The NCAA Men’s Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. That March, the N0. 12 seeded Kentucky Wildcats knocked off the No. 5 Washington Huskies. Since that tournament, the 12-seed has won 51 times against the 5-seed. In fact, the 12-seed has won at least one first round game in 31 of the last 36 years.
It has become a focal point of everyone’s brackets. No. 12 seeds have won 35% since 1985. The 12 vs. 5 craze probably reached its height in 2019 when three No. 12 seeds (Liberty, Murray State, and Oregon) won their opening games in the tournament. Bettors have cashed tickets on the underdogs routinely of late as the 12-seeds have gone 16-7 ATS since 2018.
Jay Croucher (@croucherJD), Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) and Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) broke down the 2023 NCAA Tournament from a variety of angles, including a look at each 12 vs. 5 matchup.
Betting the NCAA Tournament
South Region: No.12 College of Charleston Cougars vs. #5 San Diego State Aztecs -5.5 O/U: 141.5
“An upset here would certainly bust my bracket as I have the San Diego State Aztecs going quite far…this total looks way too high at 141½.” said Dinsick.
(Read More: Searching for this year’s Cinderellas)
Midwest Region: No. 12 Drake Bulldogs vs. No. 5 Miami Hurricanes -2.5 O/U: 147.5
“Miami’s not taking care of the ball as well as they did last year,” warned Dalzell. “…Drake is definitely live to win this game. The spread was 5½ on Selection Sunday is already down…”
East Region: No. 12 Oral Roberts vs. No. 5 Duke Blue Devils -6.5 O/U: 146
“Everyone’s all over Oral Roberts…but I think the Duke Blue Devils are one of the ten best teams in the country,” proclaimed Dalzell.
(Read More: Betting the NCAA Tournament No. 1 Seeds)
West Region: No.12 VCU Rams vs. No. 5 St. Mary’s Gaels -4.5 O/U: 122.5
Dinsick likes the upset in this one.
“This one’s tough but I’ve gotta go with the Rams over St. Mary’s even though St. Mary’s has an elite offense…VCU absolutely with the horsepower defensively.”
NCAA Tournament Best Bets
When pressed for their Best Bets in the 12 vs. 5 games, Dinsick took Drake on the ML against Miami and Dalzell stayed true to a team he has cashed tickets with all season - the VCU Rams, on the ML over St. Mary’s.
You can find more Brackets and Betting videos on the NBC Sports YouTube page as well as on Bet the EDGE weekdays wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
Enjoy the games and enjoy the sweat.