2023 men's NCAA tournament picks - Friday cheat sheet

Expanding sports betting legalization has furthered gambling conversations but the NCAA tournament bracket has remained a staple for decades. Even before the landmark 2018 Supreme Court ruling, the Big Dance annually generated action and excitement. Much like Super Bowl props, the bracket enables even casual fans to discuss a form of gambling.

Brackets are routinely busted, as handicapping the tournament is a different animal, particularly when you compare it with the most recent games. Schools are coming off conference tournaments, which involve familiar opponents and playing on consecutive days. However, the tourney creates foreign matchups and environments, lending itself to more unpredictable outcomes.

• Betting Cheat Sheet for Friday • Betting Tips for First Round • How to bet the Men's Tourney • Betting Trends for Men's Tourney • Betting Tips for Women's Tourney • Women's First Round Odds and Lines • Betting March Madness: Everything you need to know

Plus, the playing field is becoming more level, as demonstrated by the betting odds. Since 2005, we have seen only three point spreads of at least 30 points. In the decade prior to that, there were 15 such spreads, including a 46-point line in 1999.

«College basketball is just so much more balanced now. There are more teams that can compete on a nightly basis,» Ed Salmons from the Westgate SuperBook told ESPN, speaking to the growing usage of the 3-pointer. «A lot of teams that didn't make the tourney are more than capable of winning a couple games.»

Another indication is the advancement of lower seeds. A 15-seed has reached the Sweet 16 in each of the past two tournaments, including Saint Peter's last year reaching the Elite Eight. The Big Dance lends itself to