a starter). He won three consecutive league MVP awards from 1995 to 1997 — he's still the only player in league history to win three straight. From a statistical standpoint, he ranks fourth all time in passing yards (71,838) and fourth in passing touchdowns (508), and he's tied for the second-most wins (186). For the postseason, he cracks the top five in passing yards and touchdowns, while being one of only eight quarterbacks ever with 13 wins. He led the Packers to a Super Bowl title in the 1996 season 8. Ray Lewis (2005) A banner year for Lewis, the hard-hitting linebacker claimed his second, and what would prove to be his last, Defensive Player of the Year award in 2003. It was also well deserved, with the thumped collecting six interceptions that year, more than he had in the previous two seasons combined, and racking up 163 tackles, the most he had in four seasons. For his troubles, he also earned MVP votes, finishing sixth in the voting. 7. Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald (2010) Multiple cover athletes! Two legends graced the cover for the 2010 version of the game. This choice, of course, came off the incredible Super Bowl where the Steelers squeaked past the surging Cardinals to claim another Lombardi Trophy. Still, they chose two all-timers for this one. Fitzgerald posted 1,431 receiving yards off his 96 receptions, and led the league with 12 receiving touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Polamalu had seven interceptions, 17 passes defended and 73 tackles to his credit. It was a bold choice, but befitting the performance for both in Super Bowl XLIII. 6. Marshall Faulk (2003) Faulk earned his place on the cover from his do-it-all abilities and for helping lead one of the best offenses the game has ever seen. His 2001 season, which earned him the cover spot, was his fourth consecutive over 1,300 rushing yards, and it was his third straight year he led the NFL in yards per attempt. Moreover, it was also the third straight season he finished in the top two in MVP voting. He won the honor in 2000, but was runner-up in both 1999 and 2001. In 2001, though, he would settle for Offensive Player of the Year and a selection to the AP All-Pro First-Team 5. Rob Gronkowski (2017) Perhaps the best tight end ever to grace the gridiron, Gronk had the second-most receiving yards in a single season in his career prior to being named the Madden cover star. The burly receiver snagged 72 catches to pair with 1,176 receiving yards, in addition to being an absolute force blocking in the run game. That led him to be named to the Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro, solidifying his standing as a top TE in the game. 4. Calvin Johnson (2013) Johnson's best year actually came the year his game released, with 2012 marking the season he set the single-season receiving yard mark. Despite that, his 2011 was still incredible no matter how you slice it. His 1,681 receiving yards were the most in the league, averaging 105.1 per game. He was also able to find the end zone an average of one time per game, finishing with 16 touchdowns on the year. He would earn a Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro for his troubles. 3. Drew Brees (2011) Brees' career was statistically undeniable. He and Tom Brady are the only two quarterbacks to throw for 80,000 career yards, Brees' 571 touchdown passes are the second-most all-time, and his 172 wins rank fourth. Brees made a whopping 13 Pro Bowls and led the league in passing yards seven times in his 20-year career. In the 2009 season, he led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title — against Peyton Manning's Colts — and was MVP of the game. Brees twice won Offensive Player of the Year. 2. Barry Sanders (2014) An NFL legend makes his way onto the Madden cover. Barry Sanders was, and maybe still is, the most elusive back to ever suit up in the NFL. The Lions legend is remembered by everyone and for good reason. He led the NFL in rushing yards four separate times, averaged over 100 yards per game in four different seasons and finished his career averaging 99.8 yards per game. One of the most fascinating cases as well is how he left the game. Sanders collected the MVP award in his second to last season in the league and powered his way to 1,491 rushing yards in his final season for Detroit. 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (2022) It was always going to be the 2022 game, which could, when all is said and done, feature the two greatest QBs of all-time. Moreover, they also met in the Super Bowl for the 2020 season, with the game taking place in 2021. That, of course, was when Tom Brady and the Bucs dismantled Mahomes and the Chiefs 31-9, giving Brady yet another ring for his historic career. Both QBs had their greatness on full display for 2020 though, with Brady tossing 40 TDs and accumulating 4,633 pass yards while Mahomes added 4,740 pass yards and 38 TDs. Honorable mention Michael Vick (2004) Lamar Jackson (2021) Josh Allen (2024) Christian McCaffrey (2025) Saquon Barkley (2026) Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 March Madness first-round betting trends, NCAA Tournament odds
It's the most wonderful time of year, as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament , affectionately known as "March Madness" to most, starts this week. This will be the 86th edition of the tournament and the 40th since expanding to 64 teams in 1985. Given the numerous upsets over the years, FOX Sports Research took a deep dive into the numbers to find you the best first-round and tournament betting trends. We dissected how teams performed against the spread (ATS) and straight up (SU) to give you the information needed to make some successful wagers throughout the first week. Let's dive in. Underdogs have a slight edge against the spread (ATS) in the Round of 64 If it feels like underdogs have done well in the first round in recent years, it's because they have — especially from a gambling perspective. Since 2015, they've gone a whopping 149-133-3 ATS (52.8%). Seventy-eight of those underdogs actually won their respective games straight up (SU), which is significant considering the number of mid-majors and small programs that compete. Below, we've outlined how underdogs have performed historically since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985: Underdogs are 610-595-25 ATS (50.6%) and 311-919 SU (25.3%) in the Round of 64 all-time. Double-digit underdogs are 244-243-7 ATS (50.1%) and 38-456 SU (7.7%) in the Round of 64 all-time. Currently, the 20+ point spreads in the Round of 64 feature Alabama (-22.5) vs Robert Morris, Houston (-28.5) vs. SIU Edwardsville, Auburn (-32.5) vs. Alabama State, Duke (-31.5) vs Mount St. Mary's, and Florida (-28.5) vs Norfolk State. Teams that are 20+ point underdogs in the Round of 64 are 91-85-3 ATS (51.7%) and 4-175 SU (2.2%). Teams that are 30+ point underdogs in the Round of 64 are 9-14 ATS (39.1%) and 0-23 SU. Specific seed vs. seed matchups in Round of 64 Expanding a bit more on the first round, here is a breakdown of some interesting trends with double-digit seeds. You might be surprised at how successful the lower seeds have been in recent years: A 12-seed has won 55 first-round games since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. In 12 of the past 16 tournaments, at least one 13-seed has beaten a No. 4 seed. In six of the past 12 tournaments, a No. 14 seed has beaten a No. 3 seed; however, only two No. 14 seed has defeated a No. 3 seed in the last five tournaments (2021 Abilene Christian defeated Texas; 2024 Oakland defeated Kentucky). In six of the past 12 NCAA tournaments, a 15-seed has beaten a 2-seed, but none won last year. Double-digit seeds are 528-541-22 ATS (49.4%) and 245-846 SU (22.5%) in the Round of 64 since the Oregon- VCU game in 2021 when Oregon advanced due to COVID-19 issues. Excludes the Oregon- VCU game in 2021 when Oregon advanced due to COVID-19 issues. That being said, it would be unfair not to point out some of the glaring losing streaks that many of the small conferences hold, as these are the schools that usually obtain these double-digit seeds. Horizon League schools are 1-11 in the Round of 64 since 2012, with the lone win in that span coming from Oakland against Kentucky last year.15th-seeded Robert Morris, the lone Horizon League team in this year's tournament, faces Alabama, the No. 2 seed in the East Region. 15th-seeded Robert Morris, the lone Horizon League team in this year's tournament, faces Alabama, the No. 2 seed in the East Region. Big Sky schools are 3-35 in the Round of 64 all-time, with the last win coming from Montana in will look to win again, as they are the lone Big Sky school in the tournament this year— and will face three-seed Wisconsin. Montana will look to win again, as they are the lone Big Sky school in the tournament this year— and will face three-seed Wisconsin. Colonial Athletic schools are 0-11 in the Round of 64 since 2013, with the last win coming from VCU (now in the Atlantic 10) in 14th-seeded UNC Wilmington Seahawks are the lone Colonial Athletic team in the field this year, facing third-seeded Texas Tech. The 14th-seeded UNC Wilmington Seahawks are the lone Colonial Athletic team in the field this year, facing third-seeded Texas Tech. Big South schools are 1-28 in the Round of 64, with the lone win coming from Winthrop in lone Big South school in this year's tournament is 13th-seeded High Point, which takes on 4-seed Purdue. The lone Big South school in this year's tournament is 13th-seeded High Point, which takes on 4-seed Purdue. Bet on these coaches to cover in the Round of 64 It could be argued that coaching matters more in college basketball than in any other sport, and that notion is accentuated even more in the tournament. There are six coaches in this year's tourney who rank in the top 20 all-time in cover rate for Round of 64 games (minimum 10 games coached in round): Matt Painter: 12-4 ATS (75%) in the Round of 64, tied for the best of any coach all-time (Rick Majerus was 9-3 ATS in Round of 64). No. 4 Purdue takes on High Point, looking to make another run in the tourney after losing in the title game last year. Dana Altman: 9-4-2 ATS (69.2%) in the Round of 64, the fourth-best of any coach all-time. No. 5 Oregon will take on No. 12 Liberty as 7.5-point favorites, the Ducks' ninth tournament appearance under Altman. Bill Self: 14-9-1 ATS (60.9%) in the Round of 64, the 14th all-time. The No. 7 Jayhawks will take on 10th-seeded Arkansas as 5.5-point favorites despite having lost three of their last five games. Scott Drew, Greg McDermott: both are 7-5 ATS (58.3%) in the Round of 64, tied for the 15th-best among all coaches all-time. Drew will lead Baylor against Mississippi State as one-point underdogs, while McDermott will lead Creighton against Louisville as a 2.5-point underdog; both of these matchups are No. 8 vs No. 9 games. Tom Izzo: 14-11 ATS (56%) in the Round of 64, the 19th best among all coaches all-time. The Spartans are in their 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament under Izzo, which is tied for the second-longest streak in NCAA history. They are a two-seed and 17.5-point favorites against 15-seed Bryant. No. 1 seeds dominate in the Round of 64 AND in the title game While we've focused on the Round of 64, we also wanted to give you a quick overview of what characteristics national champions display. Since seeding began in 1979, 27 No. 1 seeds have won 27 national championships, the most of any seed. The rest of the other seeds have combined for just 18 titles. That means 60% of national champions since 1979 were top seeds. In fact, six of the past seven national title winners and 13 of the past 17 champions were No. 1 seeds. In the Round of 64, they're almost perfect, going a whopping 154-2 SU (98.7%) and 81-73-2 ATS (52.6%) since 1985. The only 16-seeds to defeat a top seed are UMBC, who took down Virginia in the 2018 tournament, and the Fairleigh Dickinson team that took down Purdue in 2023. Other notable trends Since the First Four was introduced in 2011, a team that won in the First Four has made it to the Round of 32 in 12 of those 13 tournaments— including two teams to make the Final Four (2021 VCU, 2024 UCLA.) Gonzaga is 19-11 ATS (63.3%) and 16-14 SU (53.3%) in the tournament when playing as a No. 5 or worse (the Zags enter the tournament as a No. 8 seed); they have also made the Sweet 16 in nine consecutive tournaments, four shy of tying the modern record held by North Carolina and five shy of the all-time record held by UCLA. Rick Barnes is appearing in his 29th NCAA Tournament; in the previous 28, his teams lost in the first weekend (Round of 64 or Round of 32) 19 times. Dan Hurley is 15-3 ATS (83.3%) and 14-4 SU (77.8%) in the NCAA Tournament as a head coach; that is the highest cover rate of any coach since 1985 (minimum 15 games coached). Since 1985, a double-digit seed has made the Sweet 16 in all but two NCAA Tournaments (1995, 2007). No team west of the state of Texas has won the NCAA Tournament since 1997, when Arizona took home the title that year. KenPom trends KenPom has become one of the most respected college basketball analytical tools since its debut. The site takes into account various metrics to measure the offensive and defensive efficiencies of every Division I basketball team. Looking at the pre-tournament KenPom data, there are a few interesting trends. Firstly, 22 of the last 23 national champions ranked in the top 21 of adjusted offensive efficiency (2014 UConn lone exception). Twenty of the last 23 national champions ranked in the top 31 of adjusted defensive efficiency (2009 North Carolina, 2015 Duke, 2021 Baylor). So, using the 2024 pre-tournament KenPom rankings, below are the eight teams that fit the bill of ranking in the top 21 of offense and top 31 in defense — with odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook (as of March 20th): Duke: +320 to win title (bet $10 to win $42) Florida: +380 to win the title (bet $10 to win $48) Auburn: +400 to win the title (bet $10 to win $50) Houston: +600 to win title (bet $10 to win $70) Tennessee: +2200 to win title (bet $10 to win $230) Alabama: +2200 to win title (bet $10 to win $230) Iowa State: +4500 to win title (bet $10 to win $460) Gonzaga: +5000 to win title (bet $10 to win $510) Wisconsin.: +6000 to win title (bet $10 to win $610) Again, this isn't a strict measure, as teams can get hot — like several teams mentioned above in parenthesis. But it is a good indicator of which teams might be worth a title bet prior to the tournament starting. Duke is the current favorite to win it all (+320), but it's worth noting that 10 of the last 11 title winners all had odds greater than +450 entering the tournament (last year's UConn team was +350 prior to the first round). And before that, Kentucky in 2012 was the last team to have shorter odds, closing at +185 before their first game. It's also worth noting that all 23 national champions in the KenPom era (since 2001) were ranked in the top 25 of overall adjusted efficiency. All nine of the teams above rank inside the top 13 of this year's pre-tournament KenPom data. So who are you betting on? recommended Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
