March Madness is one of the most watched sporting events in the world. It is packed with upsets and underdog stories.
Even if you are usually looking to bet on NBA games, don’t be afraid to try your hand at the NCAAB Tournament this month. There is invariably value to be found throughout the rounds. March Madness is box office, with so many players looking to play their way up the draft boards of NBA franchises.
Here are five NBA prospects to look out for in 2024 March Madness:
Bet365, one of many betting apps with live streaming, price Kentucky at 20/1 to win the Tournament. All eyes will be on Reed Sheppard during March Madness, with many projecting the 6’3 guard as a lottery pick.
Reed Sheppard all by himself 💥 pic.twitter.com/0bM5d3aTsU
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 29, 2023
With the upside of an elite defender in the NBA, Sheppard will be keen to show scouts that he can handle point guard duties full-time. His playmaking and isolation scoring can be hit-and-miss. Stay with BetZillion through March Madness to see how he gets on.
It’s almost two decades since a team won back-to-back titles. UConn have a real shot at ending that drought, with many bookies making them among the favourites.
Stephon Castle missed a chunk of the season with a meniscus injury, but he’s fully fit and ready to have a major role if UConn are to go on a run to the Final Four.
Steph is the only unanimous selection to the @BIGEAST All-Freshman team‼️ pic.twitter.com/yL6bJ7YKAX
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 10, 2024
With great size for a guard, Castle is a talented defender and a good playmaker. The shot is inconsistent, though, which could hold his team back.
It doesn’t take much to talk yourself into Ja’Kobe Walter’s potential. A 6’5 wing with a 6’10 wingspan, Walter has good defensive instincts on and off ball, plus he’s effective as an off-ball shooter or pull-up threat.
The concerns as he transitions to the pros are about his playmaking, handle and athleticism. He’s also the kind of player who could see his stock rise markedly during the Tournament, particularly if Baylor can go on a long run.
Movement shooting is Dalton Knecht’s premier skill. There are similarities with Max Strus, such is Knecht’s ability to hit shots from all over the court, which he has paired with smart off-ball movement to take advantage of how opponents guard him.
Like Strus and countless other lights out shooters, though, Knecht gets targeted defensively. A lack of athleticism leaves him at an inevitable disadvantage, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with teams going at him during March Madness.
The second Kentucky player on this list, Rob Dillingham has drawn comparisons to Trae Young. Dillingham can catch fire as a scorer, but he’s equally a Young-esque turnstile on defence.
ROB DILLINGHAM SHOWTIME 🙀 pic.twitter.com/cMg9G5Apnw
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 22, 2023
That combination will make front offices wary, and could give him a Sixth Man ceiling in the NBA. At the moment, there are concerns he’s more of a microwave scorer than a starting point guard. At 6’1, he needs to exhibit unselfishness if teams are to view him as a lead guard.
